Letters of James Stuart Leslie Ross, 1916-1917 - Part 11

3/
in the morning. I

haven't done any flying

here yet, as I've been

inoculated & that means

no flying for 48 hrs.

They say the Squadron

is going to France

at the end of the

month but I don't

see how it's going to

do it as a lot of

the Pilots are not

nearly ready yet. Even

if we do, we'll get a

good deal of practice

there, before doing any

4/
work over the lines

This is a great place

for fags. Its generally

clear hear for here from

about lunch time till

4 or 5 - all the rest FOG.

This morn you couldn't

see a thing - not even

a house at 15 yds.

One of the boys got

caught in it tonight

in a machine. He made

a forced landing -

crashed the undercarriage -

but he's O.K. - that's the

main item.

5/

If I get any more

leave, I think I'll 

spend it quietly with

my kinsfolk round

Edinburgh. They're

very keen on having

me & I didn't see a

great deal of them when

at Turnhouse. Also,

the whole of their

respective towns

are desirous of meeting

the intrepid aviator!

You see, I haven't

been to see them

since stunting over

the place.

6/

I am orderly officer

today & soon must

sally forth to inspect

the guard.

I think I've about

told you all of

interest now.

I hope that yourself

& Dad are quite

well. Much love

to you both from

Les.

71 Squadron,

Castle Bromwich,

Birmingham.

24.11.17.
Dearest Mum,

Had a great

experience the day after writing

to you last - 13th. I went up in

a Camel when a fog came over

very suddenly & not knowing the

country round it here (my first trip in

this district) I got lost. I tootled

round till nearly dark & eventually

landed we at a farmhouse near

Stratford on Avon (Shakespeare wasn't

home I think someone said he's dead)

The people there had never

seen an aeroplane so the

whole countryside turned out &

paid homage to the "hero".

2/

The machine greatly took their

eye especially as a Camel has

2 machine guns mounted on it.

I was entertained at the Farmhouse

for the night & the following

morn to School kids were

marched up for an object

lesson. Twas dead funny.

I don't know what they're

going to do with me. I'm 

not very keen on Camels -

I hear we're going to get

Bristol Fighters for artillery

work. If we do that job 

will do me as they're

very fine machines (200 h.p. Rolls

Royce engines). I'm sure I

could do pretty well in that line

3/.

with my Wireless knowledge etc.

I think I told you months

ago that a good two seater

was my choice. I will probably

be sent to an artillery sqdn

in a few days - if I do, will

not go over -seas with this sqdn.

Lee Smith is on artillery buses.

If I do go over to men two seaters

my scout experience will be

invaluable - you see I've learned

to stunt well & had fighting

practice etc. If I can only get

into a Bristol Fighter Sqdn. I

expect to do pretty well.

I see in the paper that Stutt

has flown from Pt Cook to

Richmond in a Curtis. It's a

good distance but slow time.

(a Curtis is a learner's machine). If we

4/

could only get a good Scout out

there we'd do some records.

I got the proofs of my photos

today. They've turned and pretty

well so I'll be sending them

along soon.

I think I'll get you to

address my mail through the

Whitburn address. It's quicker

& more reliable than the military

address - 2/Lt J.L.R. c/- Mrs

Ross, Redwill House, Whitburn,

West Lothian, Scotland. They'll

send them all on to me.

Am just going for a bath & then to

bed so Goodnight. Much love

to self & Dad from

Les.

How's Bob getting along?

Castle Bromwich

W Birmingham

Mon. 10th Decr '17.
Dearest Mum,

On

Saty I he received a

lovely 5 page letter from

you dated 7th Octr. I

was delighted as its the

bestest I've had for

ages. Also got the

photo of Harry Water's

"Rabbohs" & have been

dazzling all the Pommy's

ever since. He's doing

well isn't he? I had

2

two letters from Jean yesty

too, so I'm quite happy

today.

This Sqdn will be

going to France this

week I think, but I

dont expect to be

going as I'm surplus.

I hope to get my

Bristol Fighters (2 seaters)

after all.

I have just written

to Reg Meaker giving

him your address. He

expects to leave for

Australia any time

& I'd like you to

meet him. I also

gave Jean's address.