No. 11 Sqdn R.F.C.
B. F. France
28/6/17.

Dear Ones All,

I realize that it is over a week since I last wrote to you, and I know that Molly is behind with her correspondence just now and is almost too busy to write to any one, so probably you will not have heard from her either. I got back to the Sqdn on the 25th being lucky enough to get a tender at Boulogne which took me right here, avoiding the 24 hour train journey.

In the three days that I have been here there have been three of my pilots killed and one observer- my old friend Duncan- now in hospital with a fractured skull, and the doctors say that the chances are all against his recovery. I am heart broken over Duncan. He has been both my observer and my room-mate ever since I came to France and he has come to be the very best pal I have in the world. We have come through so much together, and he has always been so absolutely true and reliable in every emergency that I just love him like a brother. And it all seemed so unnecessary too, just a silly flying accident, and it was all on the aerodrome, right before my eyes, which made it ten times harder to bear.

I found several letters from home awaiting me on my return here. I was so sorry to hear of Cousin Belle’s accident. What a shock it must have given her!

Please, Dear People, don’t, under any circumstances, let any more of my letters get into the newspapers. I need only tell you that if any of those papers fell into the hands of a member of the R.F.C. I would be completely ostrascized forthwith, to show you how much I mean it. My letters even though they be descriptive as you are kind enough to call them, are meant for your eyes and no one else’s.

Good-night, my dear ones. This is a poor letter but the best I can do to-night.

Lovingly as always,
Eric.