In The Royal Naval Air Service - free ebook by Harold Rosher

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In The Royal Naval Air Service

Harold Rosher

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In The Royal Naval Air Service

In The Royal Naval Air Service

BEING THE WAR LETTERS OF THE LATE HAROLD ROSHER TO HIS FAMILY WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY ARNOLD BENNETT LONDON CHATTO &amp; WINDUS 1916 All rights reserved PRINTED IN ENGLAND BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, LIMITED LONDON AND BECCLES PRINTED IN ENGLAND BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, LIMITED LONDON AND BECCLES...

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INTRODUCTION

INTRODUCTION

Harold Rosher was born at Beckenham on the 18th November, 1893, and was educated at The Dene, Caterham, and subsequently at Woodbridge. Although as a boy he suffered severely from acute asthma and bronchitis, he did well at school; and the pluck which carried him through the moral distresses of asthma helped him to hold his own in games, despite the fact that up to the age of sixteen he was considerably under the average height. As his health did not cease to give anxiety, he was taken for a hol

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I. To his Father.

I. To his Father.

Dear Dad , Am getting on famously and having a most amusing time. After I wrote you yesterday I went out and had my first lesson. Mr. Stutt, our instructor [for the British and Colonial Aeroplane Co.], sits immediately behind you, controls the engine switch and covers your hand on the stick. He took me straight up two or three hundred feet and then volplaned down. He always does this with new pupils to see how they take it. I think I managed to pass the ordeal all right. I had two or three fligh

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II. To his Father.

II. To his Father.

Dear Dad, Only a few lines, as it is already late, and I still have plenty to do. The latest excitement down here is a balloon, especially for our use. It is to be up all night, and we have to take turns in keeping watch from it; four hour shifts, starting to-morrow night. She has 4,000 feet of wire cable, but I don't suppose we shall be up more than 1,500 feet. It will be frightfully cold work, and in all probability we shall all be sea-sick. On Saturday night we had a Zeppelin scare from the A

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III. To his Grandmother.

III. To his Grandmother.

Dearest Granny , Can only send you a few lines just now as I am so frightfully busy. Thanks so much for your letter received two days back. Am hard at it now from 4.30 a.m. to 11.0 p.m., and one day in five for 24 hours on end. Our latest acquaintance is a captive balloon in which we are to take turns to keep watch in the night. It will be terribly cold work. The watches are 4 hours each, and we shall probably be about 1,500 feet up in the air—the full limit of cable is 4,000 feet. I quite expec

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IV. To his Father.

IV. To his Father.

Dear Dad , Many happy returns. I started writing you last night, so that you might get my letter first thing this morning, but was fated not to finish it. We had another false alarm and my place was on the 'phones. I didn't get off until 12.30 a.m., so gave it up as a bad job and started afresh this morning. I expect you will have seen in the papers about the accident last night. Lieut. G—— went up in the Henri Farman, and on coming down made a bad landing—internal injuries—machine absolutely pi

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Note.

Note.

An interesting letter, written in September, is missing. In this the waiter described a balloon trip that he made over London in the dark, ultimately coming down near Ashford, and having an exciting experience while landing. Early in October, 1914, the aviator went from Hendon to the Royal Naval Air Station, Fort Grange, Gosport. A letter of this date is also missing. It described his first cross-country flight, when, owing to engine failure, had to make three forced landings (from heights of ab

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V. To his Father.

V. To his Father.

Dear Dad , Many thanks for note received this morning. Shall try to get home for inoculation in about a fortnight. From what I can make out, we shall not get our squadron together until the end of January. We were to have gone over at the end of this month. We may, however, go over in pieces, a flight at a time. If the Germans reach Calais, we shall stay here permanently for home defence, but at the rate we are progressing, we shan't be ready until March, and then, maybe, the war will be over. I

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VI. To his Father.

VI. To his Father.

Dear Dad , Thanks so much for your birthday letter [his 21st birthday], which I had just time hurriedly to read through this morning. Late last night we had orders to shift, and everything has been a rush ever since. I have left all my luggage at Fort Grange and have only a small dispatch case with me. Am very disappointed. As the C.O.'s machine was not ready to go, he collared mine, and I am travelling as passenger. However, it can't be helped. We left Fort Grange about ten this morning and arr

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VII. To his Father.

VII. To his Father.

Dear Dad , Received letters forwarded from Fort Grange last night. It was much too foggy for my trip to Hartlepool yesterday afternoon, but I went for a short flip [flight] around, and am glad I did so, as I found out the lie of the land. This morning it was beautifully clear, and I started off soon after 9.0 a.m., with a mechanic, to patrol the coast up north to Alnmouth. It was awfully cold with rather a strong cross wind. I got right above one lot of clouds. It's a wonderful sight too, as in

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VIII. To his Aunt.

VIII. To his Aunt.

Dear Aunt Ethel , Thanks so much for your birthday letter. I only received it the night before last and have been unable to answer it until now. You are right about flying. As soon as one gets well into the air, things seem to take on quite a different aspect. It is the same as when one gets on a high hill, only in a greater degree. Our work of patrolling the coast is very interesting, but unfortunately Newcastle seems to be either enveloped in a thick fog, or a gale of wind prevails, so that we

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IX. To his Father.

IX. To his Father.

Dear Dad , Have had a great day. Motored out to Redcar on business and visited Durham Cathedral on the return journey. It's a magnificent spot. The Cathedral is on top of a high hill with the river flowing through a ravine on one side and two fine old bridges. It's one of the finest sights in England. The town itself, too, is very quaint. Have heard no more about going to the front.... The C.O. is now in France, and from what I can gather is making preparations for us all to go out immediately a

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X. To his Mother.

X. To his Mother.

Dearest Mum , Another sudden move. Monday night some of us received orders to shift here the following morning. I got all my gear packed and off in the transport first thing, and kept my little hand-bag in the machine. Two went off before me, as I burst a tyre to begin with—rather a bad start. In my second attempt I got well off, but found my air-speed indicator was not working and my compass dud, so came down again. As I could procure no more, I decided to start. I nearly upset getting off, as

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XI. To his Father.

XI. To his Father.

Dear Dad , So you are home again at last. Did you get the letters I wrote to Liverpool when you were going off? There has been very little doing here lately. Awful bobbery last night over the Yarmouth scare. We were standing by our machines until midnight. I think they [the Germans] are sure to pay us a visit soon. I hope it isn't at night, though. I flew for about half an hour this morning. The French coast was as plain as Punch. We each have our own machines at last. Mine is the actual machine

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XII. To his Father.

XII. To his Father.

Dear Dad , I wrote home last on Wednesday, and, as you no doubt guessed, there has since been something on. I could not, of course, let you know, as our success or otherwise depended greatly on secrecy. Wednesday was a very busy day. I tested my machine for half an hour in the morning, and by the evening everything was in tip-top running order. During the day ... machines arrived from Hendon, Eastchurch, etc., etc., also ... seaplanes turned up. Among the Hendon crowd was Grahame White and one o

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Note.

Note.

The following is the Admiralty's official account of the raid described in the foregoing letters :— "During the last twenty-four hours, combined aeroplane and seaplane operations have been carried out by the Naval Wing in the Bruges, Zeebrugge, Blankenberghe and Ostend districts, with a view to preventing the development of submarine bases and establishments. Thirty-four naval aeroplanes and seaplanes took part. Great damage is reported to have been done to Ostend Railway Station, which, accordi

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XIII. To his Father.

XIII. To his Father.

Dear Dad , I arrived here safely in excellent time after quite a comfy journey. Mr. and Mrs. Riggall left yesterday, but during the course of the afternoon I received a very nice letter from him ... [Their son, Lieut. Riggall, was "missing"]. If you can possibly manage it, come down to-morrow (Thursday) night. In case I am unable to meet you at the station, come straight on to the Burlington. I will reserve you a room. The Dunkirk boat was missed twice by torpedoes yesterday. She is now running

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XIV. To his Mother.

XIV. To his Mother.

Dearest Mum , I only had time to scrawl off a few lines to you this morning, as the mail was just going out. We have been pretty busy the last day or so getting things shipshape. I am at last settled in a quite nice house with seven others. Maude and I are the two senior inmates, so are running the establishment. Unfortunately, we have no bath, but five minutes' walk from here there are some public baths, where we can get a hot tub any time between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. We are acting as our own cens

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XV. To his Mother.

XV. To his Mother.

Dearest Mum , Have just got your letter of the 4th inst. It arrived late in the day, after Dad's. I am afraid this has missed the mail; so won't go off for a couple of days. I have just come off duty; we get three days at it on end. There's no baccy to be procured out here, so could you send me on a ½ lb. tin of Friars' Mixture (medium)? Am just back from a little bomb-dropping stunt over Ostend, but keep it quiet until it appears in the papers, or if it doesn't, allow say a week. It was bitterl

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Note.

Note.

The following is the Admiralty's official account of the raid described in the foregoing letter :— "Wing Commander Longmore reports that an air attack on Ostend was carried out yesterday afternoon (7th March) by six aeroplanes of the Naval Wing. Of these two had to return owing to petrol freezing. The remainder reached Ostend and dropped eleven bombs on the submarine repair base and four bombs on the Kursaal, the headquarters of the military. All machines and pilots returned. It is probable that

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XVI. To his Father.

XVI. To his Father.

Dear Dad , I have struck rather an unfortunate day to-day. To begin with, this morning I was taxying my machine to the far end of the aerodrome, to start off into the wind, when I got into some very soft ground—result, before I knew where I was, I found the machine standing up on its nose. Fortunately, the only damage was a broken propeller, which didn't matter, as it was already chipped and was going to be replaced. In the afternoon I had quite a good trip, just over an hour, and quite long eno

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XVII. To his Mother.

XVII. To his Mother.

Dearest Mum , Have had a great time to-day. First thing in the morning the C.O. gave Maude and myself the whole day off. We promptly secured a car, passports and pass-words, had an early lunch, and then sallied forth full of hope to see the War . Our password held good until we got into Belgium, and then proved "dud." The sentry, however, very kindly supplied us with another. We were rather unfortunate in getting a tyre punctured, but half a dozen Belgian soldiers rushed up and asked us if we wa

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XVIII. To his Mother.

XVIII. To his Mother.

Dearest Mum , Whatever induced you to do it? The tobacco, etc., arrived, but the toffee had all melted, and a more sticky mess you can't conceive. It was as much as I could do to read your letter. I managed to rescue some of the toffee and the general opinion on same is that it is very good. Two letters from Dad and the sleeping bag arrived by same mail, for which many thanks. I had to make a hurried landing on the sands to-day owing to an exhaust cam [valve operating mechanism] breaking. Flew m

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XIX. To his Father.

XIX. To his Father.

Dear Dad , Very little news of interest to tell you. I was sent out suddenly yesterday afternoon late to look for a Zepp, but saw nothing. It was dusk by the time I got back, and an inlet valve went just as I was coming in. I couldn't reach our aerodrome, but just managed to scrape into the Belgian one alongside. The French brought down a Taube to-day and one yesterday (anti-aircraft guns). They are getting nearly as hot as the Germans. I can tell you that some of us are beginning to think our c

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XX. To his Mother.

XX. To his Mother.

Dearest Mum , Another fine day, and let's hope the weather will last. The town this afternoon is crowded with small girls all in white—long skirts and veils—confirmation, I suppose. Have spent a very busy day tuning up my bus, and am not over satisfied with it now. To-morrow at the crack of dawn I am off on another stunt, this time more hazardous than ever. When I start thinking of the possibilities, or rather probabilities, I go hot and cold by turns; so endeavour to switch off on to something

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XXI. To his Mother and Father.

XXI. To his Mother and Father.

Dearest Mum and Dad , Another successful little jaunt. Five of us were chosen to go—Capt. Courtney [Major Ivor T. Courtney, Squadron Comdr., R.N.], Meates (who travelled up to town from Dover in the train with Dad), self, and two subs named Andreae and Huskisson. Courtney and I got there and back, Meates [B. C., Flt. Lieut., R.N.] came down in Holland with engine trouble, and is interned.... Andreae [P. G. Andreae, Flt. Lieut., R.N.] lost his way in the clouds and fog, and came back, and Huskiss

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Note.

Note.

The following is the Admiralty's official account of the Antwerp raid :— "The Secretary of the Admiralty yesterday afternoon [24th March] issued the following communication from Wing Commander Longmore:— I have to report that a successful air attack was carried out this morning by five machines of the Dunkirk Squadron on the German submarines being constructed at Hoboken near Antwerp. Two of the pilots had to return owing to thick weather, but Squadron Commander Ivor T. Courtney and Flight Lieut

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XXII. To his Father.

XXII. To his Father.

Dear Dad , I had quite a good time yesterday with Courtney, although the weather was so bad. We started out gaily through Bergues, a ripping little town, then Cassel, a most delightful spot. It is perched up on a hill in the middle of a plain and you get a grand view around. We visited some R.F.C. people at St. Omer, had lunch there and then went out to Wipers (Ypres). There was nothing doing there, but even though we had all sorts of passes, we could not get near the firing line. The Cloth Hall

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XXIII. To his Mother.

XXIII. To his Mother.

Dearest Mum , We can hear the guns when the wind is our way, and on a clear day we can see shrapnel bursting in the air. What do you think of this story, the latest from the trenches? It's not quite a drawing-room one! One Tommy, speaking to another over the trenches:—"Ello, Bill, got a lice over there?" "Garn, we ain't lousy." "I mean a boot-lice." Love to all. P.S.—Meates did get to Hoboken and came down in Holland on return journey. Tell Dad to let me know when he is coming, as near as possib

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XXIV. To his Sister.

XXIV. To his Sister.

Dear old Girl , I really feel I owe you a few lines, as you have honoured me with several epistles lately, which I fear have remained unanswered. Did my last letter to Mother arrive very sticky? It left here sopping wet, and thereby hangs a tale. I hadn't time to re-write it, as the mail was just going out. I unfortunately had the letter on me and, in conjunction with myself, it got rather a bad ducking. I was sent up with an observer this morning in a Vickers gun bus (a pusher machine), and all

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XXV. To his Father.

XXV. To his Father.

Dear Dad , Many thanks for letter received yesterday telling of your safe return. I think you must have omitted enclosure. By the way, the papers turned up the day after you left. Have been very busy the last two days with our new busses. None have been flown yet, but we are prepared for fireworks. Three men have been killed on them in Paris in the last month. Babington and Sippe are both back. S—— G—— turned base over apex on landing his tabloid [fast scouting machine]. Sad to relate, I have de

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Note.

Note.

About the end of April Lieut. Rosher crashed on his Morane at Dunkirk. The machine overturned and was completely smashed, but he came out uninjured. [9] Lieutenant-aviator Roland Garros (French) was forced to land near Ingelmunster, in West Flanders, on the evening of the 18th April, and was taken prisoner. [10] The villa where he was billeted....

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Note.

Note.

In the second week of May, 1915, Harold Rosher arrived home unexpectedly with orders to fly a new machine, a B.E. 2 C, from Hendon to Dunkirk. He tried the machine, but was not satisfied with the engine. On the 12th May, however, he telephoned to his father to come to the aerodrome to lunch with him, as he intended, if possible, to make a start immediately after lunch. The latter accordingly joined him, and about 3 p.m. Harold got into the machine and his father bade him farewell. As he rose, on

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XXVI. To his Mother.

XXVI. To his Mother.

Dearest Mum , I was up betimes yesterday morning, but did not get away from Hendon until about 7.0 a.m. I could only secure half a dozen biscuits and a cup of tea before leaving. It was very thick, and clouds at 4,000 feet. I went via Harrow, Staines, and Redhill. Once at this last place, all you have to do is to follow the railway line, which runs straight as a die to Ashford. My engine was most alarming, making all sorts of weird noises, and I was kept very busy the whole way spotting the fiel

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XXVII. To his Father.

XXVII. To his Father.

Dear Dad , I have at last arrived safely at my destination. Yesterday was a rotten day, but I motored to Dover in the afternoon and from there into St. Margaret's Bay, where I saw the holes made by the Zepp bombs. They were most disappointing, being very small, one foot by six inches deep. They were incendiary and not explosive. I took the air from Folkestone this afternoon at 3.15 and circled round for 15 minutes, getting to only 2,000 feet. At that I pushed off across the Channel. My engine de

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XXVIII. To his Mother.

XXVIII. To his Mother.

Dearest Mum , Have not written for ages, but you must excuse, as we have been so busy. This is really my first opportunity. All sorts of things have been happening. To begin with, the Commander announced the other night that the whole wing is going to be recalled within the next two months, so I shall anyhow be home again before long—expect to go into seaplanes. We had a Zep scare the other night, though it was blowing half a gale. We were at the aerodrome all night, and went up at 3.0 a.m. for

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XXIX. To his Sister.

XXIX. To his Sister.

Dear old Girl , Just a line or so, which I fear will be late, to wish you many happy returns. I suppose I shall have to forget these occasions very shortly, or at least to pretend to. Am enclosing a pound note for you to get yourself some oddments, as there is nothing to be had out here. I went into Dunkirk for lunch to-day—every one was very cheery. I had a wonderful view of part of the front this evening, every trench and shell hole standing out with extraordinary clearness. Am hoping to be ho

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XXX. To his Father.,

XXX. To his Father.,

Dear Dad , Have had quite a number of thrills since I wrote last. Yesterday afternoon I reached a height of 10,400 feet on my Avro on a reconnaissance, which is my height record so far—some vol plané descending. In the evening we had a 'phone message, "Stand by to attack Zeppelin," and on looking out, there it was as large as life a few miles out to sea and very high. We rushed up to the aerodrome and got off by 8.40 p.m. I went straight out to sea after it and got to 6000 feet in 15 minutes, bu

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XXXI. To his Mother.

XXXI. To his Mother.

Dear Mum , Just a line to let you know how I fared last night. I left the aerodrome in the moonlight at one in the morning and I did not at all relish it. I went out to sea past Zeebrugge and cut in over Northern Belgium. Could see the lights of Flushing quite plainly, but it was quite hopeless to find my destination, owing to a thick ground mist, so I returned, dropping my bombs on Blankenberghe on the way. I was only away 1¾ hours, and it was just getting light as I got back. I landed with the

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XXXII. To his Father.

XXXII. To his Father.

Dear Dad , Very little news to tell you, but thought you might like a line or so. I saw in the papers that poor old Barnes [12] has been killed and Travers [H. C. Travers, Flt. Sub-Lieut., R.N.] slightly injured. You remember meeting them both at Hendon. Their names appeared in the casualty lists, so I presume it was not an ordinary smash. Have heard no particulars, but I should fancy they both went up at night after the Zepps, and either had an engine failure or misjudged landing. That's anothe

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XXXIII. To his Mother.

XXXIII. To his Mother.

Dearest Mum , I think you cannot have been getting all my letters, as I have never let 10 days go by without a line or so. You are so insistent on numerous letters that you must really excuse the margin or I shall reduce to postcards. Yes, I got the five pounds all right and am urgently wanting the other. You don't seem to fully realize yet that I have left Dunkirk, and that there is not, and never has been, such a thing as a bank within miles of the place. The camera and papers turned up yester

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XXXIV. To his Father.

XXXIV. To his Father.

Dear Dad , We are now in tents. Great news about Warneford, isn't it? He certainly deserves the V.C. Am going to fly a Nieuport to-morrow. Things have been going on much as usual the last few days, but to-morrow I am going down south somewhere (I don't yet know where) to do some spotting for the army. Expect to be away about ten days or perhaps two weeks. Address all letters as usual. It will probably be some time before I receive them. I quite expect I shall run across a number of people I know

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XXXV. To his Mother.

XXXV. To his Mother.

Dearest Mum , It's ages since I wrote, but it can't be helped, as I have been so awfully busy. For the last week I have been in the neighbourhood of La Bassée, and of course by now you have seen in the papers all about the heavy fighting there. The bombardment was terrific, quite impossible to describe. One day, in the afternoon, I saw it all from above. The small section of trenches they were shelling was simply a mass of smoke and dust, a perfect hell. In the evening of the same day I went out

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XXXVI. To his Father.

XXXVI. To his Father.

Dear Dad , Very little news. From what I can see, we are likely to be down here for at least another two weeks. I don't much mind, as in a way I would sooner be here for a little. The change though has rather worn off. Am not a bit comfortable, my billet being a horrible dirty place, with all sorts of weird odours. Food pretty fair, but none too clean, and all eating utensils invariably very dirty. I suppose tennis is in full swing at home. Pity I'm not due for another spot of leave yet. I got t

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Note.

Note.

On the 25th July, 1915, Harold Rosher arrived home on two days' leave, having come across to attend a conference....

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XXXVII. To his Father.

XXXVII. To his Father.

Dear Dad , Have had a ripping journey back. The country down to Folkestone was just too lovely for words, especially round Ashford. Saw Milverton [the house where he was born] on the way. Had a first-rate crossing, and was met by one of the Rolls [Rolls-Royce car] at Boulogne, so your wire arrived all right. Had lunch at the "Folkestone" before starting back, and then a topping run here. Went out to see the lads at F—— in the evening. Sippe is back again and Baillie in great form. He sends his c

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XXXVIII. To his Father.

XXXVIII. To his Father.

Dear Dad , I left Dover yesterday afternoon on B.E. 2 C, and had a convenient engine failure at Westgate. Landed in the aerodrome and had a chat with Maude before proceeding. Arrived here in due course—it is a most desolate spot. Shall be here anything between three days and three weeks. Saw Babington here soon after I arrived. I don't seem to be able to get away from this damn war. Last night "old man Zepp" came over here—"beaucoup de bombs,"—"pas de success." Two machines went up to spikebozzl

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XXXIX. To his Father.

XXXIX. To his Father.

Dear Dad , Have just arrived here from Eastchurch, having been suddenly recalled, and am now told to be ready to cross to Dunkirk in half an hour—no gear, dirty linen, "pas de leave"—what a life! Shall try hard to get some leave in a week or so's time. Anyhow I must get my khaki outfit. Love....

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XL. To his Mother.

XL. To his Mother.

Dearest Mum , Got aboard and were off by 8.0 p.m. last night—our ship a comic old tramp with absolutely no accommodation. It took us 6 hours to make Dunkirk and we were not allowed off until 8.0 a.m. this morning. Spent the night walking about or trying to get a little sleep on deck—thank God! it was not rough. We are all "fed to the teeth!" In all probability we shall remain out here another six months now. The Zepp that was bombed from here had actually been towed right into Ostend harbour. Ev

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XLI. To his Mother.

XLI. To his Mother.

Dearest Mum , I am being kept very busy out here. Last night there was a comic raid on the Forest of Houthulst. It is six or seven miles behind the lines near Dixmude, and the Huns use it as a rest camp—beaucoup de stores and ammunition there too. The French idea was to set it on fire with incendiary bombs. Over forty machines took part, including self—perfect weather conditions—no clouds but very hazy, so when one got high up one was almost invisible. I got just over 11,000 feet, but even then

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Note.

Note.

The French official account of the raid described in the foregoing letter was as follows :— "A remarkable series of air raids against German positions or works of military value are reported in yesterday's Paris communiqués . In two of them the air squadrons were larger than any previously reported since the beginning of the war. In one 62 French airmen took part.... The other great raid was undertaken by airmen of the British, French, and Belgian armies, and the British and French navies, to th

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XLII. To his Father.

XLII. To his Father.

Dear Dad , What do you think of the 40 warships bombarding Zeebrugge? We were all due out there, of course, some spotting, and fighters to protect the spotters. As luck would have it, the weather was dud—clouds at 1,500 feet—with the result that no one got there except a solitary fighter, and he was rewarded by a scrap with a German seaplane. I got just past Ostend, but gave it up as engine was running none too well. By the way, Bigsworth [A. W. Bigsworth, D.S.O., Squadron Comdr., R.N.] this mor

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XLIII. To his Father.

XLIII. To his Father.

Dear Dad , Am back again in England at last and am expecting to get two weeks' leave in a day or so. I got here at midday yesterday, having flown over from Dunkirk on a Nieuport. Drove out to Margate yesterday afternoon with Spenser Grey. Shall probably go out again on the 1st December. Just a line to let you know my probable movements. Though I am due for two weeks' leave, it seems improbable that I shall get it just yet awhile, but shall not be returning to Dunkirk until December 1st, when I s

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XLIV. To his Grandmother.

XLIV. To his Grandmother.

Dear Granny , Am so sorry to hear you have been having such a rotten time, but trust you are by now well on the road to recovery. I have been having an awfully busy time lately. The King came down here to inspect us on Thursday, and shook hands with all the officers in the afternoon. Am by degrees helping to get together another squadron to go out to Dunkirk. We are due across there half way through next month. I am not particularly anxious to go out again just yet, unless we can really get a mo

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XLV. To his Father.

XLV. To his Father.

Dear Dad , I have got wind of something rather priceless ... for when the war is over, I will tell you a little about this scheme, only remember it's strictly private and confidential, so you must not mention it to any one. In a nutshell it's this, a flight from —— to ——. It sounds rather impossible at first, but I think quite a number of people would have a shot if they could get some one to pay expenses. This is where I get a look in. The experience anyhow would be wonderful. One of the subs h

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XLVI. To his Mother.

XLVI. To his Mother.

Dearest Mum , Just a short line to let you know I am crossing to Dunkirk to-morrow, weather permitting. I am flying a R.A.F. B.E. across and returning the same day, in a Nieuport if available, otherwise in a destroyer. Am quite looking forward to the trip. Have already crossed the Channel three times by air and about twelve by water. Beaucoup de love....

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XLVII. To his Father.

XLVII. To his Father.

Dear Dad , Had a most interesting day yesterday. Started off across Channel for Dunkirk soon after 8.0 a.m. in a R.A.F. B.E.—engine running badly at first, but picked up. A most priceless morning with a slight following wind—5,000 feet at Calais, and made Dunkirk in about ¾ hour from here. All the lads in great form, but Petre [J. J. Petre, D.S.C., Flt. Comdr., R.N.] and Peberdy [W. H. Peberdy, F. Sub-Lieut., R.N.] in Paris, and Mulock [R. H. Mulock, D.S.O., Flt. Comdr., R.N.] in hospital with a

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XLVIII. To his Mother.

XLVIII. To his Mother.

Dearest Mum , Many thanks for letter. Am still going strong. Flew four different types of machines to-day, two of them new ones, one a Shorthorn Maurice, and the other a Blériot. The Blériot is the first monoplane I have flown other than a parasol. You have heard me mention Graham (with Ince he brought down the German seaplane). Well, he has just had an awful bad crash at Dunkirk. Penley [C. F. B. Penley, Flt. Sub-Lieut., R.N.] also has crashed badly twice out there, and is now back on sick leav

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XLIX. To his Father.

XLIX. To his Father.

Dear Dad , Had hopes of seeing you for a few minutes to-day. Had the weather been fine, Husky and I were motoring to Town in the morning with Capt. Lambe in a Rolls, and both bringing machines back in the afternoon from Chingford. As it is, of course, the weather is impossible. I was away first, in under three minutes, the other day when the Germans were reported over Ramsgate. I was over the North Foreland in quarter of an hour at 6,000 feet. Was just turning, when I sighted a seaplane miles be

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L. To his Mother.

L. To his Mother.

Dearest Mum , Another raid on Deal to-day, five bombs dropped and one man killed. I took over the War flight this morning, and had a patrol in the air at the time. I myself and others were off within a few minutes of receiving the signal, but no one even saw the machine. Over sixty ratings arrived this morning without warning, and I had to make all arrangements for them to be fed, housed and washed. All of them were Derby recruits and had been in the Service 24 hours, mostly graded as A.M. 2nd c

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LI. To his Father.

LI. To his Father.

Dear Dad , Many thanks for letter received yesterday. Risk is still in town. I would far sooner get out East somewhere than any home station or Dunkirk. I understand shortly there will be great alterations in the R.N.A.S. Rumour has it again that we are to give up land machines entirely and stick to seaplanes. Drove over to Eastchurch yesterday on business, roads in places 18″ deep in snow. Coming back I had a priceless skid and finished up in a ditch. No one hurt or even shaken. Returned here b

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