From Fire to Faith and Freedom

The devastating telegram telling his family Jimmy was missing, believed killed in action

That 'following' letter referred to was dated 14th September 1944. It said: Air Ministry, Casualty Branch, 73-77 Oxford Street, London W1. Sir, I am commanded by the Air Council to inform you that they have with deep regret to confirm the telegram in which you were notified that your son, Sgt Evan Walter James, Royal Air Force, is missing believed to have lost his life as a result of war operations on 4th September 1944. The telegraphic report from Air Force Headquarters, North Africa, states that during a fighter bomber attack on a bridge in the Rimini area, Italy, your son's Kittyhawk aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire and was seen to dive into the ground. Before the crash occurred your son had reported by radio that his aircraft had been hit.

Jimmy may have been a bit worse for wear but he had survived the shooting down and capture. He knew he was OK but two days later back in Wales his family were to receive the telegram that every wife, mother, father, sister, brother etc prayed they would never receive or have to read. It was to his father Dan and read: Priority D James Esq, 11 Bridgend Road, Llangynwyd. From Air Ministry 73 Oxford Street W1. 6.9.44. Regret to inform you that your son 1653092 Sgt E W James is reported missing but believed to have lost his life as a result of Air Operations on 4th September Stop Any further information received will be �ommunicated to you immediately Stop Letter following shortly Stop

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