Tag: Food

Thursday March 28th: usual work.  Afternoon came on to rain.  Went up on a job of work.  Engine overheated.  Ridiculed by Major.  Radiators proved to be half empty.  Went up again.  Very heavy rain.  Decided to abandon job and fly straight back to [Abbeville].  Filthy weather, filthy flip.  Found new aerodrome.  Norton shot down.  Tea at the old lady’s on the other side of the road (Who had recently lost her son in the French Army).  Unloaded kit in the rain.  Topping dinner at the Tête du Bœuf.  CO acts the schoolmaster out of school.

Tuesday March 26th Hanna on early job (deuced unfair I thought – but McPherson isn’t a lovable character).  I wouldn’t go, feeling too rocky.  Was about three hours overdue.  Wind up.  No sign of grub.  Went with Macgregor to a neighbouring village, where we discovered a villager who provided us with large omelette, mashed potatoes, bread, butter & vin blanc all ad lib.  Oh happy days!  Returned to find Hanna back.  His observer (new to the Squadron) had been wounded, and was then comfortably in hospital.  Looks like the hand of fate.  Third new observer to get a blighty.  Put up tents for ourselves all the afternoon.  Everyone went by lorry that evening and had a glorious feed at the ———- in A——–.  Sang all he way back in the lorry.

Tuesday, March 19th  Train to Amiens about 11 AM.  Arrived about 6.  Alighted.  M. Police refused to let us out.  Waited until the train running in connection with ours had gone.  M. Police still refused; found another train which would land us in Péronne at 11 PM, after tortuous winding & sundry changes.  Accidentally lost this train.  Was rude to M.P.  Told R.J.O we should probably find a squadron tender waiting.  Next train 6 AM.  Left station.  Found no tender.  Booked room at the Belfort.  Went to the Godbert and devoured a mighty dinner.  Met Martin Sinclair and Rees (going on leave).  Decided to stop.

March 18th Monday;  Got a Pullman seat on the 7.35 and a second breakfast (a source of very comfortable reflection in these days.)  Had several hours to wait at Folkestone.  Sent a line home and bought a Stylo.  The good mayor of Folkestone appeared to have issued an edict that no officers proceeding overseas should be served with intoxicants.  Presumptious ass!  Obtained drinks by perjury.  Smooth crossing.  Put up at Hotel de Paris.  Boulogne.  Strolled along the front with Norton.  All pictures full up.  Excellent dinner at Officers Club.