Letter to Phillip Mathew's Father from Air Ministry

Letter to Phillip Mathew's Father from Air Ministry

The letter explains that no more information is available from his son's crew member.

1945-07-30

Two typewritten sheets and envelope

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EAirMinMatthewsB450730-0001, EAirMinMatthewsB450730-0002, EAirMinMatthewsB450730-0003

[postmark 30 JULY 1945]

B. Matthews, Esq.,
87 Woodland Road,
Northfield,
BIRMINGHAM 31.

[page break]

[Air Ministry crest]

AIR MINISTRY
(Casualty Branch)
73-77 OXFORD STREET
W.1

TELEPHONE: GERRARD 9234

Any communications on the subject of this letter should be addressed to:-
THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE
and the following number quoted:-
Your Ref P.423553/5/P/4.B.6.

30th July, 1945.

Sir,

I am directed to refer to your letter of 8th July, 1945, and to express the regret of the Department at the delay in replying thereto, owing to the heavy increase in casualty enquiries since the cessation of hostilities.

I am to explain that when the Department’s letter of 2nd July was sent to you, Sergeant Ravenhill’s statement had not been received, but in it he states he could not say how many of the crew had baled out before him, as he could get no reply through the intercommunication, and had only heard the order to bale out. He thought all the crew had left before him and surmised he was the last to leave the plane.

He states that the plane crashed 40 miles south-east of Arnhem and that he could get no details from the Germans of the rest of the crew.

Sergeant Ravenhill makes no mention of the door in the fuselage being open, so that it is unfortunately not possible for this Department to express an opinion on which members of the crew left through that door.

It is a matter of regret that his statement does not help to throw more light on the fate of your son and the rest of his companions.

/Up…

B. Matthews, Esq.,
87 Woodland Road,
Northfield,
Birmingham, 31.

[National Scheme for Disabled Men crest]

[page break]

Up to the present, this Department has no further information to give, but, you can rest assured you will be notified if any details are received at a later date.

I am, Sir,
Your obedient Servant,

[signature]
for Director of Personal Services.