Three times in three years Lady MacRobert, Massachusetts-born widow of Sir Alexander MacRobert of Tarland, Aberdeenshire, was handed one of the tiny yellow envelopes. Inside each one was a telegram beginning: "The Air Ministry regret. . . ."
The first advised Lady MacRobert that her son, Sir Alasdair, 25, had crashed in England. The second told her that son Sir Roderic, 26, had been shot down in Iraq. The third reported the loss of son Sir Iain, 24, who was known as "the perfect Coastal Command pilot." With no more sons to give to...
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