Diary of Second Lieutenant Harold Gordon Cornell- 1916-1917- Part 4
have been wiring the B E. machine of
which I am nearly complete: the work
has been greatly hampered by the taking
out of the machines for flying, & also by
the trouble in getting material. The
officers did not appear for the buzzer
class, during last week, though the
officers have, however, today. Brook
returned from Scampton where he had
been taking charge of a similar class, so
we are starting work on a proper basis.
The officers are to be present, at different
times to the observers who are only common
air mechanics. They made their first
appearance this afternoon. I was
unable to go into town till Saturday
when I walked in with Hayles & Jackson
The weather proved so wet that we caught
the motor home & even so were all
pretty well wet. Sunday I got a late
pass but was unable to reach Lincoln
before 6-15. Visited the Congregational
church, met there one of the Mavers
& returned with him home to spend the
remainder of the evening. Supplying the
duties from H'grs is always a struggle,
today when all was arranged satisfactorily
seven men (wireless) were sent for to
proceed immediately to Birkenhead
in order (so it was said) to break up cases
for the trenches!!! Had to rearrange &
cut down all duties & had a great
rush getting the men away to time.
Friday, a pupil on his first solo flight
fell with his machine about 40 ft,
sustaining injuries from which he died
during the night. The machine for some
unknown reason was burnt after the
engine had been removed. Sunday, another
pilot, a captain took a nose dive from
about 300 ft, & was killed instantly the
engine behind crushing him. In both
cases the machines were d'Havelons. It is
a significant fact that our men are frequently
practiced in funeral marching.
The trainees for pilots were picked &
sent away yesterday to Reading. Benjamin
Crook, Scott, Miller, Patterson, & two others.
Today we replaced our single aerial by
a double but with no marked
improvement so far. As our motor
workshops have now arrived, we I
hope to get our wireless batteries charging
tomorrow or Wednesday.
Tonight the Y.M.C.A. opens with & grand
concert, Mrs Maver & Mrs Winpenny will
in all probability be out. Have bought a
loose leaf book for entering notes &
sketches but do not know when I
shall have time to wter write it up.
Sunday December 13th. The concert last
night, was pretty fair, & the Y.M.C.A
itself was proved very satisfactory, the
canteen is a vast improvement on
the military one, the trade of
which is bound to fall away now.
There were further accidents with
machines today. Capt Ranef with
Barkell, made a forced landing,
& the machine turned completely over,
on striking the ground. Neither were
injured. About midday a 45th. R.S.
pupil, in attempting to land
misjudged his height & was bearing
straight for the No 2 hangar. At the last
moment he lost his head & let go
controls. The stbd. wing struck the shed
& the machine swing round & dropped
a complete wreck. Except for shock,
the pilot was unhurt. Today has been
an ideal one for flying, and every
machine was out; I have not seen so
many in the air at one time. At tea-time
the tester from the works in Lincoln
was flying over the aerodrome on &
gave a remarkable performance of looping,
both level & sideways: the best I
have yet seen. Machine, a Sopwith biplane.
Today stored ½ ton of explosives in the wls
station for officers training class. Started
to charge 15 cells for Sterling Transmitters sets.
Fortunately, I did not have the job of
a/Flt. Sergeant today.
Wednesday Picked for guard today, but as
my leave was due for tomorrow I got off.
Put in a very busy day. Lt Marriott
decided to have a trial shoot. We
hastily equipped a machine with
batteries & transmitter, removed tuner
to field below hangars & rigged up
a receiving station with earth nets &
an insulated aerial laid on the ground.
A target was placed near the station
& artillery fire imitated by means
of Verey's lights fired to various points
in its vicinity for the observer to spot
The observer did very well, though the
signals were very faint. In the
afternoon at 3.30 started another shoot
but observer jammed his key & pilot could
not send. Came down & forgot his aerial
lost weight. Arranged for new aerial
to replace ground wire. Packed
up 4-30 & dressed. Marriott came down
for a shoot after, & got out gear himself,
however it was no go, as machine failed.
I got into town & spent evening with Mavers.
Thursday. Applied for leave from 11-30 which
was granted. Had to take charge of
sick parade, & then make final arrangements
for my absence. Had a rush to be ready in
time & at 11-30 could not find J.B. Finally
took my pass & cleared with 50 mins to
catch train. Fortunately a lorry caught me
up so I got a lift. Reached Oldham about
4.30 & found Florence waiting for me. Visited
Matoe Knoll on the road home, at his office
then on to Parkleigh for aft tea & tea. In the
evening visited Abbey Hills hospital with
Florence, & found Lily on duty. Both girls
seemed the same as ever though in
black, but Mr B. looks older. They made
me very welcome.
Friday Went to office in morning with Mr B.
met his brother & father, then on to
Mr Knott's; he accompanied me to Nuneth
to see Uncle William: who it happened
was out. Returning to the office we
rang up the Oldham Brewery for him &
he came up very shortly after. Looked
hearty & healthy & very pleased to see
me again. 82 & still keen on his game
of bowls & quite active. Returned home
from for dinner, & Florence meanwhile had
arranged for me to visit the new "Cromer"
mill. Mr - a director, called for us &
we spent a splendid afternoon. Returning
at 4, we caught train to Manchester
with Lily & Mr B; on to Midland Hotel
when we were joined by Mr & Mrs Joe Haig
& Mr Willie Haig. Ddinner at Midland-
matlers day, & 2 course only, but swell price
all the same. On to Royal Theatre to
see "Lucky Jim", which was a first.
Endured Soc. Entertainer & 1st act. Then came
out & went to Hippodrome, where we had a
fine performance, but had to rush out &
taxi to the last train. Saturday,
up early, caught train to Blackpool,
inspected town, promenade, & Tower
(Mr B. L.F. Mr K. & self). Dinner in town
then took train to St Annes & called
on Heywoods. Back x after tea ^ at B'pool station to
Nereth where we spent evening with
F's Aunt & Uncle Mr & Mrs . Rained
during evening, & throughout our walk
home. Sunday called on Mr W Haig,
Mr & Mrs Rob. Braddock, took photos,
then home for dinner. xx Then to
Mr Knoll's home, for an hour, then
back to P'bigh packed up & said goodbye
Trammed to Manchester &
Caught 6-15 train to L'pool where
E.H. met me & took me home. xx Met
Mrs H & family including recent addition.
Monday visited works again, & got a
welcome from the old hands & the
girls who were nearly all still there.
Met Fred after, & we went up to Y.M.C.A., then
on to Everton to see Mrs Elzell & Mrs
Clark (the girls were at work). Stayed
for lunch, called on Mrs Brindley, &
caught 3-45 from Lime St Lincoln at
8-30, supper at Arcadia, & car home.
Tuesday back to work. Cl. Curwen Walker
had bad smash during my absence.
Thursday visited Lincoln & spent evening
at Mavers playing cards. Marriott
left camp for a couple of days that morning.
Friday took xx Bailey & Downing from
carpenter's shop, to shift material into
station. W.O. Dennison Ellison made a great fuss
& put the men under open arrest for leaving
their job (cleaning up the shop) Orderly
room postponed till tomorrow, & expect
I shall get censured. Ellison is always
losing his head over trifles. Got ready for
a shoot at 4 p.m. today, but machine
cleared out & did not appear till
after 5-30 pm at which time we packed
up. Pay-day today but I did not hand
in my pay-book so did not draw.
Saturday Bailey & Downing had their case
dismissed this morning & (as I expected)
I got a blowing up from Ross, which
made very little impression on me, beyond
that I have decided, for the future not to bustle
myself over work or worry over delays.
There were no shoots during the day,
though we expected one.
Sunday Secured six extra men &
started the work of laying wires for
the Puff target, for observers practice, Laid
out ab 10 lines using up about 800 yds
wire. Marriott rather surprised at the news
at compulsory church parade held this
evening at 6.30 in the Y.M.C.A. The men showed
their disapproval by remaining dumb
throughout, & leaving the singing to the
officers. F. Woods is reported to be well
again & expected back any time now.
Monday Very cold weather today with
frequent snow showers. Secured a
squad of 5 & continued the job of
digging in wires between storms.
Finished all but 150 yds by 4 p.m.
Detailed Ross during morning to take
over picture target. Put in an
hours practice on P.T. after tea
with Millington.
Tuesday Finished digging in wires
Warned for ^ Squadron orderly sgt from 4-30.
Sgt F.W. appeared during day but
did not take over duties.
Wednesday Had a little trouble over
men not present at tattoo the previous
night, & who failed to report to me
later, however no action was taken
against them. Obtained a leave pass
& went into town after tea, spent
a pleasant evening at cards with
the Mawers. Sgt F.W. left me
pretty much to myself during
the day, & I had a chat with him
during the afternoon which should
go some way to establishing an
understanding between us.
Thursday F.W. expects to leave
shortly for further training & is
not therefore taking the control of the
wireless out of my hands. Experimented
today with the Puff Target with good
results. Am putting in the evening at
the wireless station for practice purposes.
Friday Marriott very pleased with Puff Target.
Day passed off quietly. Latest rumour is
that squadron leaves for France on June 8th
At work in station again tonight
Saturday No events of importance; walked
into Lincoln for bath & supper after tea.
Sunday April 1st 2 more crashes before breakfast today.
Heavy snowfall from 7-30 to 10 pm; took
things easy during morning & wrote letters.
Monday Extremely cold weather, snow
all morning, snowfight tonight
finishing up with an attack on J. B.
with the result that Jelbart was put
under arrest.
Tuesday Jelbart let off & admonished
Spent evening with Ted at Mawers in Lincoln.
Wednesday No less than six crashes
yesterday 3 while we were having tea
but no one was injured. Today had
instructions at 4 pm to make ready
puff target: shoot was not completed
till after 7pm. About six pm a new
naval Arvo came down killing
Warren the cadet observer, but Lowrie
the pilot escaped with a shaking & the loss
of a few teeth. I hear the cadet lost his
head & hung on to the joy-stick.
Thursday, another shoot today announced
for 11, came off at 2 p.m. finished at 4.
2nd shoot did not come off, as
machine landed in next field with
defective engine. Several letters from
home yesterday; first for many weeks.
N.C.O. observers put up their stripes &
left today for Brooklands for training
Friday (April 6th Good Friday) 1 Shoot this morning, second started
at 2 pm, but ceased owing to bumpy
air, 3rd at 4 oclock prevented by machine
smashing prop in landing. No less than
12 crashes in the Wing today though only
two here.
Saturday visited Lincoln for bath & supper
Sunday 8th Obtained pass till from 4pm
& visited Lincoln with Hayles, had
tea with his friends the Liversedges
on to Meth Church, then for evening
walk my comp. being Edie Chambers.
Returned for supper, then back to
camp, a very enjoyable evening, though
it turned out very well.
Thursday 12th. Snow has fallen
every day, mostly at night, & there
have been some very heavy falls.
Last night took Hayles to Whist Drive
in which Mrs Mawers & Mrs Winpenny were
interested. Hayles received gentlemen's
prize. Arrived home at 12 pm. very tired.
Heavy snow fall all evening, though it
ceased for our walk home. We have
been building a wireless hut lately
off the aerodrome under difficulties,
having to win both our material &
tools. Work going ahead but contractors
are making a fuss & require a lot of
calming down. Wireless room, changing
to a contnid flt. office, store &
buzzer room. Capt Kirbays of 45th
killed yesterday evening while flying,
nose-dive from 1000 ft. Sgts E.& A. made
themselves officious by reporting self & Thompson
& Murray for leaving bathing parade. Tuesday
night, report stopped by Sgt F.W., but we
remember the men. Water turned on at
the camps today for the first time.
Tuesday 17th April. During past week
work has proceeded quietly: Started
football last Friday & had a run
round for an hour or more. Have
been very stiff in consequence ever
since. Saturday evening met Hayles in
town said & went with Nancy Leveridge & Edie
Chambers for the evening. Visited Pictures,
Acadia for supper, then walk home,
back to camp about 12-30. Enjoyed the
evening, but am not inclined to repeat
the experience for a while. Sunday we
were out taking shoot during morning.
Most of the squadron being at church parade
Afternoon to our surprise most of the
squadron was given a half holiday.
I was tired & did not bother & had a
sleep in the station instead. Yesterday
I was not feeling especially well, but
joined the f'ball party after tea for a
run. Became puffed out very quickly, &
after 3 attempts, after each of which I
got worse, I stopped playing. Sat down
on the ground but grew worse instead
of better & after about 10 minutes I got
up to walk back to the hut. Next
thing I knew I was half way then
in the arms of five of the boys.
Kitts saw me staggering, ran up, &
caught me as I fell in a faint; I
brought him down pretty heavily &
bruised him somewhat though he
broke my fall. I felt all right
in a couple of minutes but lay down
for about an hour. Have been off
colour all today, headaches & stomach
trouble & have done nothing. This evening
about 6.30, was called out for Gnl Signal
& Panneau work.
Thursday April 19th 45th Sqdn is replacing
de Havelon's, Vickers & Farman machines, by
Avros, Sopwiths, & Bristols. Nothing
of importance last two days. Picked
up message from torpedoed vessel yesterday.
S.O.S. R.H. "Submarined off Jutland." Still
remain rather off colour, but have not
stopped work;^ up for early flying today, but
no flying took place.
Saturday April 28th Regained health
gradually during past week & am
now quite fit. On Friday evening (20th)
had a short fly (my 1st) with Captain
Raife. We were up about 15 minutes the
object being to test the panneau signals.
& the effect of shortening aerial. Was surprised
at lack of anything sensational in the
experience, & the appr fact that one
loses all impression of speed, & motion.
Have been haunting aerodrome since for
a second trip, without success so far.
Finished model of panneau for P.T. &
it works very satisfactorily. Sgt. Woods
left for training at Brooklands, last
Tuesday, for six weeks. Will probably return
as Wireless Officer. New wireless station
now practically complete, with new double
aerial across hangars, & short aerial.
On duty as Ord Sgt. till 4-30 today
Had slight trouble with Hanower, yesterday
& today. He paraded to O.C. over the matter
& was promptly squashed. He won't love me
for it however. Visited Lincoln on Thursday
evening & called on the Mawers.
Seven letters from Millie in less than
a week. Letter from Dad, gave me
first real knowledge of Millie's condition
Cabled in Tuesday to Mother, to send on
₤50 to her, for emergency. Notice of
draft of ₤25, to my credit, in Com. Bank
arrived this week. Corp Bockam left
today for special instruction with Civvy firm
2 weeks); I take over hut: Fortunately
Sgt Downing takes over Flt. Sergeant's duties.
Monday Yesterday afternoon 4pm. the
Wireless Inspector (a Major) arrived. He
is senior officer, of wireless in England,
& he took both Mr Marriott &
myself rather by surprise, although
we knew he was coming some time
in the next few days. All the
operators were away, except myself
& two on duty at the station; we
made a tour of inspection & the Mjr
expressed himself as highly pleased
with the whole turnout, promised
us some extra gear, & moreover arranged
that myself & Thompson should go for
a short course of instruction to
Brooklands. His recommendation
carries a lot of weight so we can
reckon on going pretty soon. Also I
heard from Turnwill, that my succession
as Sgt, will follow as a matter of course.
Today heard from Downing, that F P has is
having a splendid time, & has already
got his commission. Started buzzer
class today for our operators with Brook,
& it should work very smoothly.
A long fine day today & everything went
satisfactory.
Tuesday May 1st Another perfect day, the best
yet, though the sun made me feel
rather listless. Was up at 5-15 with
the early fliers, but no wireless sqd.
Couldn't get a fly with too many new
pupils: Sent the men out this
morning on out station work in the
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