Linton's 'sterling qualities'

Hannah Teale
Jun 13, 2023
2 min read

After Linton's death, Innes writes about Linton's many 'sterling qualities' in a letter to Bill Abbott. Bill and Linton did their flying training together in New Zealand, and traveled to England on the same ship - the Melbourne Star - during which time they became close friends.

The letter:

Addressed to: Sgt Pilot Wilmore Abbott, RNZAF, 415 The Strand, London, England.

Dear Bill,

I hope our cablegram reached you alright but in case it did not I want, at the very outset, to express the deep gratitude of my Father and Mother and myself for your letter, and for all you have done to make a knockout blow a little easier for us to bear.

I can assure you that we appreciate it much more than I am able to express in mere words and perhaps some day we may have the privilege of performing a kind action for you in some way or other.

It seems to me that, like ourselves, you must have come to know Linton as so few people really knew him and in so doing, been able to recognize and appreciate his many sterling qualities. Certainly he was not without faults, but, although he is my brother I say to you quite frankly that I have never yet met another man who was so versatile and yet possessed with so many admirable and charming characteristics molded into one person.

Naturally we are anxious to know some details surrounding Linton's tragic death, and we are looking forward to the time when you will be returning to this country, and will be able to tell us some of the particulars, which we look forward to hearing with almost pathetic eagerness.

Linton, as you can imagine, made many friends wherever he went, and you would be amazed at the scores of sympathetic messages which poured in from all parts of the country when news of his death became known.

We have been wondering about the possibility of having his body brought back here to his native soil, but so far have found out nothing about it. Perhaps it is a fanciful thought, but I believe we would feel comforted in the knowledge that he would be sleeping his last long sleep, in the valley he loved so well.

When you return home we hope you will come, with your wife, to stay with us for a time.

I think we will have much to talk about and I know we would enjoy your visit immensely.

Meantime, I would like to offer sympathy to you, in the loss of an obviously dear, and worthwhile friend, and to wish you everything possible towards a safe and speedy return to your homeland.

Kind regards and heartfelt thanks from us all,

Yours very sincerely,

Innes Jones