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[Page 171]

5.

is taking place in the R.F.C. there is a demand for experienced and skilled pilots to give a stiffening to the new material. In consequence of this it is hopeless to expect that a fairly experienced pilot who is still as sound and fresh as ever can be kept in a comparatively easy job when there is a constant stream of tired out pilots returning from overseas for a rest here.

Even if I could get out of going back now (and there is no way of doing that) I can clearly see that the time is not far off when every possible sound man will be wanted. Then I would have to go out in the summer when the strain is heaviest. As it is I will go out in winter, when things are comparatively quiet and, all being well, will be back in England before the summer fighting starts. So taking everything into consideration I think it is best that I should go now and get it over.

My darling old Mother & Father, I know that this will all be a shock to you and a great worry and that is what hurts me most of all. Were it not for you I would not mind havi at all the prospect of going once more to the front. I am not a bit of a fire-eater but I don't think I am a bigger funk than the average man, and if I had only myself to think of I would have been back long ago. But you are everything in the world to me and my one great fear will always be for you. It is terribly hard to have

 

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