From the Hawick News:
L-Cpl John Charters, Gordon Highlanders, who was reported to have died from wounds received in action, is the fifth son of Mr William Charters, tweed warehouseman, Dovecote Street, Hawick. Prior to enlisting, shortly after war broke out, the deceased, who was 22 years of age, was employed at the Glebe Mills. He was a well known football player, being a member of the Hawick 'greens' first fifteen.
The chaplain, writing to Mrs Charters, said: 'In a little talk I had with him he told me about you. We repeated
'The Lord's my shepherd.
Yea tho' I walk in death's dark vale,
Yet will I fear no ill,
For thou art with me'
and after that we had a word of prayer ...The end came soon after. Our great hope and joy is that Jesus Christ has made us certain of the life beyond the grave...Don't think of your boy as dead. Often as you go about your daily work you shall feel he is nearer you more than ever he was before. God bless you and yours in this hour of sorrow.'
John Charters was wounded on 31st July 1917, on the opening day of the Third Battle of Ypres. He was stretchered back some miles to the large Casualty Clearing Station which sat at the railhead at Lijssenthoek.
The following year, Elliot Charters, one of John's brothers, also succumbed to wounds at the front. The Lord had not answered the prayers of the Army Chaplain.
My thanks to Derek Robertson for this information
http://www.members.aol.com/deathpenny1/index.htm
"Deeply regret to report S/5506 Private John Charters 1/5 Gordons died from Gunshot wound to abdomen at 10 Casualty Clearing Station France."