Letters of James Stuart Leslie Ross, 1918-1919 - Part 3

2
That is we take new machines
& deliver them to France
or to Squadrons anywhere
in this country.
On Wednesday, a Yank
and myself were sent
to Brooklands to take
2 S.E.'s to Marquise
in France
The first stage from
Bklands to Lympne (on
the coast near Folkstone.)
at Lympne we get filled
up with petrol etc for the
trip across the channel.
It took us just 10 mins
to cross the Channel &
the flying time for the
 

3
REGENT PALACE HOTEL,
PICCADILLY CIRCUS.
LONDON, W.1
whole trip from Bklands
to Lympne France was
1 hr 40 mins.
We reached Marquise at 6.50p.m
too late to return to
England that night, as only
2 boats a day - 10 am & 
3 pm. We were brought
down to Boulogne
by motor, stayed the
night there & caught the
boat the following
morning. I expect to
 

4
go on another job
this morning - probably
to take a machine from
Hendon to somewhere in
this country. It's
not a bad job - good
experience - but very
expensive as you're on
the move all the
time & hotels in this
country are very hot.
Before leaving Ayr
I got a letter from
you dated Novr 4^th.
& the one from Dad
of Jany '17. It's a
 

4   5
REGENT PALACE HOTEL,
PICCADILLY CIRCUS,
LONDON, W.1.
shame the way they
treat the mail, but
seem to be doing
better of late.
Well, I'm afraid I
must go & eat & get out
to Hendon. Getting
some glorious weather
for flying now - light
up till after 7.30.
Much love from
Les.
 

REGENT PALACE HOTEL,
PICCADILLY CIRCUS,
LONDON, W.1.
2.4.18.
Dear Mum
Got word
this morning that I'm
for overseas.
I leave at 7.30 in
the morning with a
big Kit & more
confidence.
Am going on SE5's
which are the best
 

2
Scouting machines in
France.
I'm in rather a hurry
as I have much to
do yet, but will
write again first
opportunity.
There's a tremendous
push on the part of
the Hun now, but we
have the air supremacy
easily. Believe me the
airmen have the
best end of the
stick just at present.
 

3
REGENT PALACE HOTEL,
PICCADILLY CIRCUS,
LONDON, W.1.
A lot of pilots are
required & as there are
not sufficient vacancies
in Austln Sqdns, we
are to be temporarily
attached to R.F.C
Am enclosing a meat
card - it may amuse
you.
Will write again soon.
Much love from
Les.
 

The Great War,
Sunday, 14^th April, 1918.
Dear Mum, 
Got some Australian mail
yesterday, including one from you dated
Decr 4^th - a lot of my old stuff seems
to be turning up now.
Came across from England on the 
3^rd but, as the Sqdn has been
moving about in consequence of the
Hun offensive had some difficulty
in locating them for a couple of days
We are at a good aerodrome just
at present altho' its fairly close to
the Line for a 'drome. We have
been allotted, another place in
case this one gets shelled & we
have to beat a hasty retreat.
This is a good Squadron to be in -
 

2
of course I haven't told you before
that I had the good fortune to
strike the Australian "SE5" Sqdn.
I thought it probable that. I would
have had to go to R.F.C. This
is now Known as No 2 Sqdn a.F.C
The old Sqdn that I came from
Austla in, is now No. 3.
We have very comfortable quarters
& a good mess for active Service

conditions - have a piano & a
gramaphone. The last couple
of days have been 'dud' for
flying - misty & high winds. This afternoon
a number of pilots & observers motored
up from No 3 Sqdn including my
old chum Lee Smith. He's going
strong & is looking well. I was
very pleased indeed to see him.
 

3
We do very well in the matter
of transports on non - flying days.
Last Wednesday some of us motored
up to No 4 Sqdn (a distance of
50 miles each way). I know all the
pilots up there so had a good
time. They are the 'Camel' Sqdn
& have over 30 Hun machines
to their credit ^and 3 M G's.  This Sqdn has
almost 50, but has been out longer
A couple of days later I
motored to a town about 90
miles from here & saw, some old
chums there, who are waiting to
be sent to Squadrons.
There is some push on now on
the part of the Hun. The guns
kick up a great row every night.
I hope we have a surprise up