THE CENTURY

Chapter Two

September 18, 1999

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Edwards,

The King and Queen deeply regret the loss you and the army have sustained by the death of George in the service of his country. Their majesties truly sympathize with you in your sorrow. However, it is very important for you to understand that George�s life was a necessary sacrifice in the just war fought against the tyranny that is Germany.

I understand you may ask why Great Britain had to be involved in the war to begin with, so allow me to explain. Regrettably, Archduke Ferdinand allowed himself to be assassinated by that Serbian, Princip, which resulted in Austria-Hungary feuding with Serbia which prompted Russia to aid Serbia; thereby causing Germany to assist Austria; further resulting in France aligning with Russia, which in turn motivated Germany to invade Belgium on the way to invading France. Therefore, it is quite clear that the Great Britain had to become involved.

Your son George was a member of the gallant Yorkshire Regiment. This brave unit was instrumental in many a battle. Of particular note was the battle that claimed the life of your son. The battle lasted nine months and resulted in our valiant fighting force being able to advance almost two miles. The families of the sixty thousand men who also died in this battle are surely filled with pride equal to that which you must be feeling.

George�s commanding officer Lieutenant Spencer spoke highly of your son. It must be noted how generously Lieutenant Spencer, nephew of the honorable Earl of Spencer, donated his time to discuss with us your son�s service. We ask that you please take a moment to pray for the health of Lieutenant Spencer as he recovers from shell shock at his uncle�s country residence.

Lieutenant Spencer recalled how George set himself apart from many of his comrades. Not once, Lieutenant Spencer recalled, was it ever necessary to shoot at George in order to force him to go over the top of the trenches. It was with a deep sense of honor that George charged enemy machine guns, all the while enveloped in a cloud of poisonous mustard gas. Despite his frequent daily trips to the hospital for treatment of severe shell shock, George could always be counted on returning to the mud-filled, disease ridden trenches. Lieutenant Spencer does sincerely regret that after George succumbed to mustard gas his body lay in the trenches for six days. Though, because of the gas and the ever present rats, little remained of your son�s face, Lieutenant Spencer recalled the look of pride etched in George�s eyes.

We wish to inform you that George�s remains are buried in the beautiful valley of Somme; beautiful despite the total destruction of all the surrounding forest and in spite of the hundreds of miles of trenches.

We conclude our remarks on the resounding note that we truly believe that this will be the war to end all wars. To ensure this, his Majesty�s government has every intention, upon our victory, of imposing the direst conditions on the German people. They will surely realize that never again will they be allowed to infringe upon the borders of their European neighbors.

Sincerest Wishes,

N. Chamberlain

Junior Minister, War Department