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| Lashburn Comet, November 29, 1917 It was with mingled feelings that his many friends throughout the district heard the news that Private McArthur Vokins has made the greatest sacrifice a soldier the proudest of epitahps "Killed in Action". Great sympathy is felt for his brother and editor of the Comet and his wife and sister Mrs. W. R. Edwards and husband to whom he was very dear, also his aged Father and Mother in England who have all their other sons fighting for the great cause. Their grief, however will be tempered by the thought of gratitude of those left behind for the sacrifice he has made for them and the Empire at lage and the honour which attaches itself to such a death. Pte William McArthur Vokins #625160 answered the call for volunteers by enlisting at Lloydminster in February 1916 in the 151st Battalion. After training in Alberta until October that year, he proceeded overseas with the Battalion for further training in England, arriving in the firing line March 1917. He was appointed to a particularly arduous and dangerous position as a SNIPER and during this service had many narrow escapes of which he always wrote in a jocular way. He was slightly wounded in August of 1917 but soon rejoined his regiment only to give up his young life in October 1917, and his name appeared on the Casualty List published. November 22, 1917 as "Killed in Action". He was in his 30th year. His many old friends who had looked forward with pleasure to again meeting "Billy" after victory and peace will miss his cheery smile and disposition but feel sure that however great the sacrifice Pte. Vokins gave his life willingly and bravely "May his soul rest in peace" A. E. W. |