Discusses Sir Lawrence when he was a pupil at the college, commenting that he passed his Public Examination of the Melbourne University in seven subjects. Adamson remarks that Sir Lawrence was made Prefect at College and describes him as a 'thoroughly trustworthy and honourable boy'.
Letter from Sir Lawrence to his mother, Mary Pattinson
Sir Lawrence relates his first experiences flying alone, admitting he was 'desperately nervous' but did 'fairly well', and that it made him appreciate flying with an experienced pilot.
He remarks that the biggest difficulty was starting the plane on the ground with a Maurice Farman plane and comments that he must go to bed early to be up for duty at 6.30 the following morning, and promises to visit his mother at first chance.
Written from The Kings Head hotel, Harrow on the Hill, London.
Letter from Sir Lawrence to his mother, Mary Pattinson
Sir Lawrence thanks his mother for a parcel containing tinned goods, marrow glaces and chocolate.
He describes dealing with a seemingly broken engine, and mentions pamphlets he has seen about Cambridge men serving in the war and a sermon by Arthur Gray. He comments on developments in communication and field telephones, and conditions in the trenches.
Letter from Sir Lawrence to his mother, Mary Pattinson
Sir Lawrence discusses 80 minutes of flying trying to patrol the trenches, which was hindered by a big bank of cloud and snow storms.
He gives thanks for the 'wolley helmet' sent by his mother and the "letter from Granny".
Letter from Sir Lawrence to his mother, Mary Pattinson
Sir Lawrence discusses a letter and Christmas card sent to his mother by his flight sergeant as a thank you for socks sent over.
He describes his morning spent doing mixed patrol and photography, during which time his propellor broke and he was confronted by German planes known as ""two tails"". He remarks on firing rounds at the German planes, and they fly off in a 'most extrodinairy case of German lack of enterprise'. He includes detailed drawings and annotations of the ""two tail"" planes.
Letter from Sir Lawrence to his mother, Mary Pattinson
Sir Lawrence discusses doing a reconnaissance, being put up by a Brignole Headquarters and being pleased at the "amazing price of buck".
Written from France.
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 bad weather, enjoying piloting, and flying the 'scout'.
Thanks his mother for paying his bills and assures her he is getting his tabac.
Written from France.
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.