The final letter sent home by a young Black Watch soldier killed in battle is featured in a new book.
If You’re Reading This… documents dozens of farewell letters written over the last 300 years.
One of the stories told is that of Lieutenant George F Morrison, who was born in Crieff in 1921 and was killed during the Second World War at El Alamein.
The chirpy missive reveals his confidence that the letter which was only to be posted in the event of his death would never reach his beloved mother Norah.
It also gave instructions for his worldly goods to be given away to those in need.
The letter was penned on October 3 1942, and before the month was out George would be dead, one of five officers killed on the second day of battle.
In the letter he paid tribute to his “dearest mother”, to whom he had addressed it, writing: “You have always been the best of mothers to me.
“Since reaching mature years I’ve tried to make up to you for all the trouble you must have had when I was smaller.
“My family is the best ever and I know you’ll all go on and keep the colours flying, even though I’m not there to bother you any more by phone calls from obscure spots, or mad crazes after motorbikes, or any of these things which afflict the normal youth.”
He added: “This is a queer letter to write because I’ll be dead then and if you get it, I feel excessively cheery and optimistic right now and this death business doesn’t worry me in the least.
“So, if I do get one don’t be too sad it’s too late to be sad and I wouldn’t like it.
“If you would just get the organist to play Handel’s Largo in my memory in the kirk one Sunday morning then that’s as far as you should grieve for me.
“Even in heaven, or hell I’ll be all right, never fear. I’ll send you a bit of ambrosia or alternatively a piece of glowing coal.”
George Morrison was buried at El Alamein War Cemetery.