Letter to Lewis Ellis's father from the Air Ministry

Letter to Lewis Ellis's father from the Air Ministry

Informs him the the Royal Air Force missing research and enquiry team had now found where his son, Flying Officer E.L. Ellis had been laid to rest. Gives location and some details. Informs his that policy required that fallen should not be left in isolated cemeteries but re-interred in special British War Cemeteries.

1947-09-19

Two page typewritten letter

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SEllisEL183959v20014

[inserted] 9/47 [/inserted]

Tel. No. [deleted] ABBEY 3411, Ext. /deleted] Sloane 3467

AIR MINISTRY,
[deleted] WHITEHALL,
LONDON, S.W.1. [/deleted]

P.428962/S.14.Cas.C.7.

2, Seville Street,
Knightsbridge,
London, S.W.1.

19th September, 1947.

Dear Mr. Ellis,

I am deeply sorry to renew your brief in the sad loss of your son Flying Officer E.L. Ellis, Royal Air Force, but I am sure you will wish to know that the Royal Air Force, Missing Research and Enquiry Service in Germany have now found where he was laid to rest.

He is buried in a comrades grave in Renningen cemetery with the four other crew members who lost their lives with him. (Rennigen is approximately 10 miles West of Stuttgart).

Unfortunately owing to the severity of the crash individual identification was not possible. Nevertheless arrangements are being made with the Graves Registration Authorities to have the grave collectively registered and inscribed with the service details of all five members of the crew.

I must explain however, that the policy which has been agreed upon by His Majesty's and the Commonwealth Governments regarding our fallen in Germany, is that they shall not be left to lie in isolated Cemeteries, but are to be reverently re-interred among their comrades in special British War Cemeteries which have been selected for the natural beauty and peace of their surroundings. There the graves will be tended in perpetuity by the Imperial War Graves Commission.

/You

H. Ellis, Esq.,
54, Wulfric Road,
Manor,
Sheffield 2.

[page break]

You will be informed when this takes place and the Commission will write to you later to consult your wishes regarding the inscription on the headstone they will erect to his memory. A photograph will be taken of the grave and send to you.

I do sincerely hope that this knowledge will be of some slight comfort to you in your great loss.

Yours sincerely,

[signature]