Letter to Mrs S Shaw from the Air Ministry Casualty Branch

Letter to Mrs S Shaw from the Air Ministry Casualty Branch

Confirms information in telegram sent her that, in the view of information received from the Red Cross, that her husband had lost his life as a result of air operations on night 17/18 August 1943. He would still be recorded as missing believe killed until confirmed by further evidence, or lack of. Expresses sympathy.

1943-11-22

One page typewritten letter

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ESmithJAShawE431122

(Casualty Branch),
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
77, Oxford Street,
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London, W.1.

Gerrard 9234
XXXXXXXXX

P.407629/6/43/P.4.A.2.B.

22 November, 1943.

Madam,

I am commanded by the Air Council to inform you that they have with great regret to confirm the telegram in which you were notified that, in view of information now received from the International Red Cross Committee, your husband, Flight Sergeant Stanley Shaw, Royal Air Force, is believed to have lost his life as the result of the air operations on the night of 17/18th August, 1943.

The Committee’s telegram, quoting official German information, states that your husband was killed on 18th August. It contains no information regarding the place of his burial.

Although there is unhappily little reason to doubt the accuracy of this report, the casualty will be recorded as “missing believed killed” until confirmed by further evidence, or until, in the absence of such evidence, it becomes necessary, owing to lapse of time, to presume for official purposes that death has occurred. In the absence of confirmatory evidence death would not be presumed until at least six months from the date when your husband was reported missing.

The Air Council desire me to express their deep sympathy with you in your grave anxiety.

I am, Madam,
Your obedient Servant,

[signature]

Mrs. S. Shaw,
Innisfine,
Bisley Street,
Stapleford,
Nottinghamshire.