ROYAL NAVAL HOSPITAL

PLYMOUTH

30^th Sept. 1939.

Dear Mr. Tyson,

Just a few lines to convey to you and your wife

my sincere sympathy on the loss of your son, Robert. I don’t

think I have come across a chap of his age that was more respected

as well as liked by all who knew him. He was a good living lad

and had a simple religion that meant very much to him, and

never more than during those few final days which, for us, were

all to short.

Every effort was made to bring him through his illness; he

had expert medical attention , and I for my part did all I could.

I visited him several times while he was ill and he seemed always

to look forward to my coming into the ward. My only regret is

that a message he sent to me the morning of the day he died I did

not receive, and when I went to see him that evening he was

passing into unconsciousness. I was at his bedside a very long

time that night and his face face lit up when for a brief space

he recognised me.

You may like to know that we held a memorial service for him

in the church yesterday at 11.30. This was attended by all who

knew him, who could be let off from duty. Several Sisters also

came, and some five doctors, including the Surgeon-Rear-Admiral

and his wife. We sang two hymns – “How Bright Those Glorious

Spirits Shine” , and “How Sweet The Name Of Jesus Sounds”. The

coffin was carried into the church by the probationers, and it

remained there after the service until its departure for the

Station in the afternoon. During this period several came in to

pay their last respects.

I suppose it ####################################

So much of him that I feel the loss a very personal one, but I

feel quite sure that he is now happier than any of us who are left

behind and probably knows the answer to much that must puzzle us

owing to our limited knowledge and experience.

Bereavement may affect us in different ways. It can harden

us and deprive us of all real consolation or it can work in us

untold good. It depends upon whether or not we grasp the fact that

in our trouble the main thing is how we face up to it. Even Our

Lord was “made perfect through suffering”.

I pray that God may bless and comfort both of you in your sad

loss.

Yours Sincerely, Chaplain, R.N.H.