Description
Object description
Ms memoir (146pp, with ts transcription, 146pp – pages are numbered 102-173 and include 'A' page numbers) of his experiences in France as a fitter with 52 Squadron, RFC, describing his motivation and attempts to join the forces, passing a vulcaniser trade test; his training at Farnborough and Larkhill Camp, including details of his kit and accommodation; his posting as a fitter to 7 (Reserve) Squadron, RAF Netheravon; his posting to 52 Squadron, working on RE8s and Maurice Farmans, describing the peculiarities of the Gnome rotary engine and its problems, witnessing an aircraft crash, being on submarine guard on the crossing to France, setting up a new aerodrome at Meyault, the squadron's role in artillery observation, describing the problems of the RE8s and his resulting modifications demonstrating Constantinesco synchronization gear to other squadrons, forming the Zig Zag concert party with George Stratton, an attack on his aerodrome at Fermes de Soissons by a flight of Fokkers and the resulting chaotic evacuation of the aerodrome to Treconne, mentioning colleagues, artillery observation, and their role in the final push towards Mons; his leave after the Armistice, describing transport difficulties and helping extinguish a fire at Newby Hall; returning to join 48 Squadron, RAF (52 Squadron had been disbanded) at Cologne working on Bristol Fighters; his posting to Quetta to participate in the 2nd Afghan War, describing the disorganised journey leaving Marseille in May 1920 and reaching Quetta in August, the loss or theft of much of their equipment en route, mentioning pilots crashing due to the unfamiliar altitude of Quetta, attending a sports meeting held by the army at Lahore, the return of army drill and his disagreement with his Commanding Officer regarding parades preventing him from doing his work, and his resulting journey back to England and demobilisation; together with his ms illustrated technical notebook and a copy print of a group photograph (Wood is in the second row, third from left).
Content description
Ms memoir (146pp, with ts transcription, 146pp – pages are numbered 102-173 and include 'A' page numbers) of his experiences in France as a fitter with 52 Squadron, RFC, describing his motivation and attempts to join the forces, passing a vulcaniser trade test; his training at Farnborough and Larkhill Camp, including details of his kit and accommodation; his posting as a fitter to 7 (Reserve) Squadron, RAF Netheravon; his posting to 52 Squadron, working on RE8s and Maurice Farmans, describing the peculiarities of the Gnome rotary engine and its problems, witnessing an aircraft crash, being on submarine guard on the crossing to France, setting up a new aerodrome at Meyault, the squadron's role in artillery observation, describing the problems of the RE8s and his resulting modifications demonstrating Constantinesco synchronization gear to other squadrons, forming the Zig Zag concert party with George Stratton, an attack on his aerodrome at Fermes de Soissons by a flight of Fokkers and the resulting chaotic evacuation of the aerodrome to Treconne, mentioning colleagues, artillery observation, and their role in the final push towards Mons; his leave after the Armistice, describing transport difficulties and helping extinguish a fire at Newby Hall; returning to join 48 Squadron, RAF (52 Squadron had been disbanded) at Cologne working on Bristol Fighters; his posting to Quetta to participate in the 2nd Afghan War, describing the disorganised journey leaving Marseille in May 1920 and reaching Quetta in August, the loss or theft of much of their equipment en route, mentioning pilots crashing due to the unfamiliar altitude of Quetta, attending a sports meeting held by the army at Lahore, the return of army drill and his disagreement with his Commanding Officer regarding parades preventing him from doing his work, and his resulting journey back to England and demobilisation; together with his ms illustrated technical notebook and a copy print of a group photograph (Wood is in the second row, third from left).