had another scrap or two, and then, having brough
t a Bosche down, decided that honour was satisfied, and that he had better find his way home again.
On the afternoon patrol we lost Corbett. We heard afterwards that in a fight with two enemy machines, near Belville Wood, he brought one down and was then himself killed in the air.
A fine youngster - he was only 18 - with the heart of a lion, and all the attributes which go to make a successful fighting pilot. He had become a general favourite in the Squadron and his loss was keenly felt. He was buried on December 6th in the C.C.S. Cemetery at Heilly.
The rehearsals were now in full swing for our Christmas Revue, Mr. Brice and Leading Mechanic Black being the foremost figures in the enterprise. On non-flying days we were managing to keep ourselves fit with rugger and soccer matches, and we were doing pretty well.
The fogs during the first few days of December were followed by bad weather throughout almost the entire month, and it was a very trying time for all the pilots. On December 10th we had a very bad crash on the aerodrome, resulting in the death of Trapp. He had his “Sopwith” up for a test flight and, on pulling out of a very steep dive, the machine folded up. He was a splendid type of Canadian whom everybody liked, and he was an exceptionally courageous and brilliant fighting pilot. He was buried at Beauval on December 11th.
The weather continued bad right up to Christmas and for once in a way one was relieved to End a dud morning when Christmas day broke. As the conditions removed all doubt as to whether to send machines off on jobs or not, one was able to lie back and enjoy one’s day. I remember going to Church in the morning, having an enormous meal in the middle of the day, preceded by rounds of the mess decks, playing soccer in the afternoon, and taking part in a Smoking Concert in the transport hangar at night. December ended true to its reputation, and I find in my Diary nothing but references to low clouds and very strong winds. On the night of the 31st, most of us went up to No. 23 Squadron’s Mess and saw the New Year in.
In the New Year Promotions List, Mackenzie went up to Flight Commander, and Thom, Booker, Compston, Wood, Todd, and Grange to Flight Lieutenants. O’Hagan was promoted to Lieutenant R.N.V.R. We played No. 5 Squadron
