Click here to read the C.-in-C.’s inspiring and encouraging
“Special Order of the Day,” dated 8th June:-
During the next week or two we were kept very busy
making life a burden to enemy artillery machines and
high flying two-seaters. Click here to read “The Summary
of Work” for the period 3rd to 16th June:
The 12th of June was a good day. Compston shot down an Albatross Scout close on the other side of the lines; then a Booker-Jenner Parson-Soar combination strafed an Aviatick over Arras (the remains of which Whitehead collected and took to No. 1 A.D.); and finally Soar got one down single handed S.E. of Arras. On June 19th we had a surprise visit from Admiral Lord Charles Beresford. I remember his pride and interest at seeing the White Ensign flying and his farewell remark to me: “Give my respects to all your officers and tell them to keep up the old traditions.”
On the following day the First Army Troops held their Horse Show at Houdain. We had entered for the best turned out Lorry and for several athletic events. Unfortunately our lorry was disqualified owing to a mistake on my part in sending a type of lorry (Stores) not eligible. She was judged, however, and gained second place on points. In the running events Leading Mechanic Black won the 100 yards; D’Albiac, Black, Peachey, and Brownridge won the 220 yards Relay; Lynn and James were 2nd in the three-Legged Race, and I got home 3rd in the Quarter Mile.
On June 23rd we had McAllister killed in a crash. He had been on an offensive patrol with his Flight, and when over Neuville St. Vaast on the way home, his machine broke in the air whilst he was doing a practice spin. On the 25th we had a visit from the Prince of Siam, and in the afternoon I went to the First Army Horse Show with D’Albiac and ran in the quarter-mile.
Little put up a good show for our benefit on the 26th. Through our telescope on the aerodrome we saw an Aviatick approaching from the Vimy Ridge direction and off went Little to deal with him. The report of the fight from an independent source was as follows:
"One Sopwith triplane engaged one enemy machine over the line Vimy-Oppy. The enemy came to ground about one mile behind Acheville out of control. One man fell from machine while Fighting. Triplane had the advantage all through the Fight."
