Letter from Wing Commander Iveson to Mr B C Joseph

Letter from Wing Commander Iveson to Mr B C Joseph

The letter refers to Mr Joseph's son, Flight Sergeant David Joseph who is reported as missing in action. A list of his crew is included. The list does not include Sergeant Louis Makens who joined the crew as mid under gunner and became a prisoner of war.
Additional information about this item has been kindly provided by the donor.

1944-03-19

One envelope and three typewritten sheets.

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Letter from Wing Commander Iveson.
[underlined] Holme-on-Spalding Moor [/underlined]
[underlined] 19th March 1944. [/underlined]
[page break]
76S/68/ /P.1.
No. 76 Squadron,
R.A.F. Station,
Holme on Spalding Moor.
Yorks.

19th. March 1944.

Dear Mr. Joseph,
It was with the utmost regret that I had to telegraph you and tell you that your son, Flight Sgt. David Joseph, is reported missing from air operations against the enemy last night. The target against which he was detailed was Frankfurt.
It is desired to explain that the request in the telegram notifying you of the casualty to your son wasc [sic] 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.
Your son was fast proving to be one ofnthe [sic] best Pilots we have on the Squadron, and a man with a strong sense of duty and courage. He had a very responsible job as Captain of his aircraft, and had the complete confidence, not only of his whole crew, but also of his Flight Commander and myself. The news of his loss has been received with the very greatest sorrow.
I am enclosing a list of names and addresses of the next of kin of the crew, in case you might wish to write them.
His personal effects have been sent to the Royal Air Force Central Depository, Colnebrooke, Slough, Bucks, who will be communicating in due course regarding disposal of same.
Please accept on behalf of myself and the entire Squadron, my sincerest sympathy in these anxious days of waiting.

Yours very sincerely,
D. Iveson
Wing Commander, Commanding
[underlined] No. 76 Squadron. R.A.F. [/underlined]

Mr. B. C. Joseph,
30, Avenue Road,
Stratford on Avon.
WARWICKSHIRE.
[page break]
[underlined] COPY. [/underlined]
76S/68/ /P.1.
No. 76 Squadron,
R.A.F. Station,
Holme on Spalding Moor.
Yorks.

19th March 1944.

Dear Mr. Joseph,
It was with the utmost regret that I had to telegraph you and tell you that your son, Flight Sgt. David Joseph, is reported missing from air operations against the enemy last night. The target against which he was detailed was Frankfurt.
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.
Your son was fast proving to be one of the best Pilots we have on the Squadron, and a man with a strong sense of duty and courage. He had a very responsible job as Captain of his aircraft, and had the complete confidence, not only of his whole crew, but also of his Flight Commander and myself. The news of his loss has been received with the very greatest sorrow.
I am enclosing a list of names and addresses of the next of kin of the crew, in case you might wish to write them.
His personal effects have been sent to the Royal Air Force Central Depository, Colnebrooke, Slough, Bucks, who will be communicating in due course regarding disposal of same.
Please accept on behalf of myself and the entire Squadron, my sincerest sympathy in these anxious days of waiting.

Yours very sincerely,
(Sgd) D. Iveson
Wing Commander, Commanding
[underlined] No. 76 Squadron. R.A.F. [/underlined]

Mr. B.C. Joseph,
30, Avenue Road,
Stratford-on-Avon.
Warwickshire.
[page break]
[inserted] X [/inserted] 1576383 F/Sgt. JOSEPH. David. Pilot Hebrew.
N/K :- Father. Mr. B.C.Joseph, 30, Avenue Road, Stratford-on-Avon.

R157474. F/Sgt. WIRTH. Edmund. Air Bomb. R.C.
N/K:- Father: Mr. W.Wirth, 772, McPhillips Street, Winnipeg, Canada.

J22060. F/O. RAMSAY. Kenneth. Navigator. U.C.
N/K:- Mother: Mrs. J.Ramsay, 1198, West 70th Ave., Vancouver, B.C. Canada.

[inserted] X [/inserted] 1468176. Sgt. HASKETT. James. WOP/AIR. Meth.
N/K:- Father. Mr. W.J.Haskett, 2, Dora Place, Tottenhill, King’s Lynn, Norfolk.

1004925. Sgt. KIRTON. John. A/G(M.U.). R.C.
N/K:- Mother: Mrs. R.Kirton, 1, Gray’s Terrace, Redhills, Durham City.

[inserted] X [/inserted] 1604913. Sgt. GILES. Edward. F/Eng. C. of E.
Father:- Mr.H.Giles, 6, Cardwell Crescent, Oxford.

[inserted] X [/inserted] 1823159. Sgt. SINCLAIR. William. A/G. C. of S.
N/K:- Father. Mr. P.Sinclair, 5, Halkett Place, Saltcoats, Ayrshire.

Missing – 18th/19th March 1944.
[page break]
Hal[inserted] Mk3 [/inserted] LW/655V
hrs 19-43 took off
ref [deleted] P419 P41429 [/deleted] P414910/1/P4 cao