Letter from British Red Cross to Mrs K Wynn

Letter from British Red Cross to Mrs K Wynn

Writes of further reports that three unidentified airmen flying in the same aircraft of her husband had been buried in the military cemetery at Venlo and gives grave numbers. They were buried near the other two members of the crew previously identified as Pilot Office Russell and Flying Officer Petts. Letter apologises for delay in reporting news. Enquiries would continue.

1945-01-06

Two page typewritten letter

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EAmpthillMWynnK450106

[Letterhead]
WAS/GG/RAF/C.7289
6th January, 1945.

Dear Mrs. Wynn,
We are writing to tell you of a further sad report which has reached us by cable from the International Red Cross Committee in connection with our enquiries about the crew in which your husband, Pilot Officer I. A. WYNN, was serving.
The Organisation at Geneva has sent an authoritative statement from the Official Bureau in Berlin that three airmen flying in this aircraft, of whose names they were not aware at the time, were laid to rest in the Military Cemetery at Venlo. The numbers 280, 281 and 298 are quoted for the graves of these crew-members, who would seem to rest near to their companions, Pilot Officer Russell and Flying Officer Petts.
We realise how this tragic information, coming so long afterwards, must needs add to your anxiety and sorrow; but we can only tell you the German reports about those serving together are often sent through at long intervals, and it is unhappily not unusual for later records of burial to reach us which apply to airmen not originally notified as having lost their lives.
P.T.O.

[page break]

-2-
The present military pressure around Venlo will not allow [inserted] of [/inserted] our continued enquiries through channels open to us in that area. We are, however, assured the War Graves Registration & Enquiry Section of the war Office will be making full investigations there whenever this becomes possible, and will forward their records to the Air Ministry who will inform the next-of-kin.
While we are sending you this grievous news with the greatest reluctance, realising its possible implications and what they will mean to you, we do not believe you would wish us to keep back any record we may receive about the crew and hope you will forgive the pain our letter cannot but bring you.
With again the assurance of our deep sympathy at this time.
Yours sincerely,
Margaret Ampthill,
ppJM
CHAIRMAN.

Mrs. I.A. Wynn,
“Sunny Brae”,
Norley,
FRODSHAM. NR. WARRINGTON.