R102787
Department of National Defence

Ottawa, Ontario

1st December, 1952

Mrs. Maria Scandiffio,
336 Hillsdale Avenue East,
Toronto 12, Ontario.

Dear Mrs. Scandiffio:

It is with reluctance that after so long an interval, I must refer to the loss of your son, Warrant Officer Class 2 Thomas Peter Scandiffio, but due to the lack of any information concerning him since he was reported missing. It must be regretfully accepted and officially recorded that he does not have a "known "grave.

Due to the extreme hazards attending air operations there are, unhappily many thousands of British aircrew boys who do not have "known" graves and all will be commemorated on General Memorials that will be erected at a number of locations by the Imperial war Graves Commission (of which Canada is a member), each memorial representative of a theatre of operations. One of these Memorials will be erected at El Alamein, and the name of your son will be erected on that Memorial.

The attached verification form was received from the commission with the request that it be forwarded on to you for completion and return direct to them.

I realize that this is an extremely distressing letter and that there is no manner of conveying such informaion to you that would not add to your heartaches. I am fully aware that nothing I may say will lessen your great sorrow, but I would like to express to you and the members of your family my deepest regret.

Yours sincerely,

for (W.R. Gunn)

wing commander

R.C.A.F. Casualties Officer,

for chief of the Air Staff.