Well Cheerio folks. Bestest love from The Bunsoy.
DIARY Wednesday 9th January
Snow very thick. On Patrol (Reserve) from 10.30-12. Clouds fairly low. Very few Huns. A lot of S.E.5’s. Strong west wind. Fired at one Albatross which appeared and at once hove into a cloud.
To tea with No 1, snowing again. Down the town with Burbeck and Kelsey. Major out for Mess. Binge after.
65 Squadron.
10th January 1918
Thanks for your letters also for Gin’s.
I have discovered that it is possible to obtain a few days leave outside your 14 days time home leave so I think I will run down to Rouen for a couple of days to see May.
This morning all the snow has gone awayee! It is beastly slushy & wet but quite warm. However this is rather spoilt by the fact that there is a 60 m.p.h. West wind blowing at 6000 [ft] which is na poo as it blows you over. I was up on patrol this morning, there were lots of clouds about with gaps in them, we got above them & loafed about – just about over the trenches but we did not go over. As usual never a Hun machine in the sky although the air was black with our buses, scouts & two-seaters. The ground Hun must be a bit sick of his Flying Corps but possibly he will improve in the Spring – in fact I have no possible doubt he will. I guess he is fostering his forces & we will probably be deluged with Albatrii then!! Anyway he hasn’t a look in on this Front at present.
I didn’t think much of Lloyd George’s speech; it looked very like climbing down. Personally I have every desire to crush Germany & all its works. If we don’t all this will have been for nothing!
I am going up on another patrol from 2.30 to 3.30. I had tea with No 1 yesterday & I think I am going to dinner with No 70 tonight.
Well no time for more folks.
Bestest love Bunsoy.
DIARY Thursday 10th January
Complete thaw set in. Everything wet and slushy. On patrol 10.30. Cloudy with hot air gaps. In a group of 9 split up into 3’s. Strong west wind. No E.A. seen at all. Patrol again from 2.30. Fairly clear. No E.A. except one S.E. of Comines. Got archied. My engine is a collection of old iron!
Quite warm. Symons shot down Albatross at Armentières.
65 Squadron
11th January 1918
Thanks for your letter of today.
Great news! You will I guess be as delighted as I am to hear that I am coming home on leave this next Tuesday. What ho! That is to say Tuesday the 15th. I ought to get home on Tuesday night if all’s well! As to my program of leave – well I would like to spend at least 4 days in Town as I have lots of people to see & some things to do also. I vote we all stay in Town for 4 days say from Wednesday till Saturday night or from Monday 21st till Friday, we can get rooms in a Hotel or stay with some relations or something. I shall wear mufti nearly all my leave I think – try to get my reefer coat from Hertford!
I was up on patrol at 8. a.m. this morning but it was very “dud” with low clouds & we saw nothing at all. No more patrols today!
Bestest love from
The Bunsoy.
DIARY Friday 11th January
Up on show at 8 a.m. Late getting off owing to a misunderstanding with Cocks’ orders. Very thick – clouds at 3000 – impossible. Waste of good time and petrol! Jack well strafed by C.O. for being late. C.O. says we are not keen. I apologised to him for others but he did not take it very nicely. Over to No 1 for lecture but washed out.
To Cinema in camp after dinner. R.A.M.C. Col: in for dinner. Quite warm night. Bed early pretty tired.
65 Squadron.
12th January 1918
Just a wee line today. I am not on patrol today though I went up & down the Army Front seeing if I could see an odd Hun, but no luck! I am going down to see Mc Elroy in No 40 at once so will knock off.
Some Letter!
Bestest love from Bunsoy
DIARY Saturday 12th January
Dud for flying all day. We not on patrol at all. No patrols. Did a 55 mins: show on my own. Cloud at 3000 from Armentières to Houthulst and back. Shot up Hollebeke Chateau no E.A. seen at all. Down to Bruay with Eaton after lunch. Saw Mc Elroy then went to No 43. Saw Major Miles.
Back at 3.30. Played bridge and won 4f.50c! Bon, eh! Headachy all day. Bed early. Bombing show tomorrow – whotto!
DIARY Sunday 13th January
Orderly Office On patrol at 11.30. Clouds at 3000 with gaps. A few two-seaters high up – 4 Albatri sat on our tails but did not attack. Whole Squadron bombing dump at Lédignan [Ledegem] in afternoon. Very thick. Dropped one bomb from 8000 ft and then went home hell for split! Great show.
C.O. out for dinner. Bed early, headachy. Letter from Nickie Rowsell: Trés bon!
DIARY Monday 14th January
Not down for patrols. Weather fairly dud, did nothing in morning. Practised bomb dropping on aerodrome in afternoon. Got within 8 yds of the target. Fought R.E. 8 afternoon, got it slipped across me!
To tea at No 53 and then to show – the Panto in the town Bon. Played Auction after dinner – lost 7 francs! Gilmour got blotto – nearly fought him. Leave tomorrow What HO!!
DIARY Tuesday 15th January – First day of leave
Up at 7am. Tender to Arques. Train at 9.30 for Boulogne. Arrived at 1.30. Got on boat with great difficulty A.M.C.O. at Boulogne wants flogging to death! Pretty rough Crossing over but was not ill. Arrived Folkestone 5.30, Pulman up to town. To Grosvenor Hotel with another Sapper officer. To see ‘Arlette’ – very bon. No dinner. Supper in Hotel.
Bed bon, everything bon. Cheerie oh!
Oh Samuel! Oh Samuel! Beware the awful Cam-u-el!
DIARY Wednesday 16th January – Second day of leave
Down to Weymouth by the 9.30. Arrived 2.15. Saw Dad and Mum,
Elsie, Gin, Gal, Leon, and the 3 kids. Priceless to be at home.
Bed early, raining hard all day.
DIARY Thursday 17th January – Third day of leave
Brekker in bed! Bon! Up at 11.30 – down town and bought some things. Read and drew in the afternoon. To dance at Dr Lawrie’s in evening, 8.30 till 1.45. Quite bon show. My dancing dud full of Australians. One V.C. there. Girls not very pretty – except Miss Desborough! Bon for troops. Coming out with me on Friday.
DIARY Friday 18th January – Fourth day of leave
Elsie and I to Portland with Robert to see Leon’s ship. Back for lunch. Leon and I to the Jubilee Hall in evening. Very good show.
DIARY Saturday 19th January – Fifth day of leave
Down town with Dad in morning. To see “Bella Donna” at Pavillion in afternoon with Dad, Leon, Elsie and Gin – rather a tragedy. Eily arrived in evening Dad and Mum and I to meet her. Round to Gally’s, Eily not very fit.
DIARY Sunday 20th January – Sixth day of leave
To early H.C. with Dad and Mum. To church with Dad, Mum and Gin in morning. Stormy day. To tea with Gally and Leon in afternoon. Did not go to Church in evening. Gin and Eily talking shop the whole time! Bed soon after prayers.
DIARY Monday 21stJanuary – Seventh day of leave
Down town in morning with Dad. To the Cinema in afternoon with Dad. Quite a good show, to “Jubilee Hall” in evening with Gin. Splendid conjuring show. House absolutely packed. Bed early. Town tomorrow.
DIARY Tuesday 22ndJanuary – Eighth day of leave
Up to town by the 9-3 train with Gin. Met by May and Uncle Jack. May felt faint but recovered. Lunch at Waterloo. To Cox’s find I have £139 odd! Bon eh! Drew £25. No room at R.P. Left bag there. To see “General Post” with Gin. Très bon. Got room at Charing Cross Hotel. Changed for dinner. Met Nicky and May at R.P. all had dinner at Frascatis. Then Nicky and I to see “Cheep”. Good. Saw Nicky to Waterloo: in taxi – very good! Met “Arthur”. Nicky is simply sweet. Bon Eh!
DIARY Wednesday 23rd January – Ninth day of leave
To Gramophone Co. in morning. Got some records. Met Joy at the Troc; at 12.30, had Champagne lunch. To see “Aladdin” at Drury Lane in afternoon. Quite good. Then went for a j
oy ride in taxi! Exceedingly good! Had a great time in that taxi! Tea at ‘Cottage Tea Rooms’. Saw Joy off at Charing Cross then met Gin and May at Frascati’s and had a great dinner. To see “The 13th Chair” in evening – Priceless most luridly thrilling.
DIARY Thursday 24th January – Tenth day of leave
To see Bob with Gin in morning then to Uncle Harry’s. Then to see Pitt at 82, Eaton Square. Then got some Gramophone records. Lunch at Callards. Met May at Waterloo. Down to Weymouth by the 2.00 Train. Very full but a fairly comfy journey down. The whole family in to dinner and Leon and Robert; priceless re-union. Sang songs after – indigestion. Had great trip in town but very bon to be home again! Spent about £17.
DIARY Friday 25th January – Eleventh day of leave
To see Miss Desborough in morning with May. Elsie left. Had haircut, shave and shampoo. To Cinema with Irene in afternoon and tea at the Troc: very interesting too! Tried hard to find an excuse to tell her off but failed! Quite a bon girl.
To see “Ching Ling Soo” with whole family at 6 p.m. Very bon show. Read and wrote letters after dinner. Gally in to dine. Raining.
DIARY Saturday 26th January
Down town with Dad and Mum in morning. Gally and Leon in for tea and dinner. Dad read “Literary Lapses” after dinner – very bon! Bed early.
DIARY Sunday 27th January
To early H.C. in morning. To Church with family at 11. To call on Mrs Lawrie at 3.30 but she was out. Tea with the Wilkinsons after that, pretty appalling! Not to Church in evening. Read and had prayers.
DIARY Monday 28th January
To dentist in morning. Two teeth need stopping. Bought some things in town. Dad with headache all day. To the Jubilee Hall in evening with family except Dad, very good show.
Dad read “Literary Lapses” in evening. Bed early. Going back tomorrow ****!
DIARY Tuesday 29th January
Up to town with May by the 9-3. Met at Waterloo by Nickie, Arthur, King, Elsie and Elspeth. Lunch at Restaurant. King simply rich! Nickie and I to see “Zig Zag” – poor show but v.bon! Tea at Troc. Taxied to Waterloo, kissed her in taxi, she was perfectly sweet.
Fixed up room at Grosvenor. Met May at Frascatis at 7.20 see ‘Dear Brutus’ Held Nickie’s hand all the time. Responsive too! Air raid on and so walked back to the Grosvenor! Sat there till 12.30. No bombs near – Bed then. Kissed Nickie good night – she stayed in May’s room. May is a perfect brick. I do love Nickie as a very sweet friend.
The Train 8.45 a.m.
En route to Folkestone
30th January 1918
Cheerio Troops!
Behold me at this grisly hour in the train en route for Folkestone – et après ça – la deluge!
I had a most topping leave dear folks & enjoyed every minute of it. Three months of “dud” weather & -- me voici encore.
The Bunsoy. v.cheerio!
DIARY Wednesday 30th January – Last day of leave
Up at 6.15. Brekker with May & Nickie. They saw me off by the 7.50. I kissed May and then Nickie who is the last person I kissed before I went out. Gave me a photo, baisers and mascot. Arrived at Folkestone 11.20. Boat at 1.45. Strolled around with Empson. Met Miss Lambart lunch at Grand – feeling fearfully fed up. Smooth crossing, met Major Duffin [sic] on boat. Got lift in his car to Bois-d’Haine. Rang up 65 and spent night in Y.M.C.A. at Omer.
65 Squadron
31st January 1918
Just a wee line to let you know I am quite fit & back at the Squadron. I had a lovely smooth crossing & met Major Duffus O.C. 25 on the boat. He gave me a lift in his car to his Squadron; I then went down to the base & stayed the night in the Y.M.C.A. hut there. At 10.30 the Squadron car came for me & brought me up here so I managed to avoid the “leave” train after all. The Squadron has done jolly well since I have been away – having got 7 Huns. They got 5 the day before yesterday. There is a thick fog here today – rotten! (liar)!!
Well dearest folks no more as I gave you all my news yesterday.
DIARY Thursday 31st January
Got C.O.s car at Omer at 10.30. Arrived 65 at 12.30, foggy. Patrol out but got lost. Shanks & Kennedy [2nd Lieutenant J.G. Kennedy] crashed. O.K.
Read in afternoon and played new records. Down town with Jack in evening. Bed at 10 – awfully cold. Room in an awful state. 65 got 7 Huns while I was away. Baker, [2nd Lieutenant E.J. Baker, G.L.] and Wylie [2nd Lieutenant A.E. Wylie, G.L.] missing. Reeves in No 1 killed. Dyer killed. Cowan [2nd Lieutenant R.H. Cowan] and Cameron [2nd Lieutenant J.D. Cameron] prisoners. Rotten to be back!
65 Squadron
1st February 1918
No news of any interest, the fog lasted all yesterday. A patrol had gone up at 8 & got caught in it & they all landed all over France – several crashed & two are in hospital slightly injured but all right. Everybody here is very fit, Cox & Eaton & the C.O. are on leave & Withington is acting C.O.
I was down for an O.P. today from 12.15 to 1.30 but there has been thick fog all day & no flying. Rotten weather isn’t it? I am fed up – (l--r!!!) The C.O. comes back tomorrow or next day. I believe the Hun is pretty active in the air on this front & pretty stout too so I ought to have some fun shortly! Old Bill shot down a Hun in flames the other day & 6 other Huns were done in. We got 5 one day & lost nobody ourselves. Dyer has been reported as killed, isn’t it awfully rotten? Cowan & Cameron who were missing on the day of our big tea party are prisoners. Capt. Reeves in No 1, a topping fellow, killed himself the other day in a Nieuport; he was doing violent stunts & his wings folded back. No more news.
DIARY Friday 1st February
Foggy all day. Down for patrol but no bon. Read in Mess all day. Wrote letters. Beastly cold.
2nd February 1918
I am afraid this will miss the post as I am just in from patrol. I was up on O.P. from 12.15 to 1.30 but the Huns were very quick & I only saw a formation of 6 Albatrii well his side of the Lines. They didn’t worry us – Gilmour came home with a ‘dud’ engine & so I led the other fellows, we didn’t get much “Archie”.
The fog has pretty well cleared off now & it is a lovely day & quite warm, it was lovely flying. I went up for a joy ride to get my hand in as I felt a bit strange at first, so I did a few ‘loops’ & ‘rolls’ to get used to it. Everybody has been flying my poor ‘bus’ while I have been away but nobody likes it as it is very tail heavy. Bon eugh! Possibly that will keep them from flying it! I did nothing yesterday but read smoked & played the gramophone. The new mattress on my bed is a huge success & I was beautifully warm last night.
Well you poor dears will be by this time robbed of all your family again – still I guess I will be home again in April if all’s well – not so long anyhow.
Cheerio – that’s all my news for today.
DIARY Saturday 2nd February
Off Pat: in morning. I led after Jack had fallen out. Res: Pat: in afternoon. Got fed up with Ypres and so went up to the Coast at Nieuport!
Read in evening.
65 Squadron
3rd February 1918
Another thriller! Today 12 of us went out on O.P. we went well over the Lines & found about 13 or 14 Huns below us. These we followed & they all dived away from us as hard as they could. Then a lot of our fellows fell out with dud engines, leaving six of us, we then went over the Lines again nearly to the ---- Road . Then we saw some Albatrii below us & five above & some more knocking about. Jack & I dived on the ones below, the others stayed up above. I saw Jack get on the tail of an Albatross, the Hun then made for me nose on firing, so I pressed my thumb pieces & fired straight into him. His nose dropped & he fell over sideways & started to go down in a spin slowly at first & then faster & faster. I didn’t see him crash but I have claimed him as “out of control”. Jack & another fellow confirmed this. I think I slew him all right.
Then I turned away & suddenly heard pop-pop-pop-crack-crack very close behind me. I pulled my old bus into a right hand climbing turn when suddenly – - smack!! – something hit my elbow! Ha!
thought I – I’m wounded! Exit me! So I changed my climbing turn into an “Immelman” & went down in a nearly vertical dive engine full out! Gee! I was going some! Presently I flattened out a bit & looking round saw that confounded Hun still on my tail firing like -----! They all went above me though. Then I saw a Camel dive on the Hun & he left off from following me! That was Jack who had seen me go down pursued by the Hun & had followed him; he shot him down “out of control” & pretty well saved my skin.
I came home & found that a bullet had passed right through the elbow of my Sidcot Suit without cutting my tunic, a near thing – what! I also found that another bullet had cut through a longeron in my fuselage & broken a spar in my left bottom plane & another had missed my petrol tank by about 2 inches. Why my old bus didn’t fall to bits in that dive I don’t know! The ‘Everlasting Arms’ again I guess. The total of that scrap was 4 Huns – Jack got two, one smoking & one out of control. Bill got one & I got the other. Bill had an end-on shot & got 5 bullets in his engine, he managed to crawl home with his engine firing on about 4 cylinders. We lost nobody – thank God. So once again only 3 of us did any scrapping against pretty good odds & 2 of the 3 were in “C” Flight – Vive “C” Flight! Bon enough! Awfully glad I have got another Hun.
Diary And Letters Of A World War I Fighter Pilot, The Page 15