Series 01 Part 02: Hughes family correspondence, 3 April 1917-22 September 1918 - Page 255
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[Page 255]
8.
for getting to Vidals. However on the morning of the 24th I had to go out to Daventry to fly one of my Bristols to the aerodrome – it had landed in a field on its way up & I knew the only way to ensure its reasonably safe arrival was to get it myself!
It was a nasty job as I had to get it out of a ploughed field across the furrows. I got back at lunch time & in the afternoon was walking to the aerodrome when the adjutant met me with the news that I was to report for duty with this squadron. Before I deal with the serious side of this news I will continue the amusing adventures of the next 24 hours.
I immediately packed my kit & left Rugby at 5.30 with Segrave. Arriving in Birmingham at 6.30 we found there was not a train to Cirencester till 2.50 am & no other train at a later & more comfortable hour. We had dinner & went to a poisonous picture show till 10.30. Then we returned to the Midland Hotel and went to bed.
On Christmas day we rose at 2 am & caught the 2.50 train. Arriving at Cheltenham at 4.30 we had an hour & a half to wait for the train to Cirencester. Luckily we found a YMCA Hut on the station & had some tea & meat pies! Eventually we landed at Cirencester at 7 am in darkness. I went to Mass at 8.30 after having some breakfast at the "Kings Head". Then I got a car & took my kit to the aerodrome & had a wash & shave. When I had cleaned myself up somewhat I went on to Barnsely & had lunch at the Vidals. We all went to dinner with the Wykeham-Musgraves at the Park & had a very cheery Christmas party dancing etc till about midnight!