[Stationery of: “Department of National Defence, Naval Service, Ottawa, Canada”]

27th September, 1943

Dear Mrs. MacMillan:

I deeply regret that I must confirm the telegram of the 27th of September, 1943, from the Minister of National Defence for Naval Services informing you that your husband, Joseph Francis MacMillan, Engine Room Artificer Fourth Class, Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve, Official Number V-17743, is missing on war service.

According to the report received, your husband is listed as missing, due to enemy action, while serving on Convoy duty in the Atlantic. For reasons of security further details of this incident of war cannot be released at this time.

It is requested that you will regard as confidential anything beyond the fact of your husband’s loss on war service until such time as an official announcement is made, as this information might prove useful to the enemy.

While your husband is listed as missing and virtually no hope can be held out for his having survived, Canadian Naval Authorities are unable to make an official presumption of death until a period of not less than three months has elapsed. If further information has not been received at that time, it is probable that official certification of death will then be made and you will be informed accordingly.

Please allow me to express sincere sympathy with you on behalf of the Minister of National Defence for Naval Services, the Chief of the Naval Staff, and the Officers and men of the Royal Canadian Navy, the high traditions of which your husband has helped to maintain.

Yours sincerely,
[signature]
Secretary, Naval Board

Mrs. Beulah MacMillan,
560 Adelaide St..