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
