MUST EXPECT NOTHING

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21159, 8 July 1940, Page 5

MUST EXPECT NOTHING

THOSE WHO SERVE AIRMAN’S MOVING LETTER (From a Correspondent) LONDON, June 23 “Those who serve England must expect nothing from her. We debase ourselves if we regard our country merely as a place in which to eat and sleep.” This is a passage from a noble and moving letter written by a young airman to his mother, with instructions that it be sent to her only if he was killed. Now he is posted missing believed killed. The mother, yielding to the entreaties of the boy’s commanding officer, consented to anonymous publication of the letter in The Times, which editorially describes it as a document which may well become a classic. This is the letter:— “Dearest Mother, Though I feel no premonition at all, events are moving rapidly. Should I fail to return from one of the raids we will shortly be called upon to undertake, you must accept the fact that I have handed my task on to extremely capable hands, my R.A.F. comrades, as many splendid fellows have already done. “Done My Duty” “It will comfort you to know that my role has been of the greatest importance, patrolling the North Sea to keep the trade routes clear. “Although it will be difficult, you will disappoint me if you do not at least try to accept the facts dispassionately, for I shall have done my duty to the utmost of my ability. No man can do more; no one calling himself a man could do less. “I have always admired your amazing courage. In the face of continual setbacks, you have given me as good an education and background as anyone in the country, and have always kept up appearances v/ithout ever losing faith in the future. “My death would not mean that your struggle has been in vain. Far from it. It would mean that your sacrifice has been as great as mine. Gave Their All “History resounds with illustrious names who have given their all, yet their sacrifice has resulted in the British Empire, where there is a measure of peace, justice, and freedom for all; where a higher standard of civilisation has evolved, and is still evolving, than anywhere else. “For all that can be said against it, I still maintain that this war is a very good thing. Every individual is having a chance to give and dare all for his principles, like the martyrs of old. “However long the time may be, one thing can never be altered; I shall have lived and died an Englishman. “You must not grieve for me, for if you really believe in religion and all it entails, that would be hypocrisy. “I have no fear of death, only a queer elation. I would have it no other way. “The universe is so vast and ageless that the life of one man can only be'justified by the measure of his sacrifice. “I have just one regret, one only—that I could not devote myself to making your declining years more happy by being with you.”