SERGEANT ROBERT HARRY BEST

SERGT. HARRY BEST KILLED IN ACTION

Eldest Son of Reeve W.J. Best of Welland

His Service on the Field Had Been Rewarded by Promotion and He Was Just About to Leave for England to Take Lieutenant’s Course

[Welland Tribune, 12 June 1917]

LETTER OF SYMPATHY

At the meeting of the county council on Friday morning, Reeve Steele made feeling reference to the bereavement that had fallen upon Reeve Best, and moved that the council stand adjourned until afternoon as a mark of sympathy and respect for Mr. Best. The motion was carried and a committee was appointed consisting of the Warden and others to draft a suitable letter of sympathy to Mr. and Mrs. Best.

Sergt. Harry Best, elder son of Reeve W.J. Best and Mrs. Best, was killed in action on May 22^nd.

Such was the information conveyed in an official telegram from Ottawa on Friday morning.

In his death there is an added tragedy. Brig.Gen. Hill had recommended him for a three months’ absence in England where he was to take out his papers as lieutenant. A fine recognition of his services in the field. At the last moment he was asked to go up the line once more. In the fort-night following he lost his life.

Harry Best will be gratefully remembered by Welland as a young man who made good. Engaged on the customs staff, he might have taken shelter in his employment, but like his brother, Frank, he early chose to follow the flag. He had the ability and his heart was right, so it is not strange his service has been splendid.

His parents and brother and sister have the very sincere sympathy of many friends in the great loss they have sustained. Harry was born in Welland and was 30 years of age last October. He joined the 76^th battalion, spent the summer and autumn at Niagara and the first winter in Barrie and at Easter time last year, went overseas.

Frank was severely wounded in October last, losing one eye and having his left arm permanently incapacitated. When he was released from hospital he joined the Army Corps pay office and he is still on duty.

In a letter written May 4^th, Harry Best said:- “I have good news for you. Some days ago I was called to Brigade headquarters and was questioned by the Brigadier, who was from Niagara Falls (Brig, Gen Hill.) After looking over my papers and coming to my name and address, he looked me over and said, “Are you the son of Billy Best.” The Brigadier signed the papers, and just as soon as they go through Division, I go to England for a three months’ course for a lieutenant’s stars. What do you think of that? “There’s sure strange things happening in France these days.”

Harry and Frank Best enlisted with the 76^th battalion in 1915, going overseas in April 1916. Both were corporals, but when they went to France in July 1916, they gave up their stripes. In September, both were again awarded the corporal’s stripes for carrying in wounded and carrying up rations. In the battle in October when Frank was so badly wounded, Harry won his sergeant’s stripes. Apparently his conduct on the Vimy Ridge battle won a lieutenancy for him as described in the letter quoted above. He had not asked for the promotion.

Following the battle of Vimy he wrote, “My how you all must have worried while our boys were in the thick of one of the greatest battles of the war, and I am sure, that through the dark hours, even though all your loved ones were in danger, nevertheless, that thrills of pride will course through every true Canadian’s veins whenever mention is made of the our lads’ dashing victory.”

The last letter received from him, dated May 14, stated that he had again gone up the line the day before, though apparently he had expected to leave for England before that.

In a letter of May 8, he says:- “We are out of the line for a time and will have a good rest. The weather could not be finer. Today we had a gentle shower and everything growing took on a greener shade. It’s just fine to be able to be about to enjoy the invigorating scenery. One evening before leaving the forward area we went to a wood where daffodils were growing in profusion. These we dug up in patches of soil and took them to the final glorious resting place. We miss the lads, but what is more grand than the thought that they have fought the good fight and have only gone ahead. They live in our memory, the grass and flowers grow around about and the birds sing overhead. They are only resting-our honored dead.”

Now the writer lies in his “final glorious resting place.” In that silent company there will be none who have done their duty with greater courage and valor. It would seem almost as if this letter had been written with the intention of preparing his parents for the news that was so soon to follow.

Robert Harry Best is buried at Petit-Vimy British Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France.