World War II Letters Home April 18, 1940 - Estelles Wickenkamp

                                                                                            62 Abington Road
                                                                                            Cumnor, Oxford
                                                                                            England
                                                                                             18 - 4- 40

Dear Mrs. Wickenkamp:

Although we have not met, I feel as though I know you, having so much in common through Estelles.  I find it so difficult to express my sympathy in words,  as your grief must be infinitely greater than mine.

We had made such wonderful plans for the future.  He was looking forward to the time when he could return home, and I could meet the mother he talked about.  Man proposes but God disposes, and all these things were not to be,

Through our sorrow we can feel proud, we who loved him, as he died a hero.  In his uncontrolled machine,  he swerved to avoid the other friendly air crafts, thereby saving 12 other of his comrades' lives.  And we know he died happily, as it was his wish (if he was to die) to die fighting for his country.

I wish you could See my engagement ring, it is a lovely diamond solitaire, set in platinum, with 2 diamonds on each side.

My mother and father send their greetings and sympathy, as they too had looked forward to the time when they could call him son, although he had been treated as one for the past 12 months.  I trust you are feeling better by now. Do try and write me soon, as i am so anxious to hear from you.  However all this appears on paper, my heart is with you, and I am thinking of you all the time.



Yours in Deepest Sympathy

Renee Astell