The whole story of Naval Eight, as told by the six joint authors, was produced in 1931 and printed privately by the Signal Pres, and Oliver Stewart gave it a very nice write-up in the Morning Post. The concluding paragraph reads “Naval Eight” is a book not only for all who were in the flying services, but also for those who desire a clear and stirring picture of one of the Great War air Squadrons.”
My own chapter ended with the Armistice and I concluded it by recording: “I must ask all of those who read to bear in mind that it has been written chiefly from memory, some thirteen years later. There are bound to be omissions and many incidents unrecorded. The period under review was just ‘cram full’ from first to last, and for me it was the event of my life. Though the war affected all young men in diverse ways and left its tragic mark on so many, I would not have missed it had I the chance to live my life again. The memories of those days and the friends I made will ever be one of my dearest recollections.”
I left them in January 1919 and I did not meet the Squadron again for 37 years when, in November 1955, five of the Old Boys flew out to Abu Sueir for a ceremonial presentation of the Squadron Colours.
Read Mike Bradley’s recollection of meeting Major Draper here:
It was back to Eastchurch again, for the fourth and last time, for I was demobbed from there on 15 May 1919, as a Major, R.A.F. Three months leave on full pay and a bonus at the rate of £150 for each year served, £750 in all, also over £300 in Prize Money, given only to the Navy. I never quite knew what my “prizes” could have been!
Click here to read Flight Commander
R J O Compston’s account of the period
May 1917 to March 1918:
Major Draper’s anecdote is taken from his
autobiography ‘The Mad Major’. Click here
for a review of the book:
