Letter to George Dennis' Parents

Letter to George Dennis' Parents

The letter advises George's parents on the location of his permanent resting place and the two intermediate graves.

1948-01-31

Two typed sheets and a handwritten envelope

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EAirMinDennis[Fam]480131-0001, EAirMinDennis[Fam]480131-0002, EAirMinDennis[Fam]480131-0003

TO THE NEXT-OF-KIN OF,
SGT. DENNIS.
R.A.F.
ARMY-No 220435
BR. CEMETRY: OVERLOON
PLOT: III ROW A. GRAVE: 8

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AIR MINISTRY,
2, SEVILLE STREET,
LONDON, S.W.1.

31 January, 1948.

P.426203/44/S.14 Cas.C.6.

Dear Mr. & Mrs. Dennis,

It is not without hesitation that I refer again after so long an interval to the loss of your son, Sergeant G. C. Dennis, but I hope it will afford you some comfort to know the result of certain investigations by the Royal Air Force Missing Research and Enquiry Service in Germany and the Netherlands.

It has been confirmed that your son was buried at Dolzig but when the United States Army occupied the area the coffins of all fallen allied personnel were removed. It was in accordance with this policy that your son’s remains were laid to rest in the American Military Cemetery at Margraten, Holland but the United States Congress has decided that this cemetery shall be vacated and it has therefore been necessary to transfer your son’s grave to the British Cemetery at Overloon, where his final resting place is grave 8 in row A of plot III.

For its perpetual care this grave has accordingly been registered with the Imperial War Graves Commission and, as a temporary measure, marked with a cross of standard design showing his service particulars. When the time comes to replace it by a permanent headstone, which in the present difficult circumstances may take some time, you will be consulted by the Secretary of the Commission regarding the inscription you desire.

/I

Mr. and Mrs. R. H. Dennis,
59, Thrush Drive,
Bury,
Lancs.

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I am sorry that owing to the formidable task of our search teams on the Continent, it was not possible to notify you earlier.

Yours sincerely,

[signature]