NO MORE SONS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20602, 1 November 1941, Page 6

NO MORE SONS

THREE BARONETS LOST £25,000 FOR A BOMBER LONDON, Sept. 20 “I have no more sons to carry on the fight. . . . But I want to make a mother’s reply, attacking in the way my boys would have attacked — sharply,' straight to the mark ... I give you £25,000 to buy a bomber to carry on their work.” These proud words were written in a letter to the Air Minister by a mother who has lost her three sons—two of them on active service with tl*e 'Royal Air Force. She is Lady Macßobert, of Douneside, Tarland, Aberdeenshire. Her three sons were: — Sir Roderic Alan Macßobert, Bart., serving with a fighter squadron of the R.A.F. in the Middle East —killed in action on May 22, 1941, fourteen days after his 26th birthday. Pilot-Officer Sir lain Workman Macßobert, Bart., of the Coastal Command —reported missing- on June 30, 1941. He was the youngest, 24. Sir Alasdair Macßobert, Bart., the eldest soni who was killed whik flying his own aeroplane here in 1938. He was 26 when he died. Lady Macßobert’s £25,000 is to buy a Stirling bomber, which is to be named “Macßoberts’ Reply.” Letter to Air Minister Here is Lady iMacßobert’s letter, as she wrote it to the Air Minister: — It is my wish to make a mother's immediate reply in the way that 1 know would also be my boys’ reply; attacking, striking sharply, straight to the mark —the gift of £25,000 to buy a bomber to carry on their work in the most effective way. .. This expresses my reaction on receiving the news about my sons. I am proud to read what you say about their work. I never doubted but that they would do their duty. I appreciate your personal expression of sympathy at this time. I can only hope that my youngest son may yet return.

In .any case, they would be glad that their mother replied for them and helped to strike a blow at the enemy. So I feel that a suitable name for the bomber would be “Macßoberts’ Reply.” Might it carry the MacRobert crest, two fronds of bracken, with hand grasping an Eastern crown —or simply our badge—a frond of bracken and an Indian rose crossed? Let it be used where it is most needed. May good fortune go with those who flv it.

I have no more sons to wear the badge or carry it in the fight. My eldest son, Sir Alasdair, was killed when his own aeroplane crashed soon after he had flown home from India in 1938. Sir Roderic was the third baronet and joined the Royal Air Force in 1938. lain, my youngest, had just become the fourth baronet.

None of them ever looked for the easy way. If I had had ten sons, I know they would have ali followed that line of dutv.

It is. with a mother’s pride that I enclose a cheque for £25.000, and with it goes my sympathy with those who have also lost their sons and gratitude to all other mothers whose sons so gallantly carry on the fight. Machine to Carry Crest Lady Macßobert said yesterday: “I presented the money for the bomber so that we can hit the Germans hard and often. “I shall attempt to follow the exploits of the bomber, but I have no particular place I would like to see bombed. “I hope othpr people will follow suit. We need all the bombers we can get.” The Air Minister has acknowledged Lady Macßobert’s gift, saying that a Stirling bomber will be bought with it. The aeroplane, be adds, will carry the Macßobert crest and badge with the clan motto, “Glory is the reward of valour.”