Letters of James Stuart Leslie Ross, 1916-1917 - Part 12

3  
Pleased to hear that Mac's doing o.k.                        
Things oughtn't to be too bad
out in Palestine. Fancy Phil
Knight being wounded. Any
word of Harry Duncan?
Oh! about the cash. I want
you and Dad to keep the 5/-
allotment if you need it at all as
I don't expect to be cabling again.
You see I get 13/- a day here -
5/- alloted & 3/- deferred making the
guinea a day. 13/- sounds a good
bit but really I've nothing to
spare. It costs about 6/- a day
for messing alone and then
there's an awful lot of gear
to buy. You've got to be 
well dressed and went when out
have to patronize the best
places. It's not like being in
the ranks - it's compulsory to
travel first class etc.
officers get rooked right and
left in shops too. They think

4
we're millionaires. For
instance a tunic (officer's)
costs 5 guineas or over
and a very ordinary
pair of boots about 50/-.
They There is a very
funny Canadian in
my room named Irving
who asserts "There's a 
V in my name but its
not Vanderbilt." so I
be say my name 
starts RO but its
not Rockefeller.
Nevertheless we knock

out a very good time
 

5
which is the main
thing these days.
Personally, I've never felt
better in my life and
am absolutely revelling
in the whole thing.
It certainly is a great
experience.
You made me smile
when you mentioned the
number of motors running
about out there. Joy
riding in motors for
private people is now
a thing of the past
here now owing to
the petrol restrictions.
The number of taxis
 

6
is limited. A few priviliged people
get a petrol license but the quantity
us ve they can procure is very
limited indeed. A lot of motor
buses etc are now run on coal
gas. They carry it in great canvas
bags on top & look more like a
Zepp than a motor.
We expect to vote on the Ref. soon.
I am voting "Yes". I expect it'll
be carried this time, but of course
I don't know much about the situation
in Austla. I am glad that it
wont affect Bob. I think one's
enough when there's only two in
the family after all its a very
modified form of Conscrip
Am enclosing a note to ComBk.
It may enable you to draw & it
may not. If it does, don't hesitate
to "commandeer" the balance. I'd like
you to. First time I'm in London
I'll go round to the Bk &
try to get a proper form.
 

7
The only stumbling
block is that I don't
remember the number
of the account.
Please fill it in on
the enclosed letter
You had better sign
it too & get a witness.
I'm a bit dubious
but it may do it.
I'm orderly officer
today & must now go
& inspect the guard
so Goodnight to you both
Hope Dad's better now.
Much love to you both from
Les.
 

43^rd Sqdn,
ROYAL FLYING CORPS,
MARKET DRAYTON.
Shropshire,
22 . 12 . 17.
Dearest Mum,
Moved again!
Have been over here 9 or 10
days. ago. I thought I would
be sent to Two Seaters from
Castle Brom' but they sent
me over here to fly D H5's
(De Haviland No 5), which are single
Seater Scouts. This is a
very energetic squadron and I've
done quite a lot of flying
since being here. I first
did a while on Sopwith
Bombers & Sopwith 2 seaters
preparatory to going on D H's.
I have finished my time (DH's)
 

2
on them (DH's) - 5 hours & 15 landings
& am now filling in time on
Sops again. up to the present
I've flown 7 different types -
Maurice Farmans, Avros, Sop. Bombers
2 Seaters , Pups, Camels & DH5's. Have
done about 44 hours Solo all
altogether.  I may go to France
soon now to an Austln Sqdn
who which went across with DH5's but
are now getting SE5s These
SEs are good machines with a
200 H.P. Stationary engine - Single
Seaters & do Scouting work above
12000 feet.
Mrs Drake (Lee's aunt) has
asked me to Liverpool for Xmas
 

3
but will not be able to go as
we can't get any leave. Military
people are also prohibited from
travelling on trains on leave
during the holidays (this also
applies to week ends).
This is a very out of the way
place but we will get well fed
if nothing else for Xmas.
The papers today state that
the Referendum is likely
be defeated in Australia. I was
rather surprised- I thought
they'd get it this time.
Have some a fair number
of Australians training in this
Sqdn at present. One of the
McMurtries from McMurtries
Boot Factories is here & is a
very decent chap too.
 

4
Herb is at Shawbury which is
only a few minutes flight from
here. I must borrow an avro
one of these days & go over &
give him a joy-ride.
Its now dinner time & I really
can't think of much news
so must close.
Much love to self & Dad
from
Les.