Letter to Mr AB Geach from RAF Witchford

Letter to Mr AB Geach from RAF Witchford

A letter to David Geach's father advising him that his son is missing in action. The letter is signed by his Wing Commander. Included is a list of crew members and their addresses.

1944-03-28

Two typewritten sheets

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E[Author]RGeachAB440328-0001,
E[Author]RGeachAB440328-0002

Royal Air Force Station,
WITCHFORD,
NR. ELY,
CAMBS.
26th March, 1944.
115S/C 692/361/P1.
Dear Mr. Geach,
It is with deep regret that I have to confirm the news that your son, No. 1394781, F/Sgt D. G. Geach, has been reported missing.
There is unfortunately very little definite information that I can give you at the moment. He went out on an operational flight on the night of 24th/25th March to attack an important target in Germany, and up to the time of writing nothing further has been heard of his aircraft.
During your son’s service with this Squadron he rapidly proved himself a very capable Air Bomber and had become a very popular member of my Squadron, and his loss will be keenly felt by all.
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 it is a precaution adopted in the case of all personnel reported missing.
For your information I enclose herewith the names and addresses of the next of kin of other members of his crew.
In the event of any information coming to hand regarding your son, rest assured it will be communicated to you immediately. In the interim please accept the most sincere sympathy of myself and all personnel of the Squadron in your period of anxiety.
Yours Very Sincerely
[signature]
[underlined] Wing Commander. [/underlined]
Mr. A. B. Geach,
4 Upperton Road,
Plaistow,
LONDON E.13.
[page break]
[underlined] FLYING BATTLE CASUALTY TO LANCASTER II AIRCRAFT DS678 DURING OPERATIONS NIGHT OF 24/25 MARCH, 1944. [/underlined]
[underlined] MISSING [/underlined].
J 19862 P/O. LEONARD MILES McCANN - ,Captain of Aircraft – Single – Next of Kin – Mother – Mrs. D. McCann, 361 ARLINGTON AVENUE, OTTAWA, CANADA.
R 142443 W/O. HERBERT LESLIE GRAY – Navigator – Single – Next of Kin – Father – Mr. R. E. GRAY, PRARIE RIVER, SASKATCHEWAN, CANADA.
1095610 SGT. WILLIAM BOWEY – Wireless Operator/Air Gunner – Single – Next of Kin – Father – Mr. W. C. BOWEY, 27 Feadenbridge road, Sunderland, CO DURHAM.
139478J F/SGT. DAVID GILBERT GEACH – Air Bomber – Single – Next of Kin – Father – Mr. A. B. GEACH, 4 Upperton Road, Plaistow, LONDON E.13.
1851983 – SGT. VICTOR JOHN WATSON – Air Gunner – Single – Next of Kin – Father – Mr. W. W. WATSON, 309 DRISINGHAM AVENUE, Manor Park, LONDON. E.13.
1381057 SGT. DONALD KEELEY – Air Gunner – Single – Next of Kin – Father – COMMDR. L. J. KEELEY, ELSLEY HOUSE, CHIPPING CAMPDEN, GLOS.
1652303 SGT. JOHN WILLIAM BURKE – Flight Engineer – Single – Next of Kin – Brother – Mr. A. BURKE, 7 TYGWYN ST. [indecipherable word], Nr. Merthyr Tydfil, GLAMORGAN. [inserted] 7 TYGWYN.. ST. MERTHYR. TYRFIL CLAMORGAN. [inserted]
[underlined] No. 115 Squadron. [/underlined]