Letters of James Stuart Leslie Ross, 1918-1919 - Part 2

5
Have been having a good
time here - nothing to
do but walk round the
town etc. Ayr is a
decent little town with
a couple of theatres & the
usual number of Picture
Shows. It is the birthplace
of Robert Burns & his
house is one of the
Sights.
Dinner's ready now so
Goodnight
much love to Dad & Self
from
Les.

No 6 Squadron
Aus ROYAL FLYING CORPS,
MARKET DRAYTON.
Salop.
9^th. Feby, 1918.
Dearest Mum,
Back at the
old address! I came down
from Ayr two nights ago having
completed the Fighting Course there.
I ran second up there too (like
Turnberry) - one chap ^in the RFC beat me by
3 marks. So I'm feeling pretty
confident. I'm about ready 
for France now but don't know
when I'll be going across.
There's a lot of luck in it-
I may be in England for
a month yet. I don't mind
going over now as I think,

2
in an SE5, I can give a
Fritz a good go for it. They're
fine machines & I have every
confidence in them, which is
the main thing. I'm enclosing a
cutting from "The Aeroplane" with
a photo of one (without the guns).
Another difference is that 2 bladed
propellers are now usually used
Am also enclosing a photo of
some "Camels" on the Italian front
I flew them at Castle Bromwich,
but dont want to go overseas
on them as I haven't a very
high opinion of them or the
work they're doing.
The Aus. Flying Corps will eventually 

3
have practically all S.E. Squadrons
so if I can get some experience
on them in France in the next
few months, they're should be
some promotion sticking out.
at present only about 12 Australians
are flying them over there.
I dont know what's happening
my Australian mail - haven't
had any for ages with exception
of a parcel from Mrs Frank
received yesterday.
The sugar question is getting
more serious (or funnier) than
ever lately. On Monday last
they cut out the ration in
hotels, restaurants etc. & you
have to carry your own
 

4
sugar or go without unless you're
staying in the Hotel over 3 days.
I hope you managed to operate
on the Savings Bank account
thro' that letter I wrote.
Don't forget to take anything
of the 5/- that you require.
It's been raining hard ever
since I returned from Ayr
but compared with last year,
this is a very tame winter.
of course I suppose it looks
better to me being well fed,
clothed etc, but nevertheless we're
not having nearly as much snow.
I think that's about all this
time. Much love from
Les.
 

Castle Bromwich,
Saturday Morning,
2^nd March '18.
Dear Mum,
Just a line before
the battle! It's hardly as bad
as that but I'm on the move
again. Have finished my
time on SE5's here (7 hours)
& have just received word to
proceed to the Scout Pool
at Ayr. This will be my last
move in this country I
expect as a Pool is a kind
of Depot where full blown
pilots await posting Overseas.
Am leaving here in about
½ hour & will go thro'
London spending the week End
 

2
there so it's not a bad life.
The Bank has just written me
that my ₤20 has arrived so
I'll wait in London till
Monday morning to collect
same & purchase my overseas
stuff. It's just come in the
nick of time. Thanks awfully
for sending it & dont forget
to take anything you like out
of my allotment. I'm sorry
I had to send for it but
it couldn't be helped.
I will try & get a couple
of days leave from the Pool
to visit Linlithgow & Whitburn
It's hard to say how long I'll
linger on up there - it all
depends on the demand for
Pilots in France. I expect
will get across when the
 

3
big offensive comes off.
I was in town last week for
a couple of days & to my
unbounded delight met Smithy (Lee)
It's the first time we've met
since oxford. He went overseas
on RE8's last Saturday. He
is going to our old Sqdn (69)
He will be driving a 2 Seater
on Artillery work
Will probably send you a
cable when I'm leaving so expect
you'll know I've gone across
before this letter arrives.
However I'm in good condition
& confident that I can keep
my end up so don't feel
anxious.
 

4
Recd a parcel yesty from the
Moruya War Chest - a very nice
parcel too. Enclosed was a letter
from a little girl named Walsh
to a Moruya Soldier so I
must write & thank her.
Haven't had a letter from
home for about 3 months.
The Anstln Base P.O. is
the limit & I certainly have
been moving about.
Must get along now.
Much love from
Les.
 

29. 3. 18
Good Friday.
Dear Mum,
Just a few
hurried lines - have been
very busy the last
few days.
On Mondry evening I
left Ayr on 1½ hrs
notice with some Austlns
& Americans. We thought
it was for France
but for the time being
we are Ferry Pilots.