Sketch of a Lancaster with engines running. Underneath 'Spezia, 18/19-4-43, Sgt Madgett, Sgt Robinson, Sgt Palk, Sgt Bradley, Sgt Wakefield, Sgt Barker, Sgt Souter'. Signed by AOC. Supplied with caption ' Sketch of Lancaster by P/O A. Pollen drawn to…
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…
Notes they have had letter from chaplain at Chester to ask after her son and his crew. Unable to give her the names and addresses of relatives of his crew for security reasons while they are missing..
"Nazi backroom boys killed, Pennemunde raid wiped out air experts HQ". Account of Peenmeunde operation and background to research carried out there. Surrounded by other articles and further articles on the reverse.
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…
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…
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.
A minute by minute account of a night bomber operation on Germany. Found in the papers of an airman recently lost in action. Records every incident in flight of Lancaster.
List killed in action, died while prisoner and missing. Underlined is missing: Wing Commander William Mitchell Penman DFC. (Officer Commanding 61 Squadron).
Writes he read news in Telegraph and offers sympathy. Notes that there had been similar examples of such news at the office but then they had good news. Relates other news and hopes for the best.
From Elsie Richardson offering sympathy over report of Hedley missing and hopes they may hear good news soon. Writes that they would not know her but several years ago he was kind to her husband who often spoke of young Hedley. She continues with…