WILLIAM MILES THOMAS - TYPED LETTER SIGNED 02/26/1952 - HFSID 81425

WILLIAM MILES THOMAS
The WWI veteran and prominent aviation and military defense businessman signed this typed letter in response to an angry complaint from General Sir Mosley Mayne
Typed Letter Signed: “Miles Thomas” in ink. Two pages of letter adhered to opposite sides of a larger 7¾x9½ sheet. Also attached: two newspaper clippings with short biographies of the signer. Dated February 26, 1952. Sent to General Sir Mosley Mayne. In Part: “The coincidence of my being at the place which is in part the subject of your complaint is fortunate in that I am able to look personally into the matter…I can assure you that there was no contradiction of orders.” This letter regarded a complaint that Mosley Mayne had regarding the handling of an airway terminal in New York City. King George VI passed away on February 6, 1952, and his funeral was held nine days later at St. George's Chapel in Windsor's Castle. Mayne, at that time in New York, tried to book a flight to arrive at the ceremony but, judging by his complaint, he missed it. Thomas must have been acting as a high-ranking business representative of some kind and possibly even knew Mayne personally: both men served in WWI. William Miles Thomas (1897-1980) was a WWI veteran and later a prominent airline businessman. While still a teenager, Thomas enlisted in the military and fought during the German East African Campaign as a member of an Armoured Car Squadron. He joined the Royal Flying Corps and earned his wings, when he proceeded to serve active duty throughout the Middle East region. Thomas earned the Distinguished Flying Cross for his service. He went on to become a businessman alongside William Morris, Lord Nuffield. After resigning as chairman of the British Overseas Airways Corporation in 1956, he was named chairman at Monsanto Chemical Ltd. William Miles Thomas was knighted in 1943, and he published an autobiography in 1964. Regular filing holes in large sheet along left edge. Paper is worn and lightly toned. Notes in pen on large sheet in unknown hand. Otherwise, fine condition.