To Isabel from Central Depository regarding Andrew Bain's effects

To Isabel from Central Depository regarding Andrew Bain's effects

One letter includes reference to the different procedure for a serviceman presumed killed in action (after missing in action for more than six months) or a prisoner of war. One letter is in reply to one from Isabel in which she asks about a missing pen and comments on the poor packaging of Andrew's effects. Another letter concerns a bicycle found at RAF Mepal.

1943

1944

Six typewritten letters

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ERAFCentDepBainID431005, ERAFCentDepBainID440225, ERAFCentDepBainID440307, ERAFCentDepBainID440526, EBrownFABainID440625, EThomsonMBainID440629, EBeckBrownBainID440426

[Underlined] Registered Post. [/Underlined]

Telephone No:-
Colnbrook 231/3.

In reply please
quote reference:-
CD/ FT36393

Central Depository,
Royal Air Force,
Colnbrook,
Slough, Bucks
[Underlined] 29th June 44. [/Underlined]

[Underlined] 65890. Sgt Bain A [/Underlined]
Dear Madam

With reference to this office letter dated 14th March 44 as it is essential for record purposes to have a signed inventory, I enclose a further copy which I should appreciate your completing and returning. A prepaid addressed label is enclosed for this purpose.

Yours faithfully,

[Signature]
for Squadron Leader. Commanding,
[Underlined] R.A.F. Central Depository. [/Underlined]

Mrs I. D. Bain
c/o 31. Stirling Drive
Burnside, Glasgow

[Page break]

[Central Depository, Royal Air Force letterhead]
Date: 26th May, 1944.
[deleted] Your [/deleted] Ref:- CD/FT. 36393.
[Underlined] 658930 Sgt. Bain, A. [/Underlined]
Dear Madam,
I thank you for your letter dated 22nd March, 1944, and regret the delay in replying, but have been making very thorough enquires into the question of the fountain pen.
As a result of these, I am at a loss to account for the non-receipt of the pen. According to the records held at this office, the Swan fountain pen was included with the other effects when despatched to you. In addition, the officer who checked your husband’s effects when received from the Unit has been interviewed and states that to the best of his knowledge the pen was amongst the other items in the suitcase, which was sealed after checking. Would you mind my suggesting a further search for the pen, as it may have been slipped in one of the shoes, wallet, or such article for added protection against damage.
I also regret to note your remarks regarding the packing of the effects. I can only plead that the N.C.O. who packed the suitcase was comparatively new and inexperienced at the job. Will you please accept my sincere apologies in this respect.
Yours faithfully,
[Signature]
for Squadron Leader, Commanding,
[Underlined] R.A.F. Central Depository. [/Underlined]

Mrs. I. D. Bain,
c/o Aithchison,
31, Stirling Drive,
Burnside,
[Underlined] Glasgow. [/Underlined]

[Page break]

Telephone No:-
Colnbrook 231/232/233

In reply please quote reference:-
CD/ FT.36393

Central Depository,
Royal Air Force,
Colnbrook,
Slough,
Bucks.
7th March 44.
[Underlined] 658930 Sgt Bain A. [/Underlined]

Dear Madam.

I thank you for returning the Form of Indemnity duly signed and would inform you that the effects of the above named will be forwarded to you as soon as possible.

I will, of course, advise you of the actual date of despatch.

Yours faithfully,
[Signature]
for Squadron Leader, Commanding,
[Underlined] R.A.F. Central Depository. [/Underlined]

Mrs I D Bain
31. Stirling Drive
Burnside
Glasgow

[Page break]

[Central Depository, Royal Air Force letterhead]
Date: 25th Feb. 1944.
Your Ref.:- CD/FT. 36393

[Underlined] 658930 Sgt. Bain A. [/Underlined]

Dear Madam,

I thank you for your letter dated 7th February 1944.

As Air Ministry regulations now permit personal effects to be released to the recorded Next of Kin on indemnity, I am enclosing an indemnity form.

If you will kindly complete and sign the form, duly witnessed, and return to this office, for which purpose a prepaid addressed label is attached, the necessary action will be taken.

Yours faithfully,
[Signature]
for Squadron Leader, Commanding,
[Underlined] R.A.F. Central Depository. [/Underlined]

Mrs. I.D. Bain,
C/O Aithchison,
31 Stirling Drive,
Burnside,
Glasgow.

[Page Break]

Telephone Nos:-
Colnbrook 231-232-233

In reply please quote
reference:-
CD/ 658930/F36393

Central Depository,
Royal Air Force,
Colnbrook,
Slough,
Bucks.

5 - Oct 1943.

658930 Sgt Bain A.

Dear Madam

The personal effects of your husband as listed on the attached inventory have now reached this office from the Unit and will be held in safe custody pending the receipt of further evidence which will enable a conclusive classification of the casualty to be made.

In the case of casualties reported as “missing” unless definite evidence comes to light in the meantime, authority to release the effects is not normally received from the Air Ministry until at least six months from the date of the casualty, since official action to presume death is rarely taken before the expiration of this period.

In the case of casualties ultimately reported “Prisoner of War”, the Air Ministry will as a general rule, only authorise the release of effects on the written request of the officer or airman concerned. In these circumstance, in order to expedite release, any original letter received from a Prisoner of War in this connection should be forwarded to this office for perusal and early return.

In the meantime, may I be permitted to express my sympathy with you in this period of anxiety.

Yours faithfully,
[Signature]
for Squadron Leader, Commanding,
[Underlined] R.A.F. Central Depository. [/Underlined]

Mrs I.D. Bain
25 Beaufort Gardens
Bishopsbriggs
Glasgow.

[Page break]

[Underlined] Confidential. [/Underlined]

R.A.F. Station,
Mepal,
Nr. Ely,
Cambs.

MEP/C. 2055/14/3/P1.

25th June, 1944.

Dear Mrs. Bain,

A cycle, the property of your Husband, has just been found on this Station. Would you kindly inform us of your wishes regarding the disposal of this cycle, in order that there may be a minimum of delay when authority for release from R.A.F. Central Depository, Colnbrook, is received.

2. It is very much regretted that this cycle was not found earlier, and any inconvenience this may have caused you.

Yours sincerely,
[Signature]
for Group Captain, Commanding,
[Underlined] R.A.F. Station, MEPAL. [/Underlined]

Mrs. I.D. Bain,
25 Beaufort Gardens,
Bishopbriggs,
[Underlined] Glasgow. [/Underlined]

[Page Break]

Telephone Nos.
Colnbrook 231/232/233.

In reply please quote reference:-
CD/ FT.36393.

Central Depository,
Royal Air Force,
Colnbrook,
Slough Bucks.

26th April, 1944.

[Underlined] 658930 Sgt. Bain, A. [/Underlined]

Dear Madam,

The Committee of Adjustment composed of myself and two others which is being held at this office in accordance with Air Ministry instructions to deal with the estate of the above named, in so far as the Royal Air Force is concerned, desires to express deep sympathy with you in your bereavement.

Monetary matters are not dealt with by this office but by the Air Ministry (Accounts 13 Department), Whittington Road, Worcester, who will, in due course, send a statement of the service estate showing all service credits (e.g. cash found in effects, pay due, etc.) and liabilities, and will remit any balance to the deceased’s legal representative. Correspondence relative to these matters, therefore, should not be addressed to this office.

Yours faithfully,
[Signature]
for Squadron Leader, Commanding,
[Underlined] R.A.F. Central Depository [/Underlined]

Mrs. I.D. Bain,
25, Beaufort Gardens,
Bishopbriggs,
[Underlined] Glasgow, [/Underlined]