Letter to John Weightman's Father

Letter to John Weightman's Father

The letter advises than John has failed to return from an operation over enemy territory.

1944-07-20

One typewritten sheet

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SKnoxRW[Ser#-DoB]v80010

[underlined] COPY. [/underlined]

No. 582 Squadron,
R.A.F. Station,
Little Staughton
Nr. St. Neots,
[underlined] Huntingdonshire [/underlined]

Ref:-
[underlined] 582S/C.700/11/P1. [/underlined]

[underlined] 22nd July, 1944. [/underlined]

Dear Mr Weightman,

I deeply regret to inform you that your son 43255 Squadron Leader J.B. Weightman failed to return from operations carried out over enemy territory on the 20th July, 1944.

Your son was the Captain of a very experienced and outstanding crew, a crew of great ability and courage. Though, being a newcomer, I personally knew them only very slightly, my predecessor, Wing Commander Dunnicliffe, spoke very highly of them, and it is clear from the circumstances of this particular operation that the crew was making a highly creditable bid for success at the time.

It is desired to explain that the request in the telegram notifying you of the casualty to your son was included with the object of avoiding his chance of escape being prejudiced by undue publicity in case he was still at large. This is not to say that any information about him is available, but is a precaution adopted in the case of all personnel reported missing.

You may rest assured that I will notify you immediately any news respecting your son comes to my knowledge. Meanwhile, please accept the profound sympathy of my Squadron and of myself with you and yours, and our hope that better news may soon be available.

Yours sincerely,

P. H. CRIBB

Wing Commander, Commanding,
[underlined] No. 582 Squadron, R.A.F. [/underlined]

Mr. E. H. Weightman,
Ivy House,
Wragby,
[underlined] Lincoln. [/underlined]

[inserted] Letter from 582 Squadron to Ben Weightman’s father dated 22 July 1944 [/inserted]