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Wonderful stuff as always folks, I've just spent a most enjoyable hour plus catching up on all your stories.

Between WOFF projects and RL commitments I have managed to stay current with Captain Swanson's daily sorties but little beyond that. One point of interest is a new pilot that has very recently joined Swany's crew at 37 Squadron, a 2nd Lieutenant from Canada by the name of William "Billy" Bishop. Despite his being in the war since the start, first in the cavalry and then as an R.F.C. observer, he is very green as a pilot, and seems most anxious to make a name for himself in that regard. The fellow became immediately interested in learning all he could from Swanson after seeing the VC and other ribbons and wound stripes on the station commander's tunic, and has been following him around like a lost puppy for the past week. (It should be noted that Swanson and Bishop had met once before, a year ago in Netheravon when each man had been there for training, Swany as a pilot and Billy as an observer. While Swany remembered the meeting, Billy did not.) The Captain finds his new ward likable enough, though a bit full of himself, in particular given his lack of piloting experience, (the man's godawful at landings and the riggers and mechanics cringe every time he pancakes his plane onto the ground from several feet up). None-the-less, Swanson is doing all he can to impart any wisdom that might be useful to Bishop as he is an attentive pupil. Appreciative too. He's invited Swany to join him in London for Christmas at the estate of one Lady St. Helier. Billy refers to her as "Granny", though apparently she's no relation but rather a good friend of the family, as well as being the person responsible for expediting young Bishop's acceptance into the RFC. Swany had to curb the young fellow's enthusiastic plans, reminding him there was a war on and despite their Home Establishment posting it was most likely they would not be allowed to leave camp for the holiday, but he would make the request of HQ.


Susan Elizabeth Mary Jeune, Baroness St Helier
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