Letter to Ursula Valentine from RAF Scampton

Letter to Ursula Valentine from RAF Scampton

Informs her that her husband failed to return from an operation over Germany on 30 May 1942. The correspondent would inform her if they had any further news.

1942-06-03

Two page handwritten letter

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SValentineJRM1251404v20008-0001, SValentineJRM1251404v20008-0002

Royal Air Force Station,
Scampton
Lincoln.
3-6-42.

Dear Mrs. Valentine,
I am extremely sorry to have to inform you that your husband Sergeant John Valentine, failed to return from a night raid on Germany on Saturday, May 30th 1942. He took off at 10.53 that night as navigator of the aircraft and from that time nothing more was heard of them. However, if we hear anything from or about him, please rest assured that I will let you know immediately. There is always some chance in these cased, of the crew being taken prisoner of war, and while this should never

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be forgotten I do not wish in this case, to raise any false hopes.

Your husband took part in the biggest raid of all time, the attack on Cologne, which was, as we all now know, such a resounding success. He had completed 10 operational sorties totalling 65 hours flying and he was a skilled and conscientious navigator. It is due to the skill and determination of such as he that we are able to deliver to Germany such a rattling blow.

If there is any thing that I can do for you in the way of advice or further information, please do not hesitate to let me know.

Yours sincerely,

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