Notifies them that 61 Squadron has now moved to RAF Coningsby. She writes that her son's post office savings book has been found. There was still no news of their son but she is still hopeful.
Letter from relative of fellow crew member. Thanks them for kind letter and writes she has heard nothing since her boy was reported missing. Confirms she will write if she hears anything.
Writes that she has received official news of her sons death. He is buried along with Pilot Officer Bradley at Griefswald Weich, 16 mils west of Peenemunde. Asks if Madgetts are in touch with Bradley's family or if they have received any further…
Sorry to hear bad news about Hedley. Bad luck coming down on his last operation. Talks of joining the Royal Air Force. Catches up with news of leave and friends. Mentions that German radio had reported Lincoln was flattened but he had heard nothing.…
Writes that a reply to her letter to Adastral House noted that a PO Lewis was in the crew and as a result she fears for safety of the rest of the crew and that they must have come down in the sea. Hopes that some of them might have been picked up.
Thanks them for letter and explains how she found their name and wrote on the off chance. Commiserates over Hedley's 21st birthday. Thanks them for passing on her sons name to Red Cross. She lost her own husband recently and has little time to do…
Reports she has had no further news. She is frustrated as many others have had news their relatives are safe. Continues with news of her family. Encloses part of letter from a girl friend of her son and that a gentleman had given her an address to…
Writes asking if they have had any further information. Writes that a friend whose son was posted missing on the same operation had been notified as prisoner. Notes change of address as 'I was unfortunate to have a direct hit with a flying bomb on my…
Thanks them for photograph. The only news she has is that her son was officially presumed killed and that the bodies of P.O Bradley and Norton had been found and were buried 16 miles from the place they bombed. She writes that she has still not…
From James and Helen Girdwood. Thanks the Madgetts for writing after hearing about Girdwood's bereavement and notes similar tragedies for both families. Writes that they have found several snaps of Hedley in their son's album. Notes their son Bill…
From James and Helen Girdwood asking if they had heard any more news of Hedley who had been friends with their son Bill in Canada. Enclosed photograph of Bill. Addendum notes - 'Extract from Sidcup Times,21 June 1946 notice of pilot Jordan killed…
From Mr and Mrs J Girdwood thanking them for the cutting they sent. Confirms their sons grave in in Venlo Holland along with all his crew. Sorry that Madgetts have no news of Hedley's grave. Writes that their daughter a nursing sister had died after…
Relates news they have heard on Peenemünde operation and states they will not give up hope. Catches up with news. From Ada and Aunt. Additional information about this item was kindly provided by the donor.
Letter confirming that Hedley Madgett's aircraft failed to return from operations on 17/18 August 1943. However there was nothing known that could be connected to the aircraft's non return. Writes that it takes some time for any news to come through…
Writes that her son who is in RAF Red Cross Hospital in Northallerton is still seriously ill and unlikely to recover. Hopes that she will hear good news of Hedley soon.
From mother of the mid upper gunner on Hedley's aircraft offering sympathy over anxiety for news that they are both suffering. Notes she had met Hedley on a few occasions at Kings Cross and how crew cheered when he arrived as Pilot Officer. Hopes…
Letter from Philip B Stapp who was a Lieutenant in the United States Navy Reserve noting that Rosemary had told him that Hedley was missing. Hedley had stayed with Stapp family in February 1942. Writes that British effort means the United States…
Thnks her for recent letter. Regrets that the Madgetts are going through the same thing a she has just done but hopes it will have a happy ending. Relates her experience with her son reported missing while others in his crew were reported killed. She…
From J G Grey congratulating them on son's award and catching up with news. Postscript that she has just heard that Hedley is missing and hopes they will have good news.
From War Organisation of the British Red Cross Society and Order of St John of Jerusalem. Writes that a body of a crew member of his son's aircraft (Pilot Officer Lewis) was recovered from the shore and that this indicates that disaster to his…