Letter to Mrs Ramsay referring to the loss of her son

Letter to Mrs Ramsay referring to the loss of her son

A letter to Mrs Winifred Ramsay referring to the death of her son, Kenneth Grant Ramsay and giving details of his final resting place.

1950-03-29

Two typewritten sheets

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EGunnWRRamsayW500329-0001,
EGunnWRRamsayW500329-0002

[Canada Crest]
IN REPLY PLEASE QUOTE No. J22060 (DPC)
Department of National Defence
OTTAWA, 29th March, 1950.
Mrs. Winnifred Ramsay,
7790 Cartier St.,
Vancouver, B.C.
Dear Mrs Ramsay:
It is with regret that I refer to the loss of your son, Flying Officer Kenneth Grant Ramsay. A report has, however, been received from our Missing Research and Enquiry Service concerning your son.
Investigating Officers of this Service have ascertained that two woodcutters had found your son’s body in the woods near Niederehe. Niederehe is thirty-seven miles west of Koblenz. He had been buried in the local cemetery.
Our Investigating Officers were informed that other members of the crew had parachuted safely at Nohn, 1 3/4 miles north east of Niederehe. On making enquires at Nohn, witnesses stated that they knew of at least three crew members landing at Nohn. They remembered the names of two of these crew members as being Wirth and Joseph.
[COPIED Archives stamp]
In view of the fact that your son’s body was located less than two miles from where other members of the crew has parachuted safely, he must have lost his life in the parachute descent.
In accordance with the agreed policy of the Nations of the British Commonwealth that all British aircrew buried in Germany would be moved to permanent British Military Cemeteries located in Germany, your son was moved to the permanent British Military Cemetery eleven miles north west of Duisburg, Germany. The cemetery is known as the Rheinberg British Military Cemetery. Your son was laid rest in plot II, row E, grave No. 25.
[inserted] Phoned persons who have [indecipherable word][signature][/inserted]
….2….
RCAF G32B
200M-6-49 (5941)

[page break]

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This British Military Cemetery will be reverently cared for and maintained in perpetuity by the Imperial War Graves Commission (of which Canada is a member). The Commission will also erect a permanent headstone at your son’s resting place.
It is my earnest hope that you will be comforted with the knowledge that your son’s resting place is known and that it will be permanently maintained, and I would like to take this opportunity of expressing to you and the members of your family my deepest sympathy in the loss of your gallant son.
Yours sincerely,
[undecipherable signature]
for (W.R. Gunn)
Wing Commander,
R.C.A.F Casualties Officer,
for Chief of the Air Staff.

[COPIED Archives stamp]