Letter from Sir Lawrence to his mother, Mary Pattinson
Sir Lawrence discusses seeing the 'fire balls' which are now being used by the enemy and includes a small illustration. He comments on other conflicts that he has been in, and remarks that he has no news about coming home yet.
Included in the envelope is a newspaper cutting relating to Sir John French's commendation to the work of the Flying Corps.
Letter from Sir Lawrence to his mother, Mary Pattinson
Sir Lawrence discusses being stuck at Rouen for a day or two and describes it as a place 'out to rob the British soldiers'. He complains about the journey to get there, but remarks he has no news because war is 'always a beastly slow business'.
He comments that his juveniles are keeping in good spirits despite the discomfort of the town owing to it being spoilt by the army.
Written from the Grand Hotel D'Angleterre, Rouen.
Letter from Sir Lawrence to his mother, Mary Pattinson
Sir Lawrence discusses a 'strut corner brawl', and describes taking a young observer along the lines only to find himself involved in a fight with four German planes. He admits he didn't manage to incapacitate any of them, but feels he has 'shown the superiority of the British pilots'.
He assures his mother he is unlikely to fight again unless it is absoultely neccessary, and remarks that he saw Roger Gould, an Australian man who had rowed with Sir Lawrence at Jesus College.
Letter from Sir Lawrence to his mother, Mary Pattinson
Sir Lawrence discusses an air combat including four of his men, during which they managed to do some damage to the enemy.
He comments that he is very busy at the moment because his Recording Officer has not turned up.
Letter from Sir Lawrence to his mother, Mary Pattinson
Sir Lawrence discusses preparations for getting to an aerodrome in Paris, checking his Vickers plane over, flying and then returning to Paris because of the conditions.
Written from the Hotel Meurice, Paris.
Letter from Sir Lawrence to his mother, Mary Pattinson
Sir Lawrence discusses an encounter he had with a sausage captive balloon.
Written from France.
Letter from Sir Lawrence to his mother, Mary Pattinson
Sir Lawrence discusses his stay at Netheravon, his flight in a Henry Harman with dual control and the types of planes he may progress to flying. He remarks on the new Commanding Officer of his squadron and his flight commander.
He comments that Johnny Fairbairn, a fellow student and oarsman when Sir Lawrence attended Jesus College, is in a different squadron.
Written from Netheravon, Wiltshire.
Letter from Sir Lawrence to his mother, Mary Pattinson
Sir Lawrence discusses parcels received from his mother, including grouse, stockings, chocolates and silk gloves. He comments on seeing his first 'real live Hun' and chasing an enemy plane. He remarks that he is writing a full account of the fight to his father, and also for his own interest in it in years to come.
Letter from Sir Lawrence to his mother, Mary Pattinson
Sir Lawrence discusses being on patrol and having a fight with a German plane, during which he recieved a small wound to his leg when his plane was shelled. He describes the damage to his plane and comments that he expects to see one of the German "two-tails" soon.
Letter from Sir Lawrence to his mother, Mary Pattinson
Sir Lawrence discusses staying in the Ritz hotel in Paris which has allowed English officers to stay for ten francs a night. He comments on the ""cheeriness and enthusiasm"" the French show for the English Flying Corps, and describes the welcome he recieved.
He describes a message from Sir John French congratulating pilots and observers on recent fighting. Sir Lawrence remarks that the major approves of his 'gun mounting idea' and he hopes for great things to come of it.
Written from the Ritz Hotel, Paris.