Letters from Lt Colin Douglas Simper to Mrs Irene Simper Wallet 3, Part 1

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WX 20
Lt. Col. R.I Ainslie
2/48 Aust , Inf. Bn
A.I.F. Australia
19 June, 1945.

Mrs. I. Simper,
Belair Road Estate
c/o Blackwood P.O.
South Australia.
Dear Mrs. Simper,

Please accept my sincere and deepest sympathy on the death 
of your husband at Tarakan on the 9th June.
Colin came to this battalion in June last year from G.T.S
and was posted to a platoon in A. Coy where he 

quickly proved himself

a very conscientious and reliable officer. After returning from
his pioneer school he took charge of the pioneer platoon where he
continued to prove what an extremely good officer he was and his loss
has been a great blow to the unit.

The pioneer platoon was holding a very important hill in
fairly close contact with the enemy and it was decided to lay some
booby traps close to the enemy position so that we could get early
warning of his approach. Colin took out a small party to do this
and just as they reached the area in which the booby traps were to
be laid one of his men came under fire. Your husband immediately 
moved forward to help him when he also was hit and badly

wounded. He was very quickly moved to hospital where everything
humanely possible was done for him but he could not be saved and
died the following afternoon.

He was buried in the official War Cemetery by Chaplain
Taylor with others who have paid the supreme sacrifice. A photograph of his grave will be sent to you and his personal effects
have been forwarded and should reach you soon.

Colin was extremely popular with everyone in the battalion 
and his fellow officers in particular his loss was a severe blow.
Please accept again sincere and deepest sympathy on behalf of the

unit and myself and if there is anything further that I can do please
do not hesitate to write to me.

Yours sincerely.
(signed) Robt. Ainslie.

Greater love

hath no man

-than this-

With Deepest Sympathy
and Condolence

in
your sad lass
From Mr & Mrs F Smitt.
 

42 Aver Avenue
Col. Light Gdns.
20.6.45

Dear Mrs Simper,
It is with an aching heart
that I write this letter to you sympathising
with you in the loss of your gallant
husband Colin.
I shall always class
Colin as one of my best friends - we
spent much time together in the
Territory. He possessed such
sterling qualities that I always
admired him greatly. His
steadfastness, honesty of purpose
and his unflinching faith in
those who were honoured to call
him friend and his great love
and admiration for you were
such that I shall never forget
them or him.
I know how you feel for
I suffered be loss of my wife last

year and know what a blank
there is However, a little consol-
ation I can offer - time will
allow you to think of the glorious
times you spent together and what
a fine partner you had.
Having suffered myself
I feel the greatest sympathy for
you and yours. Words cannot
express this adequately.
Believe me
Yours sincerely,
Frank E Shaughnessy