Letter to Mervyn Adder's father from OC 44 Squadron
Title
Letter to Mervyn Adder's father from OC 44 Squadron
Description
Writes informing him that his son was missing as a result of air operations on 15/16 March 1944. Mentions that it takes time to get news of prisoners. Mentions that Mervyn Adder had completed fourteen operational flights and was held in high esteem by his crew. Warns against releasing information that would prejudice possible evasion by downed aircrew. Mention personal effects.
Creator
Date
1944-03-16
Language
Format
One page typewritten letter
Conforms To
Publisher
Rights
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Contributor
Identifier
SAdderM175073v10108
Transcription
[crest]
No. 44 (Rhodesia) Squadron,
Royal Air Force,
DUNHOLME LODGE,
Lincoln.
[underlined] 16th. March, 1944. [/underlined]
Dear Mr Adder
It is with deep regret that I have to confirm the news that your son, Sergeant Mervyn Adder, is missing as a result of air operations over enemy territory on the night of the 15/16th. March, 1944. Not only myself but the whole Squadron sincerely hope that he is safe and uninjured, and I would like to take this opportunity of expressing my most profound sympathy to you in your anxiety.
As you are probably aware, it often takes some time for news to be received of those who are captured as prisoners of war, but as soon as any is forthcoming, you will be notified immediately by telegram.
Your son has been with the Squadron for three months, during which time he has taken part in fourteen operational flights. He has proved himself to be a most capable navigator, and was held in high esteem by the other members of his crew.
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 is a precaution adopted in the case of all personnel reported missing.
The Committee of Adjustment Officer is dealing with your son’s personal effects and he will forward them to the Central Committee of Adjustment, R.A.F. Colnbrook, Slough, Bucks., who will communicate with you in due course.
Yours sincerely
[signature]
F.W. THOMPSON,
Wing Commander,
Commanding,
[underlined] No. 44 (Rhodesia) Squadron. [/underlined]
Mr. A. Adder,
153, Albert Avenue,
HULL.
No. 44 (Rhodesia) Squadron,
Royal Air Force,
DUNHOLME LODGE,
Lincoln.
[underlined] 16th. March, 1944. [/underlined]
Dear Mr Adder
It is with deep regret that I have to confirm the news that your son, Sergeant Mervyn Adder, is missing as a result of air operations over enemy territory on the night of the 15/16th. March, 1944. Not only myself but the whole Squadron sincerely hope that he is safe and uninjured, and I would like to take this opportunity of expressing my most profound sympathy to you in your anxiety.
As you are probably aware, it often takes some time for news to be received of those who are captured as prisoners of war, but as soon as any is forthcoming, you will be notified immediately by telegram.
Your son has been with the Squadron for three months, during which time he has taken part in fourteen operational flights. He has proved himself to be a most capable navigator, and was held in high esteem by the other members of his crew.
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 is a precaution adopted in the case of all personnel reported missing.
The Committee of Adjustment Officer is dealing with your son’s personal effects and he will forward them to the Central Committee of Adjustment, R.A.F. Colnbrook, Slough, Bucks., who will communicate with you in due course.
Yours sincerely
[signature]
F.W. THOMPSON,
Wing Commander,
Commanding,
[underlined] No. 44 (Rhodesia) Squadron. [/underlined]
Mr. A. Adder,
153, Albert Avenue,
HULL.
Collection
Citation
Wing Commander F W Thompson, “Letter to Mervyn Adder's father from OC 44 Squadron,” IBCC Digital Archive, accessed April 19, 2024, https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/collections/document/33274.
Item Relations
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