Mother Believes Macklin Prisoner

Official news of the disappearance over enemy lines of Lieutenant Charles P. Macklin, son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles G. Macklin of Kenilworth avenue, Kenilworth, was received early this week by the parents from major Ronald McClintock, squadron commander, British Royal Flying Corps of which young Macklin was a member. The letter received by the parents, and dated May 31, reads:

"It is with the deepest regret that I write to inform you of the loss of your son, Charles P. Macklin, British Royal Air Forces. He went out with five other pilots to act as escort for another plane at 10:15 o'clock yesterday morning, May 30. At about 11:30 o'clock our machines were attacked by a number of enemy scout planes. During the fight which ensued your son's machine fell to earth within the enemy lines. Brother officers who saw him go down, I am sorry to say, are able to offer little hope of his being alive. Since your son has been with this squadron he has always proved a keen and capable officer and was steadily becoming a fine pilot, one we could ill afford to lose. He was very popular with the officers, and will be greatly missed."

Simultaneously with the official communication the parents received the last letter from young Macklin dated May 29. He wrote:

"The day before yesterday we lost our Flight Commander, Captain Bell. He was a wonderful flyer and one of the best fighters with the Royal Flying orps. I was on scout duty this evening. I could easily see the Germans and Cambrai. Tomorrow I am to go on escort duty at 7 a.m. The Huns are coming now mother. I can hear the sound of their motors. They are carrying loads of bombs. But why worry? It's a lot of fun watching them."
Lieutenant Macklin was 19 years old. Mrs. Macklin refuses to believe her son dead. "It does not make any difference to me what news comes. I will never believe my boy dead. I believe he is a prisoner."