When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
1918 WWI Royal Flying Corps Censored Letter RFC Waddington Lincoln England
A rare, censored WWI letter written by an American pilot or airman serving with the British Royal Flying Corps — sent home to his mother in Kansas City, Missouri in April 1918.
Dated April 15, 1918, this remarkable piece of WWI history was written on official Royal Flying Corps, Waddington, Lincoln letterhead and mailed to Mrs. J.M. Coburn, 13 Westport Ave., Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.A. — making this a transatlantic wartime letter from an American serving with the RFC just months before the Armistice.
The letter survives with its original envelope, which bears:
- A bold \"OPENED BY CENSOR\" tape seal on the reverse
- The elegant RFC winged insignia with crown and the motto \"Per Ardua Ad Astra\" (Through Adversity to the Stars)
- A British stamp and censor number 3540
- The original address in period handwriting
What the soldier writes is candid and deeply human. He mentions hearing nothing from his mother lately, but receiving a letter from his father written March 25th. He complains of beastly weather grounding the squadron, a bout of bad liver keeping him in bed, and — most significantly — a knee injury that the Medical Officer has advised against operating on in England due to infection risk. He writes with quiet stoicism: \"I have plenty of bad luck anyway, don\'t I?\"
A significant portion of the letter has been redacted by military censors — covered with what appears to be opaque paste or paint — a vivid, tactile reminder of wartime information control and the surveillance every soldier\'s words passed through before reaching home.
Why this letter stands out:
- RFC Waddington is a real, historically significant airbase — still active today as RAF Waddington
- Written just 7 months before the Armistice during a critical period of the air war
- American serving with British forces — a relatively uncommon circumstance with collector appeal on both sides of the Atlantic
- Physical censorship still intact and visible — rare to survive in this condition
- Complete with original envelope, stamp, and censor markings
Condition: Good overall. Letter shows toning and handling consistent with age. Censored sections intact. Envelope shows light soiling, censor tape intact on reverse. Two folds on letter.
A compelling display piece for collectors of WWI aviation history, Royal Flying Corps memorabilia, military censorship ephemera, or Kansas City / Missouri history.
Our Business class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\">All items are shipped the next business day after confirms your payment via USPS from Noblesville, Indiana. Please note that items paid for on Friday will be shipped on the following class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\">We offer free returns within 30 days of purchase if you are not satisfied with your item.
In the unfortunate event of shipping damage, please contact us immediately. Kindly retain all original packaging as it may be required for potential USPS class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"> is a response Driven Platform, and we are always thankful to hear about your positive experience with our items, shipping, and service. If you are satisfied with your purchase, please take a minute to leave response regarding your purchase. Thank You!
Please click the Follow button on our store, to stay up to date on new listings, sales, and special events.
