Letter from Arnold Christian to his Wife

Letter from Arnold Christian to his Wife

The letter has at the top been annotated 'A's last letter'. He writes that it is a sort of holiday since he has a lot of freedom, in the north of Scotland.
A note attached to the letter states that he was lost in action 48 hours later.

1941-05-06

Two handwritten sheets and one printed caption

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SChristianAL29160v10048-0001, SChristianAL29160v10048-0002, SChristianAL29160v10048-0003

[inserted] [underlined] A’s last letter [/underlined] [/inserted]

OFFICERS’ MESS,
ROYAL AIR FORCE,
LOSSIEMOUTH,
MORAYSHIRE.

6/5/41

My Own Darling,

Well here we are, up in the wilds, for a short spell.

This is a sort of a holiday, and I am entirely my own boss, doing exactly what I like for everything.

We are not allowed to say or write very much, so I am afraid this letter will have to be very short, but I hope sweet.

I have got my own big car up here, so I hope to see some of the countryside before we return. It is really very beautiful, what we have seen up to now.

[page break]

Hope the phone is now in order at home, because I hope to give you a ring next Sunday.

How are you keeping dear, and also the kiddies? I have got a most filthy cold & sore throat.

I have got my battle dress. I am told that I look very smart in it, and I like it very much.

This place would be grand for our holidays, if it was not so terribly far away. There are a number of big towns quite close, and yet it is on the sea-shore, with lovely sand & safe batheing. [sic] Ideal for the kiddies and not too deadly for us at night. We shall have to think it over.

Well dear, must close now, as I am terribly busy, best love to you all from Daddy.

[page break]

Last letter home from Wing Commander Arnold Louis Christian
Officer Commanding No 105 Squadron, Royal Air Force.

The letter was written less than 48 hours before he was lost in action and it is poignant to note that, probably, he was still suffering the heavy cold & sore throat mentioned.

105 Sqn was on detachment to RAF Lossiemouth, Elgin, Scotland for forward operations against enemy shipping targets off the Norwegian coast