Dear Second Lieutenant John Kennedy,

I am writing to you as part of a nationwide memorial, it is a great method and project to let our countries of the United Kingdom to voice our thanks and thoughts on such an important topic. You may find it strange that I am writing to you. I have never met you neither have I ever spoken to you. But, I do know your story. I am grateful for what you did and I am sorry. The First World War was truly disastrous and tragic. This is the story I know you were part of.

Even if I only know a minute part of your story I still feel that you and I have a connection. You were part of The Scottish Rifles and passed away in the Border Regiment. You were more than this. Your career centred the proud profession of teaching, you taught at Govan high School. I have, recently, finished my probation year there. To know that we have that small connection makes me happy. You left behind a wife and mother. Though I know these two characters are now silent my thoughts still go out to them, for that period of time where they must have felt a numbing hollowness and loneliness.

As an educated man you will want to know the current situation. There are still wars; as long as differences in opinion exists I doubt conflict will ever become extinct; and, unnecessary deaths continue to stretch across our timeline. Education has changed and adapted. Love is still strong. I care very much for those around me. I too have a beloved lady and a mother who I cannot live without.

I wonder if there is a subconscious connection, a ‘Ghost Army Postal Service’ that continues to bring and take messages, answerable only to Hermes. If this is the case then I know you will receive this message. This seems improbable but who knows what happens after life? My belief system is agnostic, I hope that in some way your spirit lives on. Perhaps you have been reincarnated and have been given other chances for a more peaceful life. I wish and prey that your soul is at peace. I hope that you are not facing the isolation, fear, anger and pain that was seen by yourself and so many others.

We held a memorial for you recently at Govan High. Your name can be seen as soon as you enter the school. It is on a memorial plaque that was unveiled in May 2014. It was a nice ceremony. You were remembered alongside: Private George Alexander Cameron who taught in Harmony Row, Second Lieutenant Alexander Millar Neish a teacher from Copeland Road School, Bombardier Malcolm McKinnon from Ibrox School, Lietenant Ewan Cameron Mackenzie from Fairfield School, Second Lieutenant Hugh Mac Tavish from Rutland Crescent and Private Andrew Bower from Broomloan Road School.

The above names also fell during the war, they were also teachers from the Govan area. As far as our pupils are concerned, they seem to understand and sympathise with names (more so than the understanding of a large number). The number of the deaths that occurred during the Great War is sometimes too difficult to comprehend.

My class wrote something for you. They made it together:

Silent Graves

We will remember

The days of distraught and despair

You made us stronger this day

We will remember

Your sense of right and wrong

Persistence, bravery, loss

Forever and always

That gave us our future

Forever and always

The 11th of November.

Lest We Forget.

I hope a spiritual messenger does exist. If not I am happy in the knowledge that you and so many others are still in our memory.

Kindest regards,

Robert Saleh

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