CHAPTER IV

CASES WHERE RELATIONS WERE NOT PRESENT

DURING the Spring of 1917, Miss Dallas, to whom I have already referred, sent me a letter of introduction to a Mrs. B-, an invalid, living in Worcester, whose only son, Sergeant John B-, had been killed on May 22nd, 1916.

The bond of affection between them was exceptionally strong, and his care for his mother was as thoughtful as that of a woman.

Mrs. B- had some belief in communication, and was anxious to have a message from her son, if this were possible.

I tried to write for him on March 20th, 1917, asking him first the written question: "Have you any message for your mother? I have promised to try and get one."

The answer came at once in firm, easy writing: "Yes. Thank you for your kindness. You, mother darling, have been so brave. Miss Dallas was good to you...she is out to help mothers, and you have been blessed. John is your son and no other. My love is greater than ever, because love never falters here. John died in a great cause.... Truth dies never. Death hides from your eyes what it reveals to us. Life is beyond doubt a fund of treasure. John lives, lives in much scope and joyfulness. John waits and prays for you and Dad.... Believe this message, trust the sender. John must give proof. John saw mother take his photo out of the sideboard drawer, fetch a blue frame, and put it in by Dad's on my mantelpiece.... You will see I was seeing your life with my own eyes. You won't be disappointed if I have failed to get this correct, I will try again if you are. This lady has an active mind, and this I must use. It's a help, and a difficulty my great love wraps you round. No more to-day. I will write again if Miss...Lady will be so kind. Mother, adieu.        "JOHN."

This message was sent to Mrs. B-, who replied: "I put an enlargement of his in a green frame, and hung it over the mantelpiece. I may have had it in the sideboard drawer, because I often put photos there till I can frame them."

She added: "He would frequently put, 'You, mother darling' when addressing me in particular...he always said 'Dad.'"

Mrs. B- also asked me, if I were writing again for John, to see if he could give the pet name by which he used to call his sister. The nearest approach to this written automatically was "Cuffie," but the real name was "Kathie."

Names and other words are sometimes written phonetically, and the writing is then not purely automatic, but partly impressional, helped out by clairaudience. This may explain the difference between "Cuffie" and "Kathie."

John B- spoke of having met "William-"Muller"-and "Gunner Hunt."

I wrote to Mrs. B- about these names, and she replied: "A dear chum was killed a few months before John, he was called Williamson. I find that John had a friend named Muller, whether alive or not I do not know."

Letters of enquiry to Canada about Muller have not yet been answered, and may have been lost, owing to war conditions. A friend of John's answered the enquiry about Gunner Hunt; he wrote: "I. think my chum did know a man by the name of Gunner Hunt." Further particulars about Muller were given later by John B- as follows: "Muller was a good man, mother, a lover of truth...his face reminds me of Seller, Jim Seller, you know.... Seller nice chap, good chap, had a way of looking you straight in the face."

Mrs. B- wrote: "There was a boy in John's platoon whom John thought very highly of; he wrote me when he was killed; the name was given; it was like Seller."

Writing later, she said that the name was Syder, and the initial was "J."

A curious feature in one of John's messages was, that he wrote a bar of music after his signature, giving no explanation; I copied. the music and sent it to his mother, who forwarded it to a sergeant, and received his answer: "It certainly wears the aspect of a bugle-call." I reproduce the bar here:

On June 10th, 1917, Sergeant B- wrote:

Did you get up on F- W-? Was the heat too much for you, my best one?""

His mother's comment on this was: "At 4 a.m. on Friday, June 8th, I was awakened by torrents of rain, and thunder; as thunder always upsets me very much, I dressed and came downstairs, and lay on the sofa."

John's care for his invalid mother is shown in almost every message; he added to his remark about the heat and its effect on his mother: "Heat, how strange to me. Can people take in we feel them still, and sympathise? Mother, dear, 'be a little careful this hot weather. Dear, we are near, we are, we are."

As the weather changed in the autumn, he wrote on November 15th, 1917: "Sofa by the window is cold, mother, turn it round as you used to do."

The following remark shows that he was aware of conditions in his old home: "I like the wooden chair with pink cushion.... I like that new curtain in my old room.... My beautiful swell stick, does dad use it now?... My big photo is damp behind, I think... just look, dear.... My watch dad has had mended now at last, mother...dad has been so long away from his garden...those cabbages are a little bigger than they were.

The reference to the garden amused the parents, as they termed it "the wilderness," and Mr. B "never does anything in the garden from choice," according to his wife's account.

Mrs. B- verified the other points as follows:

"I always sit in a high-backed wooden chair; it has a pinkish-looking cushion.... We have some new thick curtains in the sitting-room since John was here.... John once bought it (the stick) for his father's birthday; it is very plain, and very strong.... John may mean to be funny about the stick."

The references to his watch being mended, and the photograph being damp, are explained in this letter from his mother: "His father has had my watch, which John gave me, seen to this summer; it was waiting a long time.... When I was dusting it (the photograph) I thought that perhaps if anyone could not see quite plainly, they might think it was mould (after describing the state of the picture).

John B- enquired once after a friend of his: "Is Hedley still at home?"

The name was apparently wrong, for his mother replied: "Hopley joined the army sixteen months ago."

John once referred to his sister as "Judy," and Mrs. B- wrote: "My daughter tells me that when they were children, they often played a game in which they called each other Punch and, Judy, but it was many years since John called her that."

On June 10th, 1917, just before 8 p.m., I felt a strong impulse to write automatically, but as I had not finished supper, I waited till the meal was over and wrote then.

A message came from Sergeant B-: "May I write? B-," followed by a communication to his mother. I sent this to Mrs. B-, and in her reply she wrote: "At about a quarter to eight p.m., June 10th, I was standing at the open window, and asked him (John) if he heard me, to send a message to you then."

The communication just mentioned contained the following request "Father, be more careful about-"(indicating Mr. B's knee).

His mother wrote: "Mr. B- was not able to take any country appointments, owing to an accident to his knee, and on the 10th of June, the day you wrote, returning from -- he was thinking of and praying for John, and just felt a little of his knee; he does now if he walks too far."

I give next some stray remarks scattered throughout Sergeant B-'s written messages, as they give some idea of his personality; when writing for him, I always had a strong impression of his being a very fine character, and it gave me real pleasure to come into contact with him.

"Mother believes I live, and that is great gain and joy. Must we be hindered, mother, by death? I say no, NO. I will show you of my own free will much revelation, dear,...I yearn to help. I see the men with years of regret weighing them down. Help our boys before they are men.... Dear heart, I see your life still. I need your prayers, for life is growth.... I am only able to give a half-hour now, work calls me, and I must obey. I love you, darling, and I am near. I am so very happy, I your own son."

His mother told me that he used to sing The Rosary, and thought that he took the expression, "Dear heart" from the song; she said that he had many pet names for her.

I have never, up to this time, met Mrs. B-, or anyone connected with her; I have come to know her entirely by letter, and to appreciate her as I appreciate her son.

I must add here that this is the only case in which I have departed from my rule of using pseudonyms, at Mrs. B-'s own request. I had sent her a copy of what was to be inserted in this book, with names carefully changed, and received the following reply from her: "You are quite at liberty to do as you please, but we should like it much more if you called him John (real name) instead. of James (pseudonym). Wouldn't it do if you said John B- and Mrs. B-, also Worcester (real name)? No one would connect it with us unless they were told, and I tell all my friends, and others besides."

Once or twice during 1916, I met a young Mrs. James, and we had some discussion on psychic matters; she asked me later if I would try to get a message, from Dr James, who had been dead for a' year or so; I promised to do so on the first opportunity.

She gave me no information whatever about him, and I had never heard of him before. I should like to make it quite clear, however, that two facts concerning him were known to the friend who sits with me:

(1) His name and profession.

(2) That he died after a long illness in a suburban nursing home; the nature "of the illness was not known to her.

On October 13th, 1916, I was sitting alone, trying to write for Dr James for the first time.

When my friend came into the room later, she noticed the cramped position in which I was sitting, and that I was writing from the elbow, moving the whole of the lower arm; she remarked that the attitude was that of a paralysed person, and owing to the fact that she had nursed a paralysed invalid, she recognised this characteristic at once. A few days later I questioned Mrs. James on this point, and she stated that Dr James had been partially paralysed, and that when he wrote, it was in the manner described; we also compared the script with his handwriting, and it was found to have a striking resemblance.

In my experience, this has rarely happened, although there are marked differences in the handwriting of communicators; it varies in size, regularity, and the amount of pressure used on the pencil.

All the following communications came through on October 13th, 1916: "English must always be good.... English very hard, great labour.... My friend John must help Philip about publishers."

Mrs. James said that this part of the script must refer to a book that Dr James had been writing, and had been unable to finish before his death; her husband (Philip James) had contemplated finishing the book, but was not good at English; his father wrote excellent English, and was particular in this respect.

"John" referred to Dr John Alexander, of -Hospital, London, who was an intimate friend of Dr James.

The rest of the communication consisted of references to his earlier life and friends; we were able to verify these through his daughter-in-law.

Some of his recollections were as follows, and although fragmentary, they were useful for identification.

"James was years ago Surbiton. James was hearing music.... My pew was near Mrs. Arthur M...Gates...Mills.... Years ago I walked past the Gables...My son knew Simpson.... Mrs. Mullins was friend of ours.... My wife was on committees with her.... My wife was very keen about poor ladies."

We ascertained that Dr James used to go regularly to a certain house in Surbiton for musical evenings. He had sittings in St Gregory's Church, Roehampton, a few pews behind those occupied by a Mr. Mills and a Mr. Gates. "The Gables" was. the name of a large house in Roehampton; Dr James used to take his son there when a child, to have lessons with a class of other children. "Simpson" was the son of Mrs. Simpson, who had lived at "The Gables."

"Mrs. Mullins" lived in Roehampton, and was a friend of the family; she was on several committees with Mrs. James.

The statement about Mrs. James' interest in poor ladies was correct. All these allusions were unknown to me.

In the four cases that follow, the communication was entirely spontaneous, and in three out of the four cases the very existence of the communicator was previously unknown to me.

The initiative came entirely from the "other side," and the communication seems to have been sent with the definite object of bringing help to someone still in the earth-life.

In the first case a warning was given, as will be shown. On December 2nd, 1916, I was writing for the friend (deceased) of a Colonel Taylor, who was present, when an unknown name "Taunot" was written, which had no connection with Colonel Taylor or myself, and was consequently ignored.

Four days later, when writing for another stranger, the same name recurred, written this time as "Tauntn" (proved later to be phonetically correct) followed by the words "Feeling sad about Em...y." Variations of this

Name-"Taunnot"-"Taun"-were again repeated on December 10th and 12th, while I was writing for quite different people.

It was proved afterwards that this personality had no connection with any of these sitters. His identification was a great difficulty, and was only discovered by chance some months later.

On December 8th, 1916, "Taunton" wrote: "

I will verify my statement. Taunot...Taylor (the sitter, as on December 2nd, confusion of name here)...will stop Mother going. I am afraid she will meet trouble on the way."

We verified this later as follows: Mrs. Taunton (wife of the communicator, referred to as "Mother") left England about the beginning of December, 1916, for South Africa. She had a very good voyage, but on her journey up country she was in a bad railway accident. Owing to the floods the railway bank subsided. The whole carriage turned over, and she was flung into the mud and water, and strained her leg.

The mention of "Taylor" in the above script caused great confusion, as Colonel Taylor naturally imagined that the warning concerned someone connected with him, and mystified a friend of his considerably by asking if she were planning to take a journey, and if so, advising her to postpone it!

The reference to "Emily" evidently concerned Mr. Taunton's daughter Emily, who before the war was in charge of nuns in a convent in Belgium; since the German occupation, up to 1917, no news of her had been received by the family, in spite of many enquiries. The following message also seems to refer to Emily, as no other daughter was in France or Belgium, but the name given here is wrong:

"Sophie found dead in France."

A few months later he wrote: "Emily will meet me soon.... Emily will be found dead.... Adelaide has a deep sorrow on her mind.... Adel...Taunton...to confess for Lent."

Mr. Taunton and his wife were Roman Catholics, and this was written in the spring of 1917; his wife's name was Adelaide.

These facts and names were quite unknown to me.

Two other fragmentary sentences were given:

"You must find a way news to Lyd...get...Martin...John is with daughter."

Lydia was another daughter, John (deceased) and Martin were friends of the Taunton family.

Curiously enough, "Martin" was introduced to me by letter, as he was interested in Spiritualism I had then no knowledge of his link with the Taunton family, this transpired later.

It may be remembered that Christopher Thompson, the subject of the first chapter, included in his messages the names of various people whom he had met since his death.

He also gave correct information concerning the fate of several fellow-officers reported "Missing" on the same date as himself, although considerable time elapsed before his statements could be verified.

One of those referred to was a brilliant young officer, a Captain Marton, who was mentioned by Christopher in a message on August 9th, 1916: "About Captain Marton, he is over here.... I have seen him...he is happy except for his father."

As in the case of the other officers just mentioned, my only knowledge of Captain Marton was, that his name was on the "Missing" list with that of Christopher Thompson.

On September 5th, 1916, Christopher brought Captain Marton to write, and the message was given: "Marton wants father helped." This referred to Colonel Marton, who was quite broken down after his son's presumed death.

On October 3rd, 1916, Marton wrote, referring to the attack: "Everyone dead; surrendered to the enemy and was killed."

We learnt much later that the whole division was practically cut to pieces.

On October 16th, he wrote, with evident agitation: "I want father helped...send my love only...Cedric has come.... Cedric has come."

The last sentence was in different writing, and we asked: "Who is this?"

The reply was: "Cedric Deam, friend of Marton."

We then enquired of him what we could do to help Captain Marton, and he replied: "Help his father...my coming helps Marton...go to Colonel Marton for his son...you have been good to Marton...Marton was helped."

At this point Marton himself wrote again:

Deam...nice chap.... Ethel so anxious to-day, and Father so ill, and...and...and what can I do?

We asked: Would Ethel believe in communication?

He wrote: "What?"

We explained: "A message from you," and mentioned spirit-communication.

His puzzled reply was: "Spirit? Spirit I say, what do you mean?"

We were also puzzled, and asked: "You have left earth, haven't you?"

His answer was: "Goodness, yes."

At this point Deam again broke in, and wrote: "Marton so agitated, so sorry he can't write."

I then explained to Captain Marton my difficulty (writing this' down) that, as he was only reported "missing" I hesitated to approach his relations with news of his death, more especially as they were entire strangers. He answered: "Quite so. Very sorry I was impatient. Such strain...you will help as you think best. I am relieved. Marton."

Captain Marton's agitation about his father was accounted for by the following facts: Colonel Marton was taken seriously ill in the street on Saturday, October 7th, 1916, and very nearly died. He had a serious relapse on October 14th.

Ethel was the name of Captain Marton's only sister.

These facts were entirely unknown to me.

On one occasion he wrote: "Sylvia was...what made it a way for us.... Sylvia Tam...fresh girl.... I like her...she is so gentle."

This apparently referred to a Miss Sylvia Tanner (deceased) who had been governess to Captain Marton in his childhood; this fact was also unknown to me.

The "Taunton" and "Marton" cases were reported in Light.

Much trouble was taken to identify Cedric Deam, who was eventually proved to be a real person.

He had been killed in France early in the war.

It has never been possible to approach the Marton family, and all confirmation of messages came through acquaintances of theirs.

On October 23rd, 1916, I was writing for the brother (deceased) of a Mr. James Rawdon; the latter was present; he was not an entire stranger, but I knew nothing of his affairs, nor the names of his friends.

Mr. Alfred Rawdon (the brother who had died) gave no information concerning himself on this occasion, but announced through my hand that "'Roger B.M. is badly wounded...you will have to be brave." Clairaudiently I heard him add: "He is dying, or dead," but I refused to let my hand write this, nor did I mention it then to Mr. James Rawdon, the sitter, as I shrink from the responsibility of announcing such predictions, which may prove untrue.

Mr. James Rawdon was greatly surprised at being told that Roger B.M. (whom he recognised at once as his friend Colonel Roger Burn-Murdock) was wounded, as the last news he had received was that the regiment had gone to Ireland.

We learnt later from two sources that Colonel Burn-Murdock was wounded about 9:30 a.m., a few days after the announcement had been written by Mr. Alfred Rawdon; he died eight days later in hospital.

A fortnight after his death Colonel Burn-Murdock himself wrote: "I have estate property, and will leave it to Mrs. Ferg..."

This was corroborated a few weeks later in a letter, stating "Mrs. Ferguson has all the estates. Colonel Burn-Murdock left a codicil which has not been published."

Mr. James Rawdon attended the Memorial service, and during the ceremony mentally asked his friend: "Can you see me in this church, at your Memorial service?"

I was ignorant of this question having been asked, but was impressed to write that day, and received the following message from Colonel Burn-Murdock: "He wants me to say that I was able to see him in Church. Tell him yes."

Two characteristic remarks concerning his parents were interesting from an evidential point of view.

About his father he wrote: "Was Ceylon. Fond of white Te...."

His father had travelled in Ceylon, and had often remarked on the beauty of the white Temples.

In referring to his mother, he mentioned her tendency to rheumatism; he also spoke of the beautiful crochet-work she used to do; both these points proved to be correct.

It was only after the lapse of a year that I was able, with very great difficulty, to obtain verification of most of his messages. Colonel Burn-Murdock's personality was one of the most interesting and advanced of all those with whom I have come into contact through this work. The greater part of his communication was of a very private nature, which cannot be reproduced; much of it was evidential, and was carefully verified; we have only been able to give a few fragments from his messages.

Owing to the fact that this book is published so shortly after the messages have been received, it will be easily understood that many of the most strikingly evidential passages have had to be omitted, out of consideration for the feelings of the surviving relatives.