Nottingham
Sept. 18 1917

Dear Dad:

I suppose you will wonder how I got down here. We have had a couple of Nieuports in our sheds that nobody ever flies and yesterday morning the O.C. told me to deliver one of them to a drom near Rugby, about 70-80 miles away. Another chap, an officer who has been to France & has his wings took the other one and we started off yesterday afternoon.

Got down this far all right and then the other fellow landed at a landing ground near a little town about five miles frome Nottingham called Ruddington. As I had been told to follow him, why! I came down ditto. He said he had lost his way but I really think he wanted to have a day here. Anyway - after we landed we found that he had a flat tire & I had a blow out.

We tried to get spares but could not so put a military guard over our machines and came into town. Put up at the Wellbeck Hotel, a dead place, and were to the theatre in the evening. This morning we took the train back to Ruddington, took the good tire off my machine and put it on his and he buzzed off to Rugby for spares while I waited at the field for him. I had lunch at a 'Pub in Ruddington, darned good too. Cost me 1/9. Would cost about 4 or 5 in London. I got a phone call from Playne (my companion) this afternoon saying that he had reached Rugby OK. but had to have his engine look over and would be back in the morning. So I came back here.

This is a pretty good hotel. Lots of life. I am just waiting to go to the theatre again.

We were supposed to get back the same day we started but it is drawing out to three now and I am not through yet. However I should worry. This is as good as leave to me. Am having a rest & a good time & good experience I will take the train back to Ruddington to-morrow morning to me[?] Playne and if the weather is good will "probably" get off sooner or later.

Excuse the scribble but I am keeping the theatre waiting. Will write soon & tell you how I came out finally.

With love to all,
Gord

Have not heard from you for 14 days. Expect to get some mail when I return to Scampton
G