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[Page 11]
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Melbourne called and together we paid our first visit to his Flying School at typically English Denham, such a pretty village only 19 miles from London.
During the week, on my way from a luncheon at the Savoy and a Russian Musical programme afterwards, at which Lady Maud Warrender presided, I saw the wounded being carried to the ambulances from the Charing Cross Station and that sight put me rather out of tune for the supper at Ciro's with its nigger minstrel band. It was an experience to have seen that club of questionable notoriety, but I was glad to hear, soon afterwards, that saner judgment prevailed, and it had to give way to the needs of the Y.M.C.A. A strange transition that only the exigencies of war could effect.
By the courtesy of General McAnderson, I was shown over the Australian Head Quarters and realised that those at Home might be justly critical of the location chosen for Horseferry Road with its unsavory surroundings. It was, I think, an error of judgment.
Quite soon I began to experience the joy of being in London, the great centre for the many opportunities it gave of meeting the boys and the extraordinary coincidences encountered. Before the month was out my elder son was passing through on a sad duty, to Scotland. He had been chosen to represent his squadron at the funeral of a comrade, killed while flying. We met at the Lyceum Club, where the United Empire Circle were that day entertaining Overseas Officers, and among the guests was Colonel Flashman who had been his doctor at Wandsworth.
From him I heard details of the head wound and the reason of the protracted recovery. His account made me realise just how near a thing it was and my appreciation of the skilful treatment by those clever Harley Street Surgeons is unbounded.
From day to day there were engagements that were ever adding new interest. At the Overseas Club I was delightfully entertained by the Organiser, Mr Evelyn Wrench.