| Admin/Biog History | Frederick [Derick] Waterfield and his wife Barbara took their own lives on 24/25 June 1940 in Menton, France. |
| Description | A two-page typed letter from [Derick Waterfield] to 'My dear children', written from 'La Jouvence' and dated 17 June [1940]. It is accompanied by an envelope addressed to 'A.H. Waterfield', postmarked 'Pau, Basses-Pyrénees' and '17 Vi 1940'.
The letter appears to be a final correspondence from [Derick Waterfield] to his children Anthony and Humphrey, written as a safeguard should anything happen to the author and his wife in view of their home city of Menton's imminent invasion by the Nazis. It begins by noting the recent surrender of France, how England might fight back, and being cut off from England in terms of letters and newspapers. It speculates on the possible fates of the Waterfields in the event of Menton being invaded, with one possibility being 'we have killed ourselves' to prevent capture and internment by the Gestapo. Most of the letter covers practical matters such about money, and the location of personal effects and valuables. It ends with paragraphs on efforts by families who are staying with the Waterfields to evacuate from Menton and how the author has bought a 'Knight's automatic' [gun].
Found inside the front cover of the journal at DHW/1/6 - Syria, Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey: 1955.
Related material can be found in DHW/1/6/3 - Letter from William Dewhurst and enclosure. |