Diary of Second Lieutenant Harold Gordon Cornell- 1916-1917- Part 6

we could expect the best of training

there. The only objection is the isolation

from any towns. Wednesday morning

we reported to M.O., Wireless Officer &

Flight Gunnery Officer, & started class

work. The afternoon from 12-30 to 5 was

our own & I walked into the village

of N'avon, through the rain, which

has practically washed out flying for

the last fortnight. A couple of men

pupil & instructor, had been killed

the day before our arrival. We were

billeted in very comfortable quarters,

mostly with sharing rooms with other

officers as accommodation was limited.

The food in the mess was excellent,

but the method of serving it quaint.

A Each man had to wait on himself

getting his food between courses

from the side table when attendants

served it out.

Wednesday evening word came through

that all 15 of us were to leave N'avon

next morning & report to No 29 (Aust)

squadron, Shawbury. We left at 8-30

motoring to Pewsey, & proceeding to

Paddington. During the interval there

visited Horseferry Rd, for pay, & there

met Bert Faulkner, formerly of Q'town.

I should never have recognised him

if he had not picked me out. Arranged 

to meet him outside the W'ar Chest

Club, but he did not turn up &

I had to hurry off to catch my train.

Left Paddington 2 p.m. arriving Shrewsbury

about 6 & were taken by tender 7 miles

to Shawbury. We found the Shawbury

station in pretty much the same state as

Carlton was in February; there are 3

squadrons 2 R.F.C. 10^th & 67^th, & one

Aust. 29^th. forming 27^th Wing. Each

has 1 hangar complete & one under

construction. 29^th is also using 2 Bassaneau

hangars. I was allotted with

six others to "A" Flight under Capt Foster.

Four others of our of the Queen's College

squadron had already arrived from

Castle Bromwich & I understand 20

others are coming this week. I found

several acquaintances, in Cpl Viviash,

Harding (W.Op. & formerly A/Sgt at Farnbro) &

 Prurs. The C.O. is Major Pehe, xx

formerly at Kul in Mesopotamia. Captain

Lang who was in Laverton when we left

& brought over No 71 Sqdn, is F.C. of B. Flt.

Last night we were allotted to rooms

already occupied by R.F.C. pupils much

to their annoyance, however most of them

have now been sent away. We were

given 2 blankets & had to sleep on the 

floor no beds, or mattresses, being available.

However I slept very well. All the

buildings here are in a rough state

& practically unfurnished. The mess itself

has not a particle of paint or decorations.

The food is fair though a long

way from the standard of Netheravon.

The machines in 29^th are all M.F.

shorthorns. of which there are about 

15 in the squadron. A flight has 3

serviceable & two instructors, so I

don't think we shall finish up here

very soon. I anticipate quite 2 months.

but hope I am wrong. The days

is filled in thus:- Report at hangars

9 8-55 a.m. Gunnery 9 -10, Wireless 10 -10.30.

Work in hangars 10 - 30 to 11 -3 0. 11 - 30 to 12

Exercise, either run or hockey. Gunnery

2 - 3, Wireless 3 - 3.30, Hangars 3 - 30 - 4.

Flying (or waiting for it) 5-30 to 7 or later.

Supper 7-15 after which more flying.

Early flying in morning if required.

Every 2nd Sunday is a clear day, no

flying. Tonight had 10 minutes in the 

air with Lt. Badgery; held the controls

but did not attempt to move the

machine. Air very steady, & flight

enjoyable. Today my 26th Birthday.

Wed. Aug 15^th Bad weather has interfered

greatly with flying during last few days.

Had 20 minutes with Captain Foster

on Sunday evening but was not

allowed to take control. Early flying

Monday morning & today but I was not

called out. On Sat. last 20 of our

cadets arrived from Northolt, Adams,

Miller, Sheppard & Currie being among

the party. Apparently they were having

a great time there, so do not

appreciate the change. Adams now

shares my rooms, which I have made

slightly more comfortable by making

a table & putting up a shelf. We also

now have 3 blankets, with bedboards

& pallaisse. Log books were sent in

this morning nearly all incorrectly

entered up; most of "A" flight has

to do drill tonight in consequence.

I am lucky. A memo was

sent to each of us last night

from the Adjutant, requesting each

cadet to pay £5 in to the P.M.C.

There was nearly a mutiny, but

I think everyone has now decided

to ignore the letter, which by the

way carries no signature.

We all had a lecture from the

Major on Monday, because some were

seen chatting with N.C.O's & men.

We have been ordered not to speak

to them at all. Varied the

monotony a little this morning by

machine gun practice on the range.

Tuesday. Aug 21. The heads decided

not to press for their £5, but have

arranged instead to collect our

messing allowances and credit us with

the amount. Bills came in from

Netheravon for our messing expenses

there, amounting to 8/7; these we

paid. Colonel Reynolds with

his Adj. Capt. Brinsmead visited

the squadron on Sat. & inspected

the cadets. Made a short speech again

trying to impress on us the necessity

for not mixing with or talking to N.C.O's

& men. Had a 15 minutes flight

on Thursday Wed. evening with Foster, dual

for about ½ the time. Thursday

night was rather windy, & Lang

intended to wash out; the Major

however came along tried the air

& insisted that flying should proceed.

The F.C's were very much put out over

it. Walked into Shawbury, Thursday

& Friday evenings, getting very wet

on the latter occasion. Decided

suddenly on Sat morning to apply

for leave, & was successful in

getting from 2 pm. Sat to 12 p.m. Monday.

Wired Oldham & arrived there

about 8 p.m. after a deadly slow

journey. Spent a pleasant quiet

week-end. The three girls were at

Parkleigh this time. Had not seen

Nellie for 2 years. Reached Hadnell at

10 p.m. last night & took the short cut

through fields. However we missed the

track & got a few miles off our course.

Landed back in camp just on midnight.

Sunday Aug 26^th. Had a flight of ½ an

hour on Tuesday night with Badgery, it

was my first real dual flight and I

was some time getting accustomed to the

controls, however was not doing too badly

at the finish. We made three landings

in all in which I had quite a

respectable share. Have not been up since

& there has been no flying at all except

about ½ an hour this evening, owing

to the wet & windy weather. Have

had several walks through the villages

round the aerodrome with Adams, &

yesterday we took the afternoon & went

into Shrewsbury, where we spent quite

a good time, looking round.

The 69^th Squadron left for France during

the week, most of headquarters, on the 

Saturday, transport Monday (including Ted

Harding), the machines flew across Tuesday

(Ted in one of them) & the remainder of 

the squadron about Thursday.

Have taken up running during the

exercise parade - expect to get into

good form soon - ran about 1½ miles

today, the longest distance for many 

years, The adjutant left us

yesterday & we are not sorry, Lt. Hall

is carrying on for the present.

Monday 27^th Beautifully fine morning &

several flights were made, three of our cadets

doing their first solo flights. I was not up.

The day evening has turned out very wet

& cold. Three new cadets arrived from Oxford

tonight.

Thursday Sept 6^th. Adams & I

walked to Wellington last Sunday

covering 23 miles for the day, quite

a record for us in England. Had a very

pleasant day, though there was nothing

of interest in the little town.

Monday I had my first flight for

a fortnight, 30 mins, managing fairly well

expect for landings. Then Wednesday

had 15 minutes before breakfast. In the

evening after dinner, the major decided to

take me up & we had 30 minutes. His

system is altogether different to Badgery's

as he leaves the controls entirely alone &

leaves the pupil to get out of his own

difficulties. I very quickly got confidence

with him. We did five landings but

I did not make a success of them landing

generally too fast, but I found I could

easily control the bus in the air. There

was no flying this morning but this

afternoon the major appeared & took 

me up. After four landings in which I

managed much better, he got out & told

me to make a circuit on my own.

Rather to my own surprise I was not in

the least nervous, in fact felt more

[[confident?]] [[than?] [[with?]] [[all?]] [[my?]] [[but]]

Made a circuit & landed just

within the aerodrome. However I

flattened out a shade too much with

the result that the bus pancaked 

slightly. The shock was only slight,

but it broke the L.H. undercarriage skid

& a pair of bracing wires. However the major

who was waiting, expressed himself as

satisfied with me.

There have been several crashes during

the last week. Courtney (B F H.) had the first

colliding with a tree outside the aerodrome.

He was not hurt. On Monday, Martin  (B F H) came

to grief ^in the drome while attempting to land; the bus

was wrecked & he sustained concussion &

internal injuries. The same day Sheppard

brought down a latrine on the aerodrome,

through being unable to pull up his machine

while taxying after landing.

Yesterday Pengilley ^(C F H) on his 1st solo, under

estimated his landing, struck a tree

^in a field behind the mens huts, & had a frightful

smash. He had a miraculous escape getting

off with bruises & a scratched hand, but

the bus had not a whole span in it.

A batch of about 8 cadets having finished

their solo & left for Tess Hill on Monday.

Several others mostly from "C" flight expect

to leave tomorrow.

The Braddocks are at Colwyn Bay & have

asked me to come down if possible. I

will apply for leave after completing my

solo time.

Friday Sept 7^th. Quite an exciting day.

Had a run before breakfast with Adams

about 2 miles. Badgery sent for me at

8 a.m. for flying, but the Major sent me

back for flyin breakfast. Came back

about 8 . 30 & went up soon after

in a strange bus. The wind changed

round just before I took off

without my noticing if. Probably owing

to a high seat the skyline appeared

different & I flew the machine

practically level all the time,

finding it pretty bumpy. Completed

a circuit & then saw Badgery

waving. Took it that he meant me 

to come down, waved back, completed

my circuit, & attempted to land

down wind. Made an awful mess

of it, landing much too fast, &

striking the ground before I had

had time to flatten out. The

undercarriage was properly flattened

out & the lower plane damaged. I

believe I was the cause of a great

deal of excitement, to those who

watched me careering round.

Badgery appeared relieved that I

had come to no harm.

Played hockey before dinner so

had a pretty strenuous morning.

The major came up again just

about 7 p.m, & took me up for some

more practice. I did six landings

none of them too sweet, & then one

by myself. This time I flattened a

shade too much & broke a wire

of the undercarriage. That makes

3 breakages in as many landings.

I have now had 3 hrs 35 mins Dual

& 35 mins. solo. Am due for

early flying again in the morning.

Saturday Sept 8^th 11a.m Was up at 6 a.m this

morning but did not fly till 8 - 20

when I went up for ½ an hour,

climbed to 2000, - continued to land

without breaking anything, though there

was nothing very flash about it.

It was a beautiful sunny morning

though foggy when we first started

While I was up the other two

A Flight machines were put out of

action. Badgery made a forced

landing & struck a hedge, and

Miller taxied into the other on the

'drome damaging one extension.

Sunday Sept 9^th Last night no flying, but we did

not wash out till 8 p.m. when it was too late

to go to Shrewsbury. Was called at

6-30 am. for early flying. Morning cloudy

but air very good. Went up at 7-15

cruised round for a while keeping

aerodrome in sight, chased a train

going to Wim & raced it up the line.

Then passed over Roden, then wheeled to

return to aerodrome but could not

see it. I expect I flew several

ways looking for it & lost all sense

of direction my only recognisable

landmark being the mount near

Wellington, finally I got that behind

me & followed a railway till it led

me to Tern Hill aerodrome, which at the

first glance I mistook for our own.

I decided that I would do as well

to land there & get my direction accurately

& did so, managing to reach the ground

without damage. I met several of

the boys who were here until a week

or so back, also Benjamin whom I had not

see for 6 months. He is now flying stores.

Made a poor job of taxying on the drome,

but finally got off & was soon in sight of

the aerodrome. Cruised round for a

few times, chiefly to ascertain wind

direction & even then came down the

wrong way, however there was practically

no wind on the ground. As usual

made a mess of the landing, pancaked

& broke the left skid. Was two hours

in the air in all. Morning very cloudy

& I kept between 3000 & 2000 ft.

Above 2000 I was almost continually

in clouds & had to dive through them.

The experience was not altogether

unpleasant, though one loses all

sense of direction. Went through M.G. tent today.

Monday Sept 10^th Yesterday evening I was sent

up again at 6 - 30 with instructions to

do my wireless work. I cruised

round the aerodrome, but go so wrapped

up in my wireless that when I had

finished I lost sight of the 'drome.

However, I turned back in its direction

without any misgivings & it was not

till I had continued for some time &

made several turns that I realised

I was lost. I imagined I saw

Shrewsbury in the distance (the weather

was dull & cloudy) & leaving it behind

me followed a railway which I thought

would lead me near the camp.

However after travelling a long distance I

arrived at a place which I now believe

to be Oswestry. Turned thence to the right

& followed a line which led me to

Prees Heath. There again to the right

& the railway led me to Shrewsbury

though I did not recognise the

town. It was then about 7- 45 & the

light was beginning to fail, also the

wind had sprung up & the machine

was tossing in all directions. However I

saw a p big piece of ground which

proved to be the race course & decided

to land there, did so, having to fly

over part of the town to get myself into

position. I found it excessively rough

but got down without mishap. A

great crowd collected, & I obtained my

direction of Shawbury & decided to

make a dash for it. However after

about 15 minutes flying I decided I

must be off the track again, & made

up my mind to land before it became

too dark. Faced into the wind &

glided down into a perfect little field,

but made a poor landing & broke about 

six wires, (no skids). It was then 8-10 p.m.

Quite a few people collected including

two privates working in the neighbourhood

whom I at once seized on to form a 

guard to the machine. A couple of

the visitors conducted me to Walsal

village, when I applied at the station

for permission to telephone. Could only

get through on the railway to Wellington,

but the inspector there took my message,

& sent it there across to the police

station where it was transmitted

through Shrewsbury to Shawbury.

Later a reply came back that they

had no received my message & were

sending help. I retired into the

Grove Hotel, where I was made very

welcome by the proprietors Mr & Mrs

Fletcher, & they provided me with

supper. I waited on till 11 pm. & then

as no help had come, I went to

look for the machine & relieve the

men on duty. It was pitch dark

& I could not find the machine

at first, nor could I get a reply

to my whistling from the men.

Mr Fletcher had lent me a couple of

thick overcoats & I had almost

reconciled myself to sleeping on the

roadside, but after a rest I

decided to search again for the

machine & this time found it. There

was no sign of the guard & I

climbed into the nacelle & dozed

the night away. As dawn was

approaching the men reappeared

rather surprised to find me in

possession. They stated that they

had been resting near the hedge.

Later in the morning I went again

to the Grove & was treated to

Br breakfast. The tender with

Badgery & the mechanics arrived about

9-30, & they set to work & had everything

right by about 12-20. so then

Badgery took me home in the 'bus.