Letter from Bill
and Alice
Livesay
1945
to
John's sister Ann
(Annie),
passed on from Lorelle, transcript by Anders:
Dear
Ann,
19/7/45 When
we got hit we were over Denmark itself and heading for the East coast. I
gave John a pat on the back for luck as he was ready to jump, and he turned
round and looked at me but never said anything as we were in a bit of af
hurry. But he did not look in panic at all and already had hold of the rip cord handle. I watched him go and he got clear of the plane without
any injuries whatsoever, but I soon lost sight of him in the darkness. I
can’t understand the news about Johnny, because he should have been further
into Denmark than I was. Also I can’t understand the news about the other
two who are missing Johnny, the rear gunner and myself went out of the door
near the tail. It wasn’t an emergency door it was the one used for entering
the plane. The other four went out of the emergency door at the front. What
I can’t understand is that the engineer went first, bomb aimer second,
navigator third and the pilot at last. The first one out and the third one
are missing, and the other two are OK. If the two who are missing from the
front end of the plane had jumped one after the other I could understand it,
but not when they jumped alternately. I have seen the pilot and the bomb
aimer, but I have not seen the rear gunner although he is home. I thought
they would have written to you before now.
Sorry to say, but I never
received any of your letters while I was over there, and hope that you had
better luck in receiving mine. I am afraid that is all I can tell you, but
if there is any way I can help you at all please let me know. I told the
intelligence all I could when I came home and I went and made out another
report on it when I went back for my medical last week. Please inform me if
you receive any news at all. Remember me to your mother and father and the
rest of the family. Bill.
Dear
Ann, This is Alice. I would like to say hello to you. Please stop
apologizing when you write I
love getting your letters and only wish there was something we could do to
help you. Give my love to your Mother and family.
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Letter from Bill
and Alice
Livesay, 1946
to John's sister Ann,
(Annie) passed on from
Lorelle,
transcript by Anders: Dear
Ann,
11/3/46 I am
happy to say, we have received both your parcels. The cake was lovely and
none the worse for it’s long travels. The parcel was quite safe too, only
the tooth paste being a bit squashed. Bill asks me to tell you to thank your
mother. We all thank you from
the bottom of our hearts.
Well, Ann
I told you Bill had written to the Red Cross about Johnie, today he got a reply. I said I would let you know Ann if we got to know anything.
Well, I am going to keep that promise, although it is not pleasant news I
have. I am going to put the message word for word as we received it Ann I
think it will be better that way. Here it is
“The
R.A.F. & Dominions Missing Research & Enquiry Service have dis- covered that
the body of F/S Tree was washed ashore
on
the 19th of June 1944
near Ballebro Lighthouse, Avnbol, and was
buried on the 22nd of June 1944, in grave no. 23 in the Cemetery
at Aabenraa, Aabenraa, Denmark.”
Well, Ann, there is nothing I can say about that statement. We can only pray
for you all. I can’t write any more now Ann, so Goodnight and God Bless You
All.
All
my love. Alice.
XXXXX
Both AIR LETTERS were sent to
Mrs. A.
Gagliardi,
Grovely Terrace,
Mitchelton, N.W.3
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Sender’s name and address: Mrs. A. Yates,
47 John Booth St.
Springhead,
Oldham,
Lancashire,
England.
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