Sunday Evening,
26 - 8 - 17.

I was on my first show last evening over the line. Five of us went on patrol at twelve thousand feet. Some Huns were above us and fired down on us, but when we showed signs of climbing up, they "beetled" off. We were up one and a half hours in the evening and landed at dark, quite difficult too. At ten thousand I began to straggle and was singled out by "Archie" who gave me lots of shelling but nothing to worry me - only once did I side slip to upset his calculations and it worked - I suddenly remembered I was losing speed because I had not adjusted my mixture to the altitude. My "revs" went up by 500 P.M. and the old propeller just sounded like music to my ears - I soon caught up to my pals in the formation, all the while keeping an eye on the wily Huns above. Had a fine look at Hunland and at dusk the flashes on the ground of the guns were a wonderful sight. I'm looking forward to bring down a Hun before long and then some more.

Well, Dad, I guess I'll "beetle" off to bed now as I expect to be on an early show, weather permitting. Just now its quite dud. Have had no word from you yet but am looking for one every mail.

P.S.
See a friend of mine Capt. Neale was killed at Hounslow. He was at Dover and London Colney with me. Hard luck, poor chap.

Later - August 26th.

Got letters at noon today (mail arrives then). They are the first and only word I've had from anywhere since my arrival here a week ago tonight. I had my first trip over the lines last night (evening) and formed part of a patrol looking for Huns. Some were above us a good way and fired at us, but they didn't have the nerve to come down to close quarters. We also got some "Archie" very close but it only amused us. I had a good look at the enemy country when I wasn't stretching my neck looking for a Hun to dive down on me!! I was at 12000 feet most of the time, and was on patrol one and a half hours! Quite long enough as it's a good deal of a strain, and when we are busy we get about four patrols a day so you see it is tiring work.

I haven't been feeling very well the last two or three days, think I had some tinned goods that were a bit "off". Feel a bit better tonight. Went to bed this afternoon and slept as I was to have been on a "stunt" tonight, but the weather turned very "dud" and wet, so I'm quite happy to rest, in my present state of health.