ICCL

m. 1938 Cecily Dora Sinclair [Willis], [divorced, from 1952 Mrs Adams], 1 son

m. 1952 Amy E J Russell

prev. RAF

Wrote 'I Couldn't Care Less' in 1943, shortly after leaving the ATA. It was published in October 1945. Flight's reviewer said he enjoyed it, apart from "the author's tendency to write in forced journalese, and to show repeated signs of an exaggerated consciousness about the "right" things to do, to eat and to think."

The reviewer did, however, admit that the writing became more 'free and natural' as the story continued.

'I Couldn't Care Less' ends: "Those years with the ATA have given me so many memories and so much for which to be grateful. I have been privileged to fly the world's fastest and finest aeroplanes - experience which could not have been got for unlimited money before the war. I have ranged these islands of ours from Land's End to John o'Groats, from the Thanet coast to the Western Isles of Scotland, and gained an intimate knowledge of them and their people as would have been impossible in normal times unless possessed of limitless time and money. From the air I have seen the indescribable glory of snow-covered mountains on a clear day in winter; known the peaceful charm, beyond description, of flying over a calm summer sea towards a setting sun; I have known the stern joy and healing wave of happiness that comes only to those who land at an aerodrome after struggling through a hundred miles of really bad weather. All this and much more the ATA has given me, but most of all it has given me friends who will last as long as all of us live, and that in itself is a lot for which to be grateful."

Those friends included Alexander Leslie-Melville (q.v.); "Never have I met anyone whom I liked better or whose tastes were more identical with mine."

He learnt about Melville's death in "a horribly casual fashion... In the Mess one morning the Orderly Officer, who was very new, remarked that he had to officiate at a funeral the following day. Someone called Melville; did anyone know him?"

He didn't go to the funeral; "war leaves no time for sentiment, but even so I couldn't stomach it."

d. Dec 1967  - Colchester, Essex

 Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):