In a time when communication is instantaneous, it can only be imagined what receipt of a letter sent in wartime, in this case in the First World War, meant to a family who had earlier learned of the death of a son through the faster medium of official telegram.
It was a situation repeated many times over in both the First and Second World Wars.
The following are excerpts from a final letter home to his parents from Jim McNeece of Collingwood in Invercargill, and published in The Southland Times.
McNeece, All Black no.199, played against New South Wales in 1913 and toured Australia with the All Blacks in 1914. A loose forward, he played 19 games for Southland between 1905 and 1913, twice playing for the South Island in 1913-14. A farmer at Ryal Bush, he played his club rugby for Waikiwi, alongside his brother Alex, a five-eighths usually, but who played every backline position except halfback for Southland across the same years. Jim also played cricket for Southland.
He was 31 when he died of wounds suffered at Messines in Belgium on June 21, 1917.
McNeece said he wrote the letter while in hospital, four days after being wounded, to ensure his parents would know of his fate. He gave it to a nurse to send should he die.
"I have landed a fairly good smack and my temperature is 102, so there are lots of chances for me to pass out this time. Well I might say I faced everything without a shudder, and it was a bit of bad luck I got this.
"It might have been worse. Our officer told me to get into his dug-out and have a few minutes' sleep. I forgot to tell you this was after we advanced on Messines. It's wonderful how a single soul got through.
"Well, I had a couple of hours, so got up to relieve him on our gun. It was a trench mortar; and I had not straightened myself when a shell burst over my head.
"It stunned me I can tell you, and my cobbers sent me to the dressing station. That was four days ago, and they have to wait a couple for the rays to develop. I am as happy as a king, and if I do pass out of this world you will know I am sure of good hopes for the next.
"I received Holy Communion the day we went over the bags, and also attended Mass twice that day and once the day before. So I hope when, if you do receive this, you will not cut up over me, as I reckon I did my bit.
"It was wonderful to see such a crowd of men walking along amid shells and bullets by the million. The Huns got chopped up by our lot (NZ), but I hear they gave the Australians a bad reception.
"I do not know of any chap of my acquaintance getting a smack, and it was hard me getting it after gaining our objective and digging ourselves in.
"So I will say good-bye, and be brave, as I am more than cheerful and have got over my pain."
McNeece ended his letter with affectionate remembrances to his parents, sister and brothers and with kind regards to his friends.