B-17 CC Additional Material by Robert M Stitt

Inscription commemorating
Richard John Weatherhead
at the Air Forces Memorial at
Runnymede. (Terry Hissey)
Meanwhile, your son’s kit has been taken into safe custody and forwarded to the RAF Central Depository
where it will be held until better news is received, or for at least six months, after which time it will be forwarded
to you through the Administrator of Estates, Ottawa.
The other seven members of the crew were all Canadians, too, except one. Dick has had them as his crew
ever since he joined the squadron, and under his leadership they made a very excellent team. He has been
through several varieties of unpleasantness in his time with the RAF, and came through them well. He is an
experienced captain and a very sound pilot, and I have been pleased with his operational results, although
he has not had time to do anything spectacular yet. In our particular job, spectacular incidents are fairly
rare, but I know he was going about the work in a methodical and resolute way, and it would have gone ill
with any U-boat that came his way.
We are all longing for good news of him and feeling for you in this awful time of waiting. I have written
to Mrs. Aldridge and will let both of you know immediately there is any news. Meanwhile if there is any way
in which I can help you, or if there is any further information you would like that it is in my power to give,
please do not hesitate to write.
Dick Weatherhead and his crew were never found.
With special thanks to Hugh Halliday and the Mission Community Archives.
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