Wing Commander M. W. Gall
No. 428 Squadron
R.C.A.F. Overseas
6th May, 1945
Mr. J.M. Campbell
Strathclair, Manitoba
Dear Mr. Campbell
You
will already have received word that your son, Flight Lieutenant W.G. Campbell,
was killed in an air accident on the forenoon of 30th April, 1945, and
will I am sure, wish to have further particulars of the incident. These,
as you will understand, I must ask you to treat as confidential
Your son and his crew were detailed for a day cross country training
flight. Approximately, one hour after take-off, information was received
that the aircraft in which your son was flying had crashed. All members
of the crew were killed. It is regretted that no information regarding
the cause of this unfortunate incident is available. The aircraft was seen
spinning down, apparently out of control and hitting the ground with great
force. Your son was a very experienced pilot, having spent many months
as an instructor.
Owing to the time taken to communicate under present conditions, it
was not possible to ascertain your wishes regarding the funeral in the
time available and I had therefore to arrange for burial without reference
to you. You will, I am sure, understand the necessity for this action,
and I sincerely trust the arrangements we were able to make were what you
would have wished.
Your son's funeral took place at the Regional Cemetery at Chester on
the afternoon of May 4th at two o'clock. Full Service honours were accorded,
the coffin being carried by Air Force personnel. A firing party was
present, and the coffin was covered with the Union Jack. The Last Post
was sounded at the end.
Wreaths were sent from the Officers' and Sergeants' Messes, and I hope
to send you shortly a photograph of the grave, the number of which is A.707.
You will wish to know that all war graves are cared for by the Imperial
War Graves Commission, which will erect a temporary wood cross pending
the provision of a permanent memorial by them.
Your
son's affects have been gathered together and sent to the Royal Air Force
Central Depository, by which they will be forwarded to the Director of
Estates, Ottawa, who will be writing to you in this regard in due course.
May I now express the great sympathy which all of us feel with you in
the sad loss which you have sustained. It is indeed tragic that seven
young lives should be lost so near the end of what all free people have
been so long waiting for. He had been on the Squadron only a few days,
but his keenness and determination to complete his training were factors
noted by all members of the Squadron. I am sure that your son and his crew
would have helped to maintain the high reputation this Squadron has achieved.
I should like also to assure you how much we all honour the gallant sacrifice
he has made, so far from home, in the cause of freedom and in the service
of democracy.
Yours faithfully,
M.W. Gall
