Pilot training

In order to learn to fly, Athol commenced his pilot training with No.22 Reserve Squadron, Royal Flying Corps, on 17 December 1916.

The No.22 Reserve Squadron was established as an intermediate level training squadron. The squadron was stationed at the No. 3 School of Military Aeronautics, Aboukir (sometimes spelt Abu Qir - see map below) located on the north-eastern outskirts of Alexandria. The school was set up in late November 1916 so Athol would have been one of their first pupils.

The pilots were trained on Avro 504s and Curtiss JN3s but the first fortnight of a pilot's training was book learning.

Map showing Aboukir (Abu Qir)

Ref: http://thetouristinparis.com/paris

Athol photos - sightseeing whilst on Christmas leave

Athol appears to have taken these photos whilst on Christmas leave. They are about 80mm x 60mm. It appears they were all taken on the same roll of film as they have a similar black edge. Athol refers to this period of leave in his letter written on 28 December (yesterday's post) and his visit to Port Said and Alexandria to meet Tug Duffy.

Note the signage on the shopfront on the right 'Feather Store'.

The streets are virtually empty so maybe this was very early morning.

Probably Alexandria or Port Said.

Another mainly deserted street. Probably Alexandria or Port Said.

Probably Port Said as Athol said he went there to meet his friend Tug Duffy who was expected to arrive by troop ship. The ship was late so they ended up meeting later.

Probably Port Said.

Probably Port Said.

Last Letter - 28 December 1916 - Athol starts pilot training at Aboukir

Athol writes home to mother. He thanks her for the Christmas gifts and her cable. He has a few day's leave in Port Said and Alexandria. He starts his pilots' training course at the No.3 School of Military Aeronautics at Aboukir, near Alexandria.

This is Athol's last letter. However, I will continue to make posts to the blog and include some of Athol's photos and use other material to follow his story until February 1917.

No 3 School Military Aeronautics

Aboukir

28.12.16

Dear Mater,

I have quite a list to thank you for this time. Letter 64, Xmas cable, Webbs parcel, 1 parcel clothing, 2 of chocolate, 5 lots of papers.

I left the Squadron on 18th and got into Port Said on Tuesday 19th evening in order to met Tug Duffy on the Kanowina (sp?). She was a day late so I left Port Said and came to Alexandria reporting on 22nd. Pottered about all 23rd and then got leave until 27th as the course hadn't started. So had Xmas in Alexandria. Played tennis in the morning, golf after lunch, billyards after tea and had a dance in the hotel after dinner.

This course lasts a fortnight. It takes a couple of months in England. Then if we pass we go to Heliopolis or 'Ismailia' to fly Maurice Farmans then come back here for Avros and B.Es. The first fortnight is by far the worst and I'll have to work pretty hard. I haven't got today's notes written up quite yet.

Tug Duffy came out to see me here last Saturday as his boat was in that day.

My love to Aunts and Pater,

Yours lovingly,

Athol.

PS Same address.

Service record - posted to flying school

In Athol's service record, now held in the National Archives of Australia (NAA), the Army note that Athol was posted to the "No.3 School of Military Aeronautics for instruction in aviation". I think the transfer was effective from 22 December 1916 which seems to be backed up by the information in his letters.

The lower line item, dated 24 December 1916, says that he was attached to the 20th Reserve Wing of RFC. These RFC reserve wings were established exclusively for training. In Athol's letters he says he is attached to 22nd Reserve Wing.

The three RFC Reserve Wings at Aboukir were training pilots at the No.3 School Military Aeronautics which was newly established facility.

Reference: Australian National Archives - NAA: B2455, ADAMS A G Page 15 of 140

Letter - 10 December 1916 - a flight over the Turkish lines

Athol writes home to mother. More letters and parcels arrive. The men in 'A' Flight form a soccer team as the competition (an English regiment) won't play Australian rules. Athol takes part in a bombing raid of the Turkish lines. He and a friend, Lieut Cole*, plan a trip to Port Said.

Kantara
10.12.16

Dear Mater,

Two letters to thank you for this time 62 & 63 also a pair of boots, and a couple each of Australasians, Punch  and Table Talk etc. I won't want any more boots for ages as I've two pairs that I haven't worn now, and Bruce's boots practically don't wear out. Anyway I've never fairly worn a pair yet through I bunt one and lost two!

There isn't much doing here as usual. We are quite a small family now as 'C' Flight have moved out leaving only 'A' and ...... Cap't Sheldon is acting O.C. Squadron whilst Major Rutledge is in England.

We had a game of soccer the other day, practice match and then yesterday the Squadron team played another Regiment and lost 4 to 1. You see we can't get a game of Australian rules and so have to play the English games.

I had a fly over the Turkish lines the other day. Gave them a couple of bombs to go on with. Didn't do much harm though.

I'm going up to Port Said for the day today with Cole*, the coroner's son. It will be the first time I've been ashore there for over six years. When we went through in '14 we didn't land. My love to the Aunts and Pater.

Yours lovingly,

Athol

Adrian Trevor Cole was the same age as Athol.  Lt Cole was also a Melbourne Grammar boy. He enlised on 28 January 1916 and arrived in Egypt on 16 March 1916. He initially trained as an aircraft mechanic and went on to learn to fly in November at about the same time as Athol gaining his pilot's wings in November 1916. He also served in WW2 in the RAAF and had an interesting career after the War. You can read more about him at:
http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/cole-adrian-lindley-trevor-9780

Capt Adrian Trevor Cole

Australian War Memorial image: P01034.050

c.1917, Palestine

Letter - 30 November - the enemy flies over Cairo. Athol's plane crashes.

Athol writes home to mother. He recounts how the German pilots flew 90 miles behind their lines to bomb Cairo. The AFC retaliated with raids which bombed a railway line east of the Dead Sea.
The lads invent a new ball game called 'bounders' and Athol umpires two football matches.

Kantara
Egypt
30.11.16

Dear Mater,

There is a mail out this morning I believe, so here is a line.  As you know the Hun flew over and bombed Cairo. A fine effort as he had to go over 90 miles behind our lines to do it. But we got even with several raids, one of which two machines (one Old Melb pilot) bombed the railway on the east of the Dead Sea.  Three of our machines were sent to Cairo to patrol and I had a job on one but as we were leaving here the pilot 'stalled' the machine and we crashed about 30 or 40 feet to earth. No one hurt, I got a bleeding nose, and the machine was about finished. Also I lost the job as another pilot and observer were sent.

I have umpired two football matches for the men and we have invented a game we call 'bounders', a cross between baseball and rounders. 'A' Flight played the rest of the mess a couple of days ago and won by 2 runs. Next Sunday the officers play the men and as they have three baseball players we expect a good game.

We went down to the Canal about ?p.m. yesterday and saw the Medina go through from Australia. Expect we'll get a mail tomorrow. My love to Pater and the Aunts.

Yours lovingly,

Athol

P.S. See V.H.A. (Athol's elder brother - Valentine Harold Adams) is gazetted as a flying officer in RFC. (21.10.16).

Letter - 21 November - trip to Cairo

Athol writes home to mother. He thanks her for another parcel of socks. He made a short visit to Cairo with his mate Lt Ellis. This short letter, sent from Kantara, must have been dashed off very quickly as parts are quite illegible.

Kantara
Egypt
21.11.16

Dear Mater,

Many thanks for No.61 also 1 bundle of socks. Also for enclosure from (illegible). Do you know if I hold any other H.P. shares? because Aunt May said something about some in a letter about 18 months ago since when silence has reigned supreme. It doesn't really make any difference ...but find out on the quiet.

Les Ellis and I went up to Cairo for the weekend. It wasn't bad. We saw Ada Reeves' boy. Quite a change after assorted days, etc shows.

I hope to get away to school in the every near future and then it's more or less only my own fault if I'm long on the road.

There is absolutely nothing to tell this time. I'll try and put up a better performance next mail. Mine to Pater and the Aunts.

Yours lovingly

Athol

El Arish Engagement - 11 November 1916

On 11 November 1916 No.1 AFC (all three Flights: A, B and C) took part in their largest scale raid yet attempted by them or any other air squadron in the East. One Martinsyde and 9 BEs, flew out of Kantara and Mahemdia aerodromes, in formation, loaded with fuel and bombs. They headed towards Beersheba in the east. When they were over El Arish they saw a German aeroplane on the ground. A bomb was dropped but it didn't hit the plane - nor did the German pilot decide to take off and engage the AFC.

A contemporary map of the Egypt Sinai campaign 

Key locations: Kantara, Mahemdia, El Arish, Bir El Mazar, El Arish.

Beersheba is 20 miles east off the edge of the map (see inset map).

Ref: http://fly.historicwings.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/HighFlight-Aero-Medical-Evacuation2.jpg

The Germans probably reported seeing the formation and radioed ahead as, when the Australians reached Beersheba, they were met with anti-aircraft fire, high explosives and shrapnel. The Martinsyde dropped its 100-pound bomb and hit the middle of the aerodrome, 2 of the bombs dropped from BEs hit tents and others hit the railway line and the station.

Two German pilots, one in a Fokker and another in Aviatik, were able to get into the air and engage the Australians. Fortunately they attacked the only two AFC planes which had any self-defence capability, the Martinsyde and the BE flown by Wackett and Turner which the men themselves had fitted with a gun on the middle of the upper wing. The German planes were seen off without damaging any AFC plane.

This is one of Athol's photos and shows a gun mounted in the centre of the top wing.

This could be the plane used by Wackett and Turner during the El Arish engagement.

The AFC observers (including Athol) photographed Beersheba, including the damage caused in the raid. All the Australian planes returned safely after 7 hours in the air. These long flights were quite an achievement in such unreliable aircraft, over hostile territory and in difficult conditions.

Ref: Australian War Memorial image: A00635

Copy of a composite photo mosaic of El Arish and surrounding country. The image was created from numerous prints obtained from aerial photographs taken by aircraft of No 1 Squadron, AFC.

In Athol's letter of 10 December he mentions taking part in the El Arish raid. "I had a fly over the Turkish lines the other day. Gave them a couple of bombs to go on with. Didn't do much harm though."

Two days later the Germans responded with a raid of their own. On 13 November a sole German plane flew over the Allied lines and bombed Cairo. The Australian machines took to the air in pursuit but were not able to match his speed and lost him on the return journey. Athol also mentions this feat in one of his letters (30 November post).


Ref: The Official War History, Vol.VIII, The Australian Flying Corps in the Western and Eastern Theatres of War, 1914-1918, (11th edition, 1941), Chapter IV, 'Air Fighting in the Desert', p.45.

Xmas card - November 1916

Athol sends a Christmas card home to mother. I think this must have been sent on 11 November (see post mark on envelope) in time to reach Melbourne by Christmas.

This postcard was printed for the AFC. The hand drawing with watercolour is

signed by O.H. Coulson.

Letter - 11 November 1916 - Christmas greetings

Athol writes to Mr Whelan a former colleague at his mother's family's company, Huddart Parker.

Kantara
Egypt
11.11.16

Dear Mr Whelan,

Very many thanks for your letter 3-10-16.

This being Christmas mail I'll kill two birds with one stone and wish you the very best of luck for 1917. As you see I'm still in the land of sand and sorrow. It is getting quite nice and cool here now, which is a bit of a change. Also we are now about 300 miles further north and not quite so far from everywhere. This place is on the Canal and so it's a lot more interesting. The rain you had in September is a bit of a change from this spot. I haven't seen a speck of rain since last March.

Haven't had very much flying lately as we have been changing stations, but suppose we'll get more than enough in the near future.

Give my best wishes to any I know in H.P.

Best of luck,

Yours sincerely,

Athol G .Adams

Letter - 9 November 1916 - transfer to Kantara

Athol is transferred, along with the whole of 'A' Flight from Sherika to Kantara where they join the rest of 1 Squadron, AFC. During WW1 Kantara was a key distribution and supply depot. Being a convenient port on the Suez Canal the allies were able to land supplies and take advantage of the major railway line which passed through Kantara linking Port Said with the Gulf of Suez. The Headquarters for the Canal defences and Eastern Force was located at Kantara. In 1916, whilst Athol was located at Kantara, the base supported the ANZAC troops and British units in operation in the Sinai.

The locations of the Battle of Romani (5 August 1916) and the El Arish engagement can also be seen on this map. Cairo is about 160km southwest of Kantara (not on this map). Port Said is about 50km to the north.

Kantara and East of the Suez

Reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Romani#/media/File:Duguid_map_opp_p.48Arish.jpeg

Athol writes that he expects to be moved further east. The men seem to be quite comfortable at Kantara and Athol meets up with other members of the AFC - in fact the whole of the AFC was together as a Squadron in operation as a single unit for the first time at Kantara. He seems to have more than enough clothing and asks Adah to stop sending socks as every man in the Squadron 'has heaps' and there are a lot in store. He says he is sending home some photos and I have uploaded these in earlier posts. In a throw-away line he says he had a little crash a few days ago but no damage to anyone.

Kantara
Egypt
9.11.16

Dear Mater,

As you see by the above we have at last left Sherika and are here for a little while. Then we are going further east.  I came down by train in charge of the men and stores. This place is on the east side of the Canal between Port Said and Ismailia. We are very comfortable here and the other chaps in the Squadron are a fine lot of fellows. I expect to get away to school pretty soon now, in fact as soon as a couple more observers qualify.

I have to thank you for two parcels of socks, two of food and one of clothing also for letter 60. I think for the present anyway it would be a good idea to stop sending me towels, shirts, and singlets as I have more than I want. Also the parcels of socks for the men as every man in the Squadron has heaps and there are a lot in store.

There is really no news, we haven't done any work for ages only joy rides.

I'm sending you a few photos most of which are under separate cover. You may get some idea of the country round Sherika from one of the big ones. Also I'm sending Aunt May a lot and as very few are duplicates you better have a look at them.

This is the last mail before Christmas so all greetings for the season. I don't think I told you I had a little crash a few days ago. Quite gentle and no damage done to anyone and mighty little to the machine.

Love to Aunt Puff and Pater.

Yours lovingly,

Athol

Service record - 7 November 1916 - orders to be Flying Officer

Athol's service record notes that he was transferred on 7 November 1916 to be Flying Officer.

Ref: National Archives of Australia. WW1 service records. NAA: B2455, ADAMS A G, Page 18 of 140

Athol photos - flying in the desert

These two photos appear to have been taken by Athol  whilst he was serving with 'A' Flight, AFC, at Sherika.  Each photo is the usual size, 80mm x 60mm, and there are no notations on the reverse.

Taking off in the desert.

The first two digits on the tail read "41..'" so maybe it is the same aircraft in the post dated

30 October. That was aircraft 4155 a BE2c.

31 October 1916 - anniversary

31 October 1916 marks the 2nd anniversary of HMT Ovieto departing Melbourne. By 31 October Athol had been away from home for 2 years.

Athol photos - 30 October 1916 - aeroplane 4155

Athol appears to have taken these photos at Sherika whilst attached to 'A' Flight. They are the usual size, 68mm x 43mm, quite faded and not at all clear. I have grouped them together as I think they all record the same event.

I believe this is a B.E.2c type aircraft. The B.E.2c came into the AFC in July 1916 and was originally part of 16 Sqn, RFC (see more at: http://www.adf-gallery.com.au/afc4.htm). In the ADF-Gallery list this plane, 4155, is noted as a B.E.2c aircraft.

The notes on the reverse read:

'30.10.16'

The notes on the reverse read:

'4155 crashed Sherika 30.10.16'

The notes on the reverse read:

'Ellis getting out of 4155 30.10.16'

The notes on the reverse read: 

'4155      30.10.16'

The notes on the reverse read:

'4155 burrowing  Sherika  30.10.16'

The notes on the reverse read:

'Casely Kilburn Andrews Soames    4155 Crew'

Letter - 26 October 1916 - the soft Englishman

Athol writes home to mother. An English journalist arrives to join 'A' Flight and they play a couple of pranks on him.

Sherika
Egypt
26.10.16

Dear Mater,

Many thanks for your letter Aug 22 No.58. Also for two Punches. I expect the rest will be along in a day or two from the I.C.C.

We are expecting to move from here any day now as this show is finished bloodlessly and successfully. Canal next I expect. Nothing else to report.

We have an Englishman attached here as observer, a reporter out of the Daily Mail. His Pa must have got him the job because he's just about as soft as ever. We talk the utterest rot at meals about Australia and pretty well everywhere else and he swallows it like a lamb. Told him that we could stay under water 6 minutes. He offered 5 pounds to any of us that could do it. 

We got a tin lined case air-tight, and tied it under the water with an anvil and stand as anchors to make a little diving bell. Mr Englishman held the stopwatch and Capt Sheldon went down and got his head out of water in the box and we dived in and tapped his leg every minute. He came up at 5:45 minutes. Then another chap went under for 4:30 and came up in a fake collapse. Mr E. swallowed the lot. You can see the idea if you put a tin..... topside down in a basin.

Then yesterday G.... took me up and we landed at Meherique about 6 miles away. We had morning tea there. G came back solo and said to Mr E that I had fallen out onto a sand dune from 30ft whilst trying to crawl out on the wings. I had breakfast at Meherique and came in on a camel. Painted my right arm and leg with strong iodine and had a lovely limp. Mr E laments that he cannot send it in to the 'Mail' but has promised to write it up for me in proper paper style, headings and all. 

We have nothing else to do till we go, so are all busy trying to think out something else to work off on him.

Love to Aunts and Pater.

Yours lovingly

Athol