Letter from Leslie G Dashper to a Mrs Rickatson (a relation ) who sent him a letter after seeing an obituary in the paper. Leslie would have been about 70 years old when he wrote this.
"Vectis"
Littlehampton, 23-5-46
Dear Mrs Rickatson,
Thank you for your letter expressing sorrow and sympathy in our loss (presumably referring to the death of his son Wing Commander Robert Bruce Dashper shortly after the war), after getting through the war from the Middle East, Malta, and then Normandy on D Day to eventually Hanover and the finish it is terrible to lose him when it is all over.
I am the son of Gilbert John Dashper of Plymouth and like yourself have only heard of very few of the same name. One was a Dashper of Southhampton, another at Dublin and one I met (Miss Dashper) of Guildford. She was the daughter of my Father's brother (therefore must be referring to Emma, Edith, or Kate, daughters of William F Dashper and Elizabeth).
The name of your house "Moulton" may be only a coincidence but I have a very hazy recollection of the name as being a suburb or somewhere around Plymouth.
I regret delay in replying to your letter which was fowarded by the "Daily Telegraph" but my time just lately has been fully occupied.
My early youth was spent in Lincolnshire where the family resided after they left Devonshire in the 1860's or early 1870's.
That's about all I know of Devonshire and relations, have heard about 6 only met 1.
After reading over my letter it does not appear to me to be very helpful.
Thank you for yours.
Yours faithfully,
(sgd) Leslie G. Dashper