Series 01 Part 02: Hughes family correspondence, 3 April 1917-22 September 1918 - Page 128
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[Page 128]
12.
a fresh start all over again.
I am afraid I have lost some of my former keeness keenness and energy for the job. I doubt very much whether my efforts will be appreciated here but I've got beyond the point of careing about that. I've got the job to do and though I don't want it I'm going to do it properly.
For a start I am going to apply for a few days leave, as I feel I need it badly not having had more than an odd day or two during the last six months. Then I hope to tackle the thankless task of putting things right with renewed energy.
I can see awful trouble ahead – especially with the mechanics. There is no time for half-measures and I am going at it with my coat off this time. Already I am being pestered with applications for leave from the men, so I am going to start by stopping all leave until things are done as I want them. That will make me very unpopular but it will show them that I mean business. No one can get change the men's ideas from the line of least resistance to absolute efficiency without becoming unpopular, so that does'nt matter. I was very unpopular with my old flight at first but they gradually changed their point of view & I dare say this flight will do the same. If only I am not interfered with I will have them going well within a month and then they will prefer doing their work properly.