Sometimes this add-on helps for this issue:

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/thunderbird/addon/show-all-body-parts/

http://xenos-email-notes.simplesite.com/416814616

Sorry, I did download the add on but it didn't help. I was wondering if the fact the email came from an organization which says 'do not reply.... ' if this is of significance ? Thanks for any help

I don't think the 'no-reply' is significant, as that's a common part of bulk mailings. Note that when you embed, as opposed to attach, an image in an outgoing TB message, the image is in fact 'attached' to the message, although the recipient doesn't see it as a normal, attachment, i.e. there's no paperclip icon.

Do these messages you receive have embedded images? If so, the paperclip icon might appear because the sender's email program is causing TB to interpret embedded images as normal attachments. In other words, there are no other attachments beyond those displayed as embedded images.

That may be the case as it does not come as normally a message does. I couldn't save it to show you and send as an attachment so I copied and pasted it... Hoping maybe you could confirm whether what you said is in fact the case... I tried to save it even as a picture but couldn't seem to though it appeared as a document

  	World Vision Canada 	World Vision Canada

Dear Mr. & Mrs. ........,

Thank you for your donation of $50.00 received on October 22, 2015. Your generous gift in support of Syrian Crisis will help make a real and lasting difference in the lives of children and families in need.

Your gift also qualifies to be included in an official annual donation receipt. If you wish to receive your tax receipt electronically or to review your donation history, go to Account Log In.

Thank you and God bless you for making this generous impact in the lives of children!

Michael Messenger President, World Vision Canada

P.S. Thank you for not only saving lives but transforming them. Your gift is benefitting children and entire communities. Click and see your donations at work around the world Annual Report.

World Vision is a Christian relief, development, and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, families, and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. As followers of Jesus, we are motivated by God's love to serve all people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender.

1 World Drive. Mississauga, ON L5T 2Y4 | 1-866-595-5550 | Privacy & Security

This transmission is intended for the sole use of the individual and entity to whom it is addressed, and may contain information that is confidential and may not be disclosed under applicable law. You are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or duplication of this transmission by someone other than the intended addressee or its designated agent is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please notify us immediately by return e-mail and delete the original message. Thank you. This disclaimer may not be removed for any purpose.

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A message, particularly one with graphics, is made up of many parts, some of which may be attachments and others may be images. Thunderbird cannot always tell which is which, so it pessimistically warns you of possible attachments.

In truth, there is not much difference between embeds and attachments. Anything which isn't simple text needs to be encoded and added to the message, and the process for doing this is pretty much the same in both cases. An embedded image simply has a link and a pseudo address that allows it to be displayed in-situ. Structurally, it is an attachment.

This helps me immensely to know that not always an attachment is actually there in this type of email. I won't drive myself crazy anymore wondering where it is. Thank You Zenos and sfhowes for your help!