AIRGRAPH LETTERS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 193, 16 August 1941, Page 7

AIRGRAPH LETTERS

Queen Inaugurates Service

From Britain

DOMINION TROOPS GREETED Rec. 11 a.m. RUGBY, Aug. 15. In the inauguration of the airgraph letter service from Britain, by which civilians may now communicate with troops in the Middle East, the Queen sent the following airgraph to General Sir Claude Auchinlech, Com-mander-in-Chief of the Imperial Forces there:—

"In this the first message by the new airgraph service to the Middle East I wish to tell you on behalf of all the women at Home how constantly our thoughts turn to all those under your command. I know how grievous is the separation which parts wife from husband, and mother from son, but I would assure those whose achievements have already filled us all with pnde that their example is an example of inspiration and I do not doubt that even greater accomplishments He before them.

"Many of them come from homes in our Dominions and to them l send a special message of greetings. Their valour has been the admiration of the world, and to one and all I wish a speedy victory and a sate return to their homes and those whom they love." The Queen's letter was followed by two letters from the PostmasterGeneral, Mr. W. S. Morrison—one to Mr Oliver Lvttelton, British Minister' in the Middle East, and the second to Ahmed Khafhaba Pasha, Egyptian Minister of Communications The next airgraph came from the First Lord of the Admiralty Mr { V Alexander, who sent greetings to the Commander-in-Chief .of the Mediterranean Fleet, Admiral Sir Andrew Cunningham. Manv airgraph letters have been received from all parts of London and the home counties. Reports from the provinces show the popularity of the service throughout the countrv Large postings are reported from all provincial centres. The airgraphs are being sorted into service units before photographing, to s-ve .soitine time at the base in the Middle Eetst.