Author Topic: Illegible handwriting on a WW2 document  (Read 1536 times)

Offline JustinL

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Illegible handwriting on a WW2 document
« on: Sunday 01 January 17 17:14 GMT (UK) »
The image below is of part of the Bomber Command Loss Card for Lancaster W5008, which was shot down over Nuernberg in the early hours of 28.08.43.

I can make out most of the text, but would be very grateful for some help with a few words.

In relation to Perry (mid-upper gunner) and Crowther (rear gunner), the text appears to say 'reported dead by German authorities, {…} reply received {...} time of a/c being abandoned, believed killed'.

Is it perhaps 'up to time of ...'?

As for the final line, I can make out the word 'not' and little else.

Justin

Offline Bookbox

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Re: Illegible handwriting on a WW2 document
« Reply #1 on: Sunday 01 January 17 17:23 GMT (UK) »
Is it perhaps 'up to time of ...'?

Yes, I think so too.

As for the final line, I can make out the word 'not' and little else.

Could be ... I was not an eye witness (or similar).

Offline Colin Cruddace

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Re: Illegible handwriting on a WW2 document
« Reply #2 on: Sunday 01 January 17 17:25 GMT (UK) »
I think the bottom line reads 'I was not an eye witness'
I can't help with the other bits, sorry.

Colin

Added: Beat me to it, but I'll post anyway.

Offline Annie65115

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Re: Illegible handwriting on a WW2 document
« Reply #3 on: Sunday 01 January 17 18:43 GMT (UK) »
In between "Crowther" and "believed killed", does it say "being abandoned"?
Bradbury (Sedgeley, Bilston, Warrington)
Cooper (Sedgeley, Bilston)
Kilner/Kilmer (Leic, Notts)
Greenfield (Liverpool)
Holyland (Anywhere and everywhere, also Holiland Holliland Hollyland)
Pryce/Price (Welshpool, Liverpool)
Rawson (Leicester)
Upton (Desford, Leics)
Partrick (Vera and George, Leicester)
Marshall (Westmorland, Cheshire/Leicester)


Offline JustinL

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Re: Illegible handwriting on a WW2 document
« Reply #4 on: Sunday 01 January 17 18:54 GMT (UK) »
Thank you for the replies.

Very well done for deciphering the last line.

I can definitely read 'being abandoned', but my next question was going to be whether we agree that 'believed killed' follows.

Apparently a great many of these Loss Cards were written by the one person in this truly awful handwriting.

Offline Treetotal

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Re: Illegible handwriting on a WW2 document
« Reply #5 on: Sunday 01 January 17 19:40 GMT (UK) »
I  can see believed killed too.
  Carol
CAPES Hull. KIRK  Leeds, Hull. JONES  Wales,  Lancashire. CARROLL Ireland, Lancashire, U.S.A. BROUGHTON Leicester, Goole, Hull BORRILL  Lincolnshire, Durham, Hull. GROOM  Wishbech, Hull. ANTHONY St. John's Nfld. BUCKNALL Lincolnshire, Hull. BUTT Harbour Grace, Newfoundland. PARSONS  Western Bay, Newfoundland. MONAGHAN  Ireland, U.S.A. PERRY Cheshire, Liverpool.
 
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Offline Bookbox

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Re: Illegible handwriting on a WW2 document
« Reply #6 on: Sunday 01 January 17 19:52 GMT (UK) »
Me too. I think it’s a single comment for Perry and Crowther (bracketed together) ...

 ... reply rec(eive)d up to time of a(ir)c(raft) being abandoned, believed killed

(perhaps No reply ?)

Offline CockneyRon

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Re: Illegible handwriting on a WW2 document
« Reply #7 on: Sunday 01 January 17 20:15 GMT (UK) »
Hi Justin, these little alterations to the document may help :)

Offline Treetotal

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Re: Illegible handwriting on a WW2 document
« Reply #8 on: Sunday 01 January 17 21:18 GMT (UK) »
I wondered if it said "alive when a/c absconded"?
Carol
CAPES Hull. KIRK  Leeds, Hull. JONES  Wales,  Lancashire. CARROLL Ireland, Lancashire, U.S.A. BROUGHTON Leicester, Goole, Hull BORRILL  Lincolnshire, Durham, Hull. GROOM  Wishbech, Hull. ANTHONY St. John's Nfld. BUCKNALL Lincolnshire, Hull. BUTT Harbour Grace, Newfoundland. PARSONS  Western Bay, Newfoundland. MONAGHAN  Ireland, U.S.A. PERRY Cheshire, Liverpool.
 
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