I am enclosing the type of letter that one receives from parents of a pilot killed in action. One of the penalties of being a C.O. is to write to their people and it is no sinecure I can tell you.
Feb. 25.43
Dear Mr. Martyn
I am deeply grateful for your letter of sympathy from yourself, 880 Squadron, it is an almost unbearable blow to me as Anthony went from home so full of life and anticipation of service with the Fleet Air Arm which he loved, now all is over for him and for me.
He had mentioned you to me and I had wondered if you were pleased with his progress.
There is one thing you could do for me if it is not asking too much and that is would you write to Anthony's brother Peter who is serving in India, they were good friends, it will be a great shock to him and he would appreciate a letter from you - the address is
5252326 Sgt P.C.A. Smalley
B.A.G. (Poona)
Kirkee, India
I have sent him a cable of course and written.
Yours Sincerely,
G. Evelyn Smalley
Dear Mr. Martyn
I am deeply grateful for your letter of sympathy from yourself, 880 Squadron, it is an almost unbearable blow to me as Anthony went from home so full of life and anticipation of service with the Fleet Air Arm which he loved, now all is over for him and for me.
He had mentioned you to me and I had wondered if you were pleased with his progress.
There is one thing you could do for me if it is not asking too much and that is would you write to Anthony's brother Peter who is serving in India, they were good friends, it will be a great shock to him and he would appreciate a letter from you - the address is
5252326 Sgt P.C.A. Smalley
B.A.G. (Poona)
Kirkee, India
I have sent him a cable of course and written.
Yours Sincerely,
G. Evelyn Smalley
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