Letter to Ursula Valentine from Red Cross prisoner of war department

Letter to Ursula Valentine from Red Cross prisoner of war department

Writes about map of prisoner of war camps that they sent. Gives advice on addressing letters to husband due to German censorship. Suggests address to Stalag 357 and omit Stalag Luft 3.

1944-12-14

Two page typewritten letter

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EThorntonEMValentineUM441214

[Letter headed notepaper ‘Order of St. John of Jerusalem’ Prisoners of War Department]
BOK/VH Ref: RAF/M 2444
14th December, 1944.

Mrs. J. Valentire,
Felmersham,
Bottrells Lane,
Chalfont St. Giles,
Bucks.

Dear Mrs. Valentine,

re: [underlined] 1251404 Warrant Officer J. Valentire [/underlined]

Thank you for your letter, which we received on December 12h. The map of the Prisoner of War camps has already been sent to you and although you will not find Stalag 357 marked on it, it is situated at Oerbke near Fallingbostel, which is in square C.4.

We know that the censorship of all letters for R.A.F. Prisoners of War at Stalag Luft 3 delays their delivery very seriously and think that you can quite well try sending letters to your husband to Stalag 357 omitting Stalag Luft 3 from the address. We cannot, of course, guarantee that they will reach him any more quickly, but you may think it worth the attempt.

P.T.O.

[page break]

[centred] -2- [/centred]

We hope you will soon hear from your husband again.

Yours sincerely,
p.p. E.M. THORNTON
Director.

[page break]