Diary And Letters Of A World War I Fighter Pilot, The (27 page)

Planted lettuces in morning. Messed about on bike in afternoon. Went down the hill after dinner and bike conked. Pushed it up the hill!

Read in evening. Headache and sore throat. Mummies birthday, God bless her.

 

DIARY Thursday 6th June

Up to town with Dad by 9.49 train. Went to Taylors and Cox's. Find I have £60. Got hat and went to the Air Board and after a lot of lip from a rotten Capt: was told to report at Croydon. Then to see “Chu Chin Chow” – wonderful spectacle but play poor. Home by the 10 train.

 

DIARY Friday 7th June

Heard from C.O. and F.E.C. in morning. Jack [Captain J. Gilmour] has got 2 bars to his M.C., Leitch [Captain A.A. Leitch], Peacock and Williams got the M.C. 65 has got 53 Huns since April 1st – Damn good! To dentist in morning teeth stopped and cleaned. Down town with Mum and Dad after tea. Florie left in morning and Mary after giving the most ghastly lip in evening and was hoofed out of the house on the spot! Read and stuck in pictures after tea.

Winnie Baker in after dinner and asked us to tennis tomorrow. Shall take [?] without doubt! Slight French success in evening.

 

DIARY Saturday 8th June

Planted tomatoes and dug bed with Dad in morning. Mrs Garratt and Mrs Landorf Smith in to tea. To tennis at the Bakers in evening. Played rottenly and lost every set! The Vicar consistently cheated and the lawn was awful! Played bowls with Dad after dinner.

 

DIARY Sunday 9th June

To Kirk in morning. Fair Sermon. To tea at Garratts in afternoon, raining. Saville Garratt there. To Kirk after that v.good sermon but not an “Excuse me”! “War march of the priests” as voluntary after service. Read and looked at Joe's Bible after Kirk. Bed early v.tired.

 

DIARY Monday 10th June

Packed all morning. Down town twice. Got shoes and bag and a few books and things. Coldish day. Finished packing in afternoon. To tennis with Winnie Baker after tea. Played poorly, lost 2 and won 1. Ground bad and wind fierce. Ginger to Soldiers home in evening. Played bowls with Dad after dinner.

 

DIARY Tuesday 11th June

Eheu! Alas!

Up to Town with Mum got my new tunic. To see the “Maid of the Mountains” in afternoon. Very good show. Tea at the Troc: Down to Joyce Green by the 6.20. Posted to No 63 T.S. Withers as C.O., Vann [?] and Shanks here. Did a little flipping very tired.

 

DIARY Wednesday 12th June

Flipped about in morning and did a little dual after tea. Feeling fine flying again. Some Aerodrome! In a hut with Nicholson. *In ‘A' Flt with Capt. Lee as O.C. Pretty hard work here.

* See his Book p 212 “No Parachute” (Jarrolds 1968) P.

 

DIARY Thursday 13th June

Instructed in morning. To Biggin Hill with Nick in afternoon to see Brian. Saw new Scout and Handley. Back contour chasing. Nick is some pilot! Instructed after but none of buses would go! Wisrlet fell off in evening! Bad omen!

 

DIARY Friday 14th June

Early flying at 6.a.m – Instructed in morning and then Withers and I flew off in Avro to Ware. Ran into rain, landed o.k. Got taxi up to Home. Had lunch and then at 6 Withers and Dad and I went to Ware. I was going to swing prop for Withers. Withers got in and I sucked in when the bally thing suddenly started and prop hit me on head – cut a 6” gash! Carted to hospital and bled like a pig. Skull not bust – thank God! Taken to theatre and seven stitches. Feel pretty rotten.

 

DIARY Saturday 15th June

Some headache all day! Not allowed to move or read or anything. All family to see me. Head stopped bleeding.

 

DIARY Sunday 16th June

Better. Read a bit and smoked a bit. Head still bad. Bed all day.

 

DIARY Monday 17th June

Bed all day. Better, v.nice here at County Hospital – v.nice nurses. Got a lot of letters.

 

DIARY Tuesday 18th June

Better. Read and wrote and smoked all day.

 

DIARY Wednesday 19th June

Stitches taken out. Head all healed up. Just collodion dressing out, now bandage, as bald as a coot!

 

DIARY Thursday 20th June

Bed all day – Better.

 

DIARY Friday 21st June

Bed all day o.k. Getting up tomorrow.

 

DIARY Saturday 22nd June

Up for lunch and came home with Mum in a cab. Feeling v.groggy but all right otherwise. Back to hospl: at night.

 

DIARY Sunday 23rd June

Up for lunch and home. In to Hants in afternoon. Ronnie Strubell there! Wotto! Back to sleep at hospital.

 

DIARY Monday 24th June

Up for lunch. Home. Gardened in afternoon. Dud day and v.cold. Walked down town. Slept at Hospital.

 

DIARY Tuesday 25th June

Home for lunch. Up to college in afternoon. Inspection by Sir William Robertson, v.good show. Saw Lowe and others got a lift down town in Daniel's car. Saw Winnie Baker. Slept at Hospital.

 

DIARY Wednesday 26th June

Discharged from Hospital. No word from Air Board. Matron to tea in afternoon. Swept paths etc and read and smoked. Chilly day rather. Mum bad gout in foot.

 

DIARY Thursday 27th June

Down to Hospital in morning. 3 letters, 1 from Air Board but no news of M.B. – they are rotten people! In garden fete at Hants in afternoon. Ronnie there. Awful. Felt like a wet rag! Bought things I didn't want! Mum still bad.

 

DIARY Friday 28th June

Went down town in morning and carried home all Mum's things. Dad bought ‘em. That fish!! Read in afternoon and then clipped all the border for Dad. Pretty tiring work. Gally and the kids came in evening.

Bed at 12. Finished book “The Pendulum” – rather poor. Pretty tired.

 

DIARY Saturday 29th June

Heard from Air Board in morning. “Are you on leave?!!?” So I went up and saw Mr Blooming Findlay. Got to report at 63 T.S. and wait there for a Board. Phoned up Withers, told him what I thought of the Air Board,
was Air Board phone!
Findlay heard me, simply coughed blood and foamed at the mouth! Awful. That's put the Air Board's back up!! Lunch at Callard's and then down to Jack. Tea at Young's. Watched tennis – what tennis!

Then home by the 6.30 train – almost missed it. Headache in evening, rather tired.

 

DIARY Sunday 30th June

To Kirk in morning with Dad. Gin to College. Mum in bed. Ronnie Strubell in for tea in afternoon. Very nice too, awful pretty girl but I couldn't say a word!

Talked to Mum in evening.

Back Home

DIARY Monday 1st July

Up town by 10.50. Met Jack and Fergus and lunched at Troc: Then to see “Tails up” – jolly good show. Splendid tea at Troc: and then down to J.C. by 6.30 train. Rather a head in evening. Made an awful noise in Mess after till 1am. I foamed at the mouth and raged and gnashed but to no purpose. Sleep na poo till 1.30!

 

DIARY Tuesday 2nd July

Got up late. Read and loafed around ‘drome all day, v hot. Did nothing in particular.

 

DIARY Wednesday 3rd July

Flew down to Wye in morning with Holland. Forced landed having lost prop. in a field. The prop started on “switch off” nearly hit it! Saw the DOC: at Wye. Up to town with H. in staff car in evening and went to see “The Boy” on a borrowed £1.10s! Dash good show. Back by 10.50. Stood up most of way – v full! Up in Withers car. Chilly night.

 

DIARY Thursday 4th July

Loafed around in morning. For a flip with Baron before lunch. Prop started on one bus, knocked out an A.M. Was going to Bexhill but couldn't start engine. To a dance at Vickers in evening ‘dashed' good show. Met Miss Baker and ‘clicked' sat out most of time – held her hand. Going to tea on Sunday. Back at 2 a.m.

 

DIARY Friday 5th July

Fooled about in morning. To Gravesend at 3-5. Met by Barbara and John. Trip in pony cart! Barbara v pretty but no v bon! Up to town with John after tea.

Dinner at Frascatis – Turbot with our old friend the Waiter. A1 meal. To see Tabs' after – dashed poor show. Down by 10.55. Bed at 1am. Gee I am tired!

 

DIARY Saturday 6th July

Tired with rather a head in morning. V.cloudy day. Down to meet Barbara and Nickie in afternoon but they neither of them dropped up – dashed rude of ‘em. Head worse in afternoon pains all over. Sports in afternoon quite good but I was too dud to notice them much. Bed directly after dinner: saw Doc, no temp, but feeling poor. Soaked up 5 quinines and slept fairly well.

 

DIARY Sunday 7th July

A bit better, 3 more quinines up at 12. Still feel sore and headachy but simply must go out this aft.!!! Withers heard from JC, poor little Eaton has gone West. Most awfully sick about it – one of the v best lads that was ever seen. R.I.P. guess I'll skate with him in Valhalla, anon.

 

DIARY Monday 8th July

Up at 11.30. Did nothing much. Feeling pretty poor. Too much quinine.

To bed after had bath at 3. Stayed in bed till 6.30, then up. Feeling better.

 

DIARY Tuesday 9th July

Up after brekker. Down to aerodrome. Feeling better – nearly o.k. Met Prudence at Station at 5.40. Up to town. To dinner at Frascatis, then to see “Tails up” – damn good show. Then down by 10.50 and saw her home. v good day, v nice too!

 

DIARY Wednesday 10th July

Just loafed about aerodrome in morning and did nothing. Up to town with Baron by 6.40. Cloudy day and inclined to rain. To see ‘Fair and Warmer' – goodish show. Then to R.P.H. till 11.30 – then bed at Charing Cross Hotel.

 

DIARY Thursday 11th July

To Arkwright Road for Board at 9. Sat there till 11.15. Then examined after much trouble managed to wangle 14 days leave and a free warrant to Troon! Dashed good show! Down to Sqn: and packed up and grovel a free return from Troon. Up by 5.40 and caught 7.50 train down home. Raining most of day. Gal and Leon here – v tired – bed.

 

DIARY Friday 12th July

Down town in morning with Mum, Gal and Leon. Sent off a few wires etc, walked up. Slept in afternoon. Mrs Young into tea and brought Gladys here. Nice wee kid. Sore throat all day and pretty bad in evening. Compress round throat at night.

 

DIARY Saturday 13th July

Down town with Mum in morning. Did some shopping. Back for lunch. Winnie Baker in to tea. Played bowls after tea. Pretty hot day. Throat better but a bit sore in evening. Slept in afternoon. Read in evening. Got up bike from garage.

 

DIARY Sunday 14th July

To Kirk in morning. Loafed around in afternoon. Kirk with Mum in evening.

 

DIARY Monday 15th July

Gally left. Dad and Mum and I up to town in morning. To see “Going Up” in afternoon, v good but I had a sore throat. Saw D & M home. Dinner at King's Cross after sitting in R.R.H.

Up by 10.15 train. Awful trip – packed train. Didn't sleep and v sore throat. 6 in carriage.

 

DIARY Tuesday 16th July

Arrived Edinburgh 8 am. Raining hard. Brekker at N.B. Hotel. Got book at Elliotts. Taxi to Dodds. Cleared up in afternoon. Tea at Cairn's then to Molly's then to Burnhead after dinn. Climbed tree and went all round house. Met Maddy. Sore throat.

 

DIARY Wednesday 17th July

To see Mol. in morning. Left at 4.45. Taxi to town at 2.30. Met Maddy and had tea at Mackie's Très bon. To Troon by 4.45. Arrived for dinner. Bed at 10.30. Sore throat awfully bad. Slept rottenly.

 

DIARY Thursday 18th July

Sore throat better in morning. Did nothing much except loaf about house and played gramophone. Asprin at night.

 

DIARY Friday 19th July

Throat rotten. Brekker in bed. To tennis party at Blair's in afternoon. Did not play, don't like Mrs Blair! Raining later. Took Jubes for throat. Poor night. Letter from Ivy. Topping.

 

DIARY Saturday 20th July

Throat better. Brekker in bed. Played tennis in afternoon. Pretty badly but v good time. Big crowd in but not anything to notice. Played gram: in evening. Molly
is
a good girl.

Wrote letters. Molly put things in my bed.

 

DIARY Sunday 21st July

To Kirk with Auntie in morning. Loafed about all day. Grand day. Took 12 photos. The Boyds in for tea. Simply ragged Molly's head off at night.

In bed late.

 

DIARY Monday 22nd July

Saw Molly and the Georges off. Jack to Glasgow. Raining all day. To bridge with Aunt to tea in afternoon simply awful! Aunt talked all time. Lost 1/-. Played bridge after dinner and won 1/4d.

Leaving at 9 tomorrow. Rotten!

 

DIARY Tuesday 23rd July

Left by the 9am train. Fairly good trip down after changing at Kilmarnock. Seat in dining car. Funny little man got in at Leeds and would pay for my tea!! Arrived London at 8.30. Caught 9.16 from Lpl St. Nightmare trip! Brox at 10.30 and got home at about 11.15 v tired! May here – how topping.

 

DIARY Wednesday 24th July

Rather a head all day. Down town in morning. Gally came in afternoon with Mrs Young; Binnery. All ‘family' here except Elsie. Played bowls with Dad and Mum after dinner. Then taught girls to play “Auction” till 11pm. Bed v.tired.

 

DIARY Thursday 25th July

May and Eily and Mum and I down town in morning. May and Eily left at 2.30 – went for a stroll with Dad. Gin and I to End of Term cagger at College in evening v good show sat next to I. Then joined in rage and went to hear “carrying” in Colvin. Taxied home.

 

DIARY Friday 26th July

To town with Mum by 10.40. Met by Eily and Dorothie then met May. Lunch at Corner House – v full. Things went a bit wrong and rather a quibble – Also rain – To see “Tails Up” again – trés bon! Saw Mum and May off in taxi. To G. & S. Coy with watch and then down to J.G. by 6.20.

Poor old Baron killed also fellow from my room – Gunther.

Lost 7/- at bridge!!

 

DIARY Saturday 27th July

Down to shed in morning: saw Lee. No flying at all for me! Washed out at 12 and then up to town after lunch with Campbell. Rainy day. To see Hun busses at Islington. Dinner at Frascatis before that sat in R.P.H. Home by 9.30 after long discussion on higher ethics with C! Mo: biked home in dark.

Brown killed and Taylor burnt in collision. This is
some
Squadron!!

 

DIARY Sunday 28th July

Up dual with Lee in morning. Fairly fine all day. Washed out in afternoon – down to Dartford on bike Ch: with Baker biked home. Took a Camel up after dinner and flat spun trying to loop it! In a trance! Bed fairly early.

 

DIARY Monday 29th July

Up at 7.30, v thick, took up Camel didn't feel very happy! Loafed round after brekker. Took up Campbell in Avro before lunch and then washed out. To see Barbara at Northfleet. To Cinema with B. & Phyllis not so bad. Home for dinner, played billiards with McGuire after dinner.

 

DIARY Tuesday 30th July

Did nothing in particular all day. Flipped twice v.hot & stuffy day. Dance in evening. Jolly good show. 9 – 2.30. Danced a lot and quite well on the whole. Flew to Dover at lunch and brought back awful Camel. Saw Cummings [2nd Lieutenant J.C. Burnay-Cummings?].

 

DIARY Wednesday 31st July

Took up man in morning. Washed out after lunch. To Fete at Gravesend. Saw Barbara and went to Cinema and then meal at Kings Head! Up town after. Slept at Charing Cross Hotel – v tired.

 

DIARY Thursday 1st August

To Board at 9 a.m. Finis at 11.30. Lunch at Elysée with Shone and then down home in afternoon. Dorothie there and May and Eily. Played croquet. Bed at 11.

Got to leave at 7.40 tomorrow.

 

DIARY Friday 2nd August

Arrived at 11 a.m. Pretty late! took up Sgt Drew. Williams drowned in Camel in Creek. Went to forced landing.

One or two flips in day. Rain in afternoon. Yank nurses in to mess!! Bed at 11.

 

DIARY Saturday 3rd August

Rain till 10.30. Then flew hard all day and afternoon. Showery. Took up Camel and dual Camel and instructed on Avros. To Australian hospital for small dance at night. V v.dull. v.rude girls those M.T. drivers are!

Bed at 12.30. 3 hrs flying in day. v tired.

 

DIARY Sunday 4th August

Flew in morning. Gin and Bunty came down at 4pm not having had my wire. Tea at Sqn. Did a few stunts in Camel for them. Then they left and I instructed rest of time. Not to Kirk. No time.

 

DIARY Monday 5th August

Early flying. Dud after 7. Rain at intervals in day. Instructed a bit till 12.30. To tennis at Keyes with McGuire – what tennis and then played frantic games. Raining hard. Bridge in evening. Lost 1/- played with Fenton – shan't again.

 

DIARY Tuesday 6th August

Fairly fine all day with Showers. Down to Biggin Hill with Sgt Drew in morning. Saw Brian and Jack for lunch. Instructed in evening and got Moxom off on Camel avec beaucoup difficulté!! Did about 3 hrs. Read after Mess. Bed at 10.30.

 

DIARY Wednesday 7th August

Showery all day. Instructed in morning. Flew down to Brooklands with Nick in afternoon saw “Snipe” “Salamander” “Snail” and “Scooter”. Then came back for tea. Got off Sgt Drew Solo. Crashed undercarriage landing! His is the edge!

 

DIARY Thursday 8th August

Early flying. Got off Drew again. Instructed till 12 and then I flew Sleigh to Chingford, landed caught 1.20 train at Ponder's Enf and to home, Sleigh flew back. Saw May. Tea and Supper at house. Caught 8.37 up. Great way of getting home. Down by 10.30, v tired. British push on the Somme v.good show.

 

DIARY Friday 9th August

Instructed in morning. Not much to do. Fine day. Washed out at 6 and went to town with Withers. Dinner at Frascatis – v good dinner and then to see half of “The Lilac Domino” – quite good. Down by 10.55. V.full train. Capture of Warfusée and Caix, and Severin.
Dash
good show.

 

DIARY Saturday 10th August

Davis landed into Leaton. Instructed in Morse. Sgt Drew crashed at some spot miles off. Down to Isle of Grain with Nick. Ragged ‘em like sin! Saw “Guiffon” then to tea with Taylor – in real Croydon form. Back at 5. Got King off solo and did dual Camel with Grant. Got Morley off solo but he crashed taxiing! Ye Gods! Ives and May – both spinning hard – played billiards after dinner.

 

DIARY Sunday 11th August

To Kirk at 9. Flew in morning. To Wye in evening. Came over at 15000 and back at 1,000 in the dark. Heavily [?] on landing. Saw Diamond the Major at Wye. A very good chap.

 

DIARY Monday 12th August

Dud till 7. Early flying then. Withers down in afternoon. Flew till 12.30. Up to town and met Withers at 7.30. Saw Tenant in R. & H. To dinner and “Tails Up” with Withers and Shone. Slept at Withers flat great rag! Down by 7.30 in morning.

 

DIARY Tuesday 13th August

Flying a good deal all day. Did nothing in afternoon. Moxom landed at Tilbury. Tuck and I sought him at 9.15 but failed. Bed late v.hot.

 

DIARY Wednesday 14th August

My “buffday”

I attain the great age of 19! Flew in morning and Moxom then Nick and I landed at Halls Park and got out and pushed off home. Gally there. Came back at 8.57 and down here by 10.50. Rotten indigestion all day. King crashed after finding Moxom.

 

DIARY Thursday 15th August

Early flying at 7.15. Flew in morning. Wash out at 12.30. Up to town – saw Joy. Tea and Cinema. Trés bon! Dinner at Frascatis, indigestion bad. Down by 7.30. Dance in evening till 2 am – Miss Mansell good fun. Ives and Nick spinning hard!

 

DIARY Friday 16th August

Flew hard all day. Did 3½ hrs – 1hr 40 landings with Morley no bon! v.hot day. Bathed in afternoon – v.nice. Played bridge in evening and won 1/-. Awful indigestion at night. Slept rottenly.