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My uncle, my father and my mother's pen-pal!

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posted on 2024-06-05, 19:35 authored by Their Finest Hour Project Team

Francis Tunstall (Uncle):

Left Plymouth - joined Royal Navy. Served aboard aircraft carrier HMS Courageous and was first survivor picked up.

Missing, presumed killed during the Battle of Crete. Not sailing but swimming to Turkey - left behind and seen as only option. Commanding officer sent letter to family regarding his disappearance/ being missing.

Letter from before the war to sister. (She met his brother-in-law who was serving in the army, Royal Sussex Regiment, might have been transferred). Met brother in law due to a photograph. Letter to mother from a 'lovely soldier' (not known) - no idea what happened to him.

George Burrage (mother's pen-pal)

Christmas card from Royal Family
Danced with Nancy Astor (first female MP) - picture in the newspaper (Western Morning News).

David George Glover (father):

Served in the Navy for 36 years. Naval seaman's orphanage when he was 6 or 7, and then Royal Hospital School.

He mainly worked with torpedos in the Navy. Received the Distinguished Service Medal (DSM).

History

Item list and details

1. Francis Tunstall 2. George Burrage 3. David George Glover

Person the story/items relate to

Francis Tunstall; David George Glover; George Burrage

Person who shared the story/items

Teresa Doreen Carlton

Relationship between the subject of the story and its contributor

Francis Tunstall (uncle); David George Glover (father); George Burrage (mother's penpal)

Type of submission

Shared at University of Plymouth, Plymouth on 15 November 2023.

Record ID

110187 | PLY017

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