4 Squadron R. F. C. B. E. F. France 30/10/17 My Dear Mother: Yesterday the parcel which was posted Oct 5th arrived in good shape. It was most welcome, too. It came just a couple of hours before I had to go up and so I had Joe make me a hot cup of cocoa. I had been up twice before during the morning and had missed my lunch so that it was doubly welcome. Then when I came down after my last trip (4th) it was quite dark and raining and, believe me, I was cold, so I had another bowl of it. Two lots of letters came last week too. All the delayed mail. So glad that everyone is so well. I suppose Elizabeth will be back before this. Perhaps her trip to Toronto would do her good. Emily is very sensible to give up the school for this year. You will have a good winter together and the rest will do her a world of good. I am sorry that the Gilroy girls do not hear from the boys oftener. Both are quite alright as it happens. Over here one does get into the habit of not writing I know. Often it is very hard for one to write and I am afraid I miss occasionally. There is never anything to write about except the war and I am sure we are all tired of hearing about that. I was surprised and delighted to see Alfred the other day. He rode into the aerodrome on horseback and I happened to be standing right at the entrance at the time. He looks very well but a little tired I thought. I had lunch served in my room so we had it together. We also had quite a nice chat. He was just resting a day while his battery were taking up a position nearby. I made him change his boots and socks, which were wet, and gave him fresh socks and a pair of good strong field boots that I had ready for him. So he will have a better chance to keep some of the wet out. It is his first turn in this part of the country and I hope he soon gets back to his own part again. He was feeling quite good, as his letters and etc were beginning to come after such a long delay while he was in various hospitals etc. I felt quite a novice at flying yesterday. It was nearly two weeks since I had been up in a machine. About 12 days ago while I was on photography I ran into a bunch of three Huns. I missed my escort somehow, or else they failed to show up. Anyway, I had to go over alone. When I got over 3 scouts were there to greet me. Of course, I was scared stiff but it was too late to turn back so I did the unexpected and dived on the nearest one. I took him quite unawares, so I got my old machine going at about 100 or 110 m. p. h. and when within about 100 feet of him I pulled the trigger. But you can imagine how I felt when it didn't work. However, I don't think I felt any worse than he did. I saw his face and it was anything but pleasant. He saw at once that I was helpless so he got ready for a go at me, but just then a gust of wind got under one of his wings and before he had recovered I made a quick turn and my machine gunner in the rear seat got busy, and in less than 15 seconds he had 80 rounds into him and he went down. We saw no more of him. But the other two then came on and by attacking us from both sides at once, they gave us a busy time. My gunner was splendid and kept them off but they certainly got a few shots into the bus. I guess I turned the old machine upside down and into all shapes but it had the right effect anyway. Early in the scrap I got a bullet into my right leg, but it did not bother me much, and it was not until I was nearly home that my leg felt numb. At any rate we got our photos and landed alright, which are the main things. My gunner worked the camera with his feet while he kept the Huns off with the gun. Quite a stout effort on his part, don't you think? After I had finished lunch I got a tender and went to the Hospital (Canadian) where I knew all the doctors and had leg dressed and X-rayed. It was in there alright but pretty deep into the flesh so I decided not to have it cut open, so it is still there. I did not stay at hospital but they insisted on my going to bed, so I came home to my own bed and stayed there for 3 or 4 days. Since then I have been getting around with a cane. But I am O.K. again now, and flying as usual. If I had stayed at hospital you should probably have received one of those tactless cables from the W[arrant] O[fficer]. So as it is you have nothing to worry about now. Of course, I have lots of every-day experiences which I sometimes don't mention because there is no need to worry about things which are past. When I get back I will tell you all about it if you like. That is if there is anything worth telling. We are all quite depressed tonight as one of our best pilots was brought down today by one of our own shells. It is hard luck to be hit by our own, isn't it? I had a similar experience about two weeks ago. A 6" shell went thru my planes, cutting away my flying wires on one side but it did not explode, so I got down alright. It certainly puts the wind up one at the time, though. Must close now and have dinner. I am in the pink & feel absolutely fit. Lots of love for Father, Em & self. Loving son, Wilbert