Letter to Tom Whitehead's mother

Letter to Tom Whitehead's mother

Letter from Wing Commander D W M Smith: she would have heard her son was missing from air operations and the details he gives her should be treated as confidential. Raises possibility that he might be prisoner of war. Tom's belongings have been sent to the RAF Central Repository awaiting Air Ministry instructions. Offers sympathy.

1943-04-11

Two page handwritten letter

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ESmithDWMWhiteheadJ[Mo]430411

R.C.A.F. Station,
Wilton,
Nr Thursk,
Yorks.,
April 11th 1943.

Dear Mrs Whitehead

You will have already received word that your son, Sgt.T. Whitehead has been reported missing from air operations. You will, I know wish to [inserted] know [/inserted] any details that are available. There are very few, I am afraid, and even these I must ask you to treat as confidential.

Your son took part in a raid on Duisburg on the night of 8/9th April. Unfortunately nothing has been heard from him since he took off. This was your son’s eighth operation and he and his pilot were very skilled.

There is always the possibility that your son may be a prisoner of war in which case you will either hear from him direct or through the Air Ministry who will receive advice from the International Red Cross Society. I share your hopes that this may in fact be the case.

[Page Break]

Your son’s belongings have been gathered together and forwarded to the Royal Air Force Central Depository where they will be held pending further instructions from the Air Ministry.

May I offer you my own deep sympathy and that of all members of the squadron in your quiet anxiety. Your sons quiet manner, his constant willingness, and his obvious ability endeared him [indecipherable] all and made him a most valuable member of the Squadron. We miss him badly and all are hoping for better news of him soon.

Yours sincerely

(D.W.A. SMITH W/C DA)

Mrs. J. Whitehead,
Jaumfields Farm,
Littlemoss,
Ashton-Under-Lyne
Lancs.