F/O Derek Hurlstone Allen May 1940

[Peter Cornwell]

Andy,

As you have no doubt come to accept over the many years in which you have been actively engaged in such research, recognition by way of any public plaudits or even simple acknowledgement is rarely forthcoming. So you should take satisfaction for initiating this investigation (and others) from its eventual outcome which is, after all, the over-riding objective and something that I know you do. Given restraints of budgets and other finite resources, one can maybe fully understand and well appreciate the authorities' less than proactive stance in such matters. That said, my view is that there would be undoubted benefit in their adopting a much more collaborative approach and allowing limited/controlled access to official casualty files by accredited/approved civilian researchers who have extensive relevant knowledge and necessary experience to offer. I guarantee that the clear-up rate on 'Unknown' RAF burials would improve.

Keep at it,

Peter C