WAR ITEMS

Grey River Argus, 20 August 1940, Page 10

WAR ITEMS

VOLUNTARY WAR GIFTS. NOW OVER £3,000,000 [British Official Wireless] RUGBY, August 18. Lord Beaverbrook announces that, voluntary gifts now received from th e public for the purchase of aircraft amount to over £3,000,000. Lord Beaverbrook has received the following letter from Mr ,H. H, Merrett: “On Sunday last, we received thp tragic news that my son, Flying Officer Norman Merrett, has lost his life somewhere in Britain, while serving with the R.A.F, On Monday morning, we wok e to find, as a result of a raid, five of our stor e cattl, e killed, and others badly maimed. The village in which we live lg one IdOO acres, with a population of 100. These tragic circumstances have served only to strengthen the determination of this little community to prove to the despicable enemy that we arc unconquerable, and have set our hearts to ris e to th e greatest possible heights in assisting you and your colleagues in the admirable ef _ forts you are making to defend and feed th e people of the most-sacred spot on God's earth. I cannot provide you with another gallant son. The one who has gone was my only son, but I want you to accept from the village of Michaelston le Pit the enclosed cheque for £5OOO, to purchase a Spitfire, so that one of thei ever-growing number of lads from

Britain and the Dominions, so be equipped wlith an instrument which, combined with that indomitable spirit of courage and fearlessness, will' enable him, as his colleagues are now doing, to take a severe toll of these insane beings who ar e attempting, with increasing failure, to demolish the morale of our people. Every member of this community is subscribing towards the Spitfire. It is not a personal gift, but something to commemorate th e passing of my son.”