Little Harry Whitewood's spiritual influence and leadership in the trenches

“Harry Whitewood, 'the little chap.' as the soldier affectionately called him, was only a private soldier, and not much more than a boy in years, but he left his impress upon every man in his company. The soldier told me with tender light in his eyes how the men would pass the word along, 'Ere comes little 'Any.' Always with a cheery word for his mates, and if someone grumbled, a 'Never mind, mates, it won't be so bad to-morrow,' and that in the face of intolerable conditions. He was never seen to be angry or known to speak an unkind word of any one, and if a profane word was uttered in his presence, his finger to his lips and a shake of the head were more of a rebuke than a spoken word would have been. Whenever his duties permitted he would hold a meeting in his dug-out, this slip of a youth. He would read a little Scripture, sing some hymns, then lead in a simple prayer for guidance and help. . . One day the word was passed from man to man that he had been shot, and it proved true. A German bullet had found its way into his dug-out, killing him instantly. The soldier said, 'We just couldn't believe that it was true, but when we found that there was no mistake about it, to a man, we all broke down and cried. And,' he finished, 'we took him out after sundown, and buried him with our own hands.' — Millennial Star 78:6”