Address reply to:
The Secretary Department at
National Defense for Air,
Ottawa, Ontario.

(CREST) R160789 (R.O.)

ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE

Ottawa Canada 1st October, 1946.

Mr E.J. Hansell
Bar 147,
Vulcan, Alberta.

Dear Mr. Hansell:

A report from the Missing Research and Enquiry Service in Germany unhappily gives complete details regarding your son, Flight Sergeant Harry Ernest Hansell, and his crew.

The aircraft crashed on the night of 27th September, 1943 about 1.5 miles South of Eberholsen in a forest. This town is located approximately 22 miles South of Hanover, Germany. The aircraft exploded when it hit the ground and unfortunately individual identification of the crewmen was not possible. Your son, together with his crew, were laid to rest in the Town Cemetery at Eberholsen in a Communal Grave located in the North East corner of the cemetery. The grave is nicely kept and marked by a cross upon which is inscribed the names of the crew.

It is intended that Royal Canadian Air Force casualties buried in Germany will be concentrated in British Military Cemeteries in order that the Imperial War Graves Commission can give assurance that their graves will receive perpetual care. This is a task of some magnitude and naturally it is not known when your son and his crew will be re-interred but you may rest assured that immediately this information is available it will be passed to you at once.

The reverent care of the burial places of all who served in the Royal Canadian Air Force is the task at the Imperial War Graves Commission and these graves will be supported and sustained by the Dominion of Canada. I hope that it may be of some consolation for you to know that your gallant son's grave is in sacred care and keeping.

May I again extend to you my most sincere sympathy in your great loss.

Yours sincerely,
"B. Liggettich,"

R.A.F.C Casualty Officer
for chief of the Air Staff.