Just to round off the story started in Post #1, I got an email today saying;
Booking Reference: XXXXXXX
Dear Mr Old Not Bold
Thank you for contacting British Airways, please find below your voucher code(s). This is for the value of what you paid for your original flight.
125-nnnnnnnnnnn
This voucher can be used as part payment towards a future booking. It must be redeemed for travel on flights taken within 12 months from the date of the first flight in your original booking.
When you wish to make a booking in the future, please phone the British Airways contact centre. They can redeem the voucher against a future booking.
Please visit our website for more information about the voucher and how to use it.
Warm regards,
British Airways Customer Service
So that was worth waiting for. Many thanks, BA. Strangely, an email sent 12 minutes earlier said;
Booking Reference: ?XXXXX
Dear Old not Bold (no Mr this time),
Thank you for contacting British Airways. Unfortunately, your booking is not eligible for a Future Travel Voucher because the booking reference provided has not been recognised. Please check your booking reference.
We apologise for the inconvenience.
Warm regards,
British Airways Customer Service
But I guess we can put that down to understandable confusion in difficult circumstances, and just ignore it.