Geoffrey Rice

Geoffrey Rice (1917-1981) British Pilot Officer, Pilot of Lancaster ED936/G AJ-H of 617 Squadron on the Dambusters Raid, 16th May 1943.

Wartime A.L.S., Geoff, three pages, 8vo, Lincoln, 8th November 1943, to Mr. & Mrs. F. A. Rice (‘My Dear Dad & Anne’), on the printed stationery of RAF Station Coningsby. Rice writes a largely social letter home, commenting ‘I flew over Burbage & Hinckley yesterday (Sunday) about 3.30pm. We did about 3 circuits & there were lots of people waving to us. Hope you saw us!’ and also referring to various relations, including his Grandfather. Rice also enquires ‘Did you hear Noel Coward’s postscript last week. Absolutely wizard. Also last night the programme by Jack Byfield & his ensemble with organ before the midnight news. Grand stuff’ and sends a letter (no longer present) ‘from a civilian padre who stayed here with us for a week. He is one of a few parsons sent round by the Archbishop to visit RAF stations. He was a nice old chap & I flew him up to Prestwick near Glasgow. He was very grateful & gave me a “quid” to share among the crew’.

Accompanied by the original envelope hand addressed by Rice.

The printed address in the upper right corner of the second and third pages of the letter have been torn and neatly cut away, and with a couple of very light, extremely minor paperclip rust stains to the upper edges of two pages, none of which affect the text or signature.

Just three days after writing the present letter, on 11th November, Rice was involved in an attack on the Antheor viaduct and later in the same month he was awarded the DFC.