"Private Brandon Platt, son of the late Mr Enos Platt, Golden Fleece Inn, Denshaw, has been killed in action whilst serving with the West Yorkshire Regiment, which he joined over a year ago with Denshaw friends, including Private Tom Hilditch, with whom he remained in close companionship right up to receiving his fatal wound, and whose painful task it was to send the first sad news to the bereaved mother. Under date of July 9th Private Hilditch Wrote:
Dear Mrs Platt, - I don't know how to write and tell you that Brandon was hit by a shrapnel bullet last night and did a short tie afterwards in my arms. We were going to the trench on night work and as he was out the night before with the machine gunners I tried hard to persuade him not to come. It was his wish because I was going and he said he would please himself. We were shoulder to shoulder when it occurred, the bullet going in the shoulder. He never regained consciousness and died in about fifteen minutes, peacefully. All the boys who were in our hut at Skipton send you their deepest sympathy and as for myself I know I have lost the best and dearest pal in the world. Please excuse more, as it is pretty hard just now t think of. Yours, in deepest sympathy, Tom.
The foregoing was received on Friday night of last week. On Sunday Mrs Platt received the following from Lieutenant McGregor, of the West Yorkshire Regiment:
Dear Madam, It is with feelings of deepest sympathy that I write you regarding the death of your son, Brandon. As his platoon officer I came into touch with him almost every day in life and I had many conversations with him, mainly about his friendship for Tom. In this way I got to know him perhaps better than any other man in my platoon, and t know that never a better soldier donned the uniform. Only last night I had held him up to the platoon as an example of what a soldier should be. As to the circumstances of his death Tom has told you all. Needless to say Tom was the first to render him assistance. I have never seen such friendship as existed between these two. He was laid to rest yesterday (July 9th) in the presence of his company officer and comrades. I regret that I was unable to be present as I was hit the same night. Assuring you of the heartfelt sympathy of his officers and all here who knew him, I am yours faithfully, James McGregor, 2nd Lieutenant.
A third letter was received from Private C. E. Heathcote, a Denshaw lad serving with the transport section of the regiment:
It is with deep regret that I inform you of the death of your son, Brandon, who was killed instantaneously according to what the boys say, and he has been buried to-day, July 9th. I feel very much upset over him myself, more so with knowing him so well. I was only with him myself the night before and he seemed all right and in good spirits then.
The body was laid to rest in the cemetery behind the firing line."
At the time of his death he was 24 years old.
He was buried in the Sucrerie Military Cemetery, Colincamps.
