Letter to Mrs K Brett from the Air Ministry

Letter to Mrs K Brett from the Air Ministry

Informs her that further investigation by the Royal Air Force Missing Research and Enquiry Service had located her husbands place of burial at Heidenau. Informs her that all fallen would be transferred to specially selected military cemeteries and gives location that he was re-interred at Soltau (Becklingen) British Military Cemetery.

1949-01-08

One page typewritten letter

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ERowleySBrett KFM490108

MT Sloane 3467
[deleted] TEL No. HOLBORN 9494, Ext…… [/deleted]

P.425407/44/S.14.Cas.C.6.

AIR MINISTRY
[deleted] ADASTRAL HOUSE,
KINGSWAY, W.C.2 [/deleted]

2, Seville Street,
Knightsbridge,
London,
S.W.1.
8 – JAN 1949
Dear Mrs. Brett,
It is not without hesitation that I refer to this Department’s letter dated 15th January 1947 concerning the loss in action of your husband Sergeant A.C. Brett, but I feel sure you will wish to know that as a result of further investigations undertaken by the Royal Air Force Missing Research and Enquiry Service in Germany, his place of burial has now been located.
These investigations show that he was buried by the Germans as unknown in the village cemetery at Heidenau, which is seven miles south of Beckdorf where the crash occurred.
In accordance with the policy agreed upon by His Majesty’s and Commonwealth Governments that our fallen should be transferred to specially selected military cemeteries, he has now been re-interred in Grave 1, Row A, Plot 19, at Soltau (Becklingen) British Military Cemetery. His identity was positively established by the service number (1867875) found on his clothing, and the Flight Engineer’s badge worn on his tunic.
Soltau Cemetery is situated 40 miles north of Hannover, and the graves there will be maintained for all time by the Imperial War Graves Commission.
I am sorry that, owing to the formidable task of our search teams it has not been possible to let you have this information earlier, but I do hope this somewhat belated news will afford you a measure of comfort in your sad loss.
Yours sincerely
[signature] S Rowley [/signature]

Mrs. K. Brett,
40 Manland Avenue,
Harpenden,
Hertfordshire.