The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1918-10-18
Copyright. 1918. BY Pat Aivs 0'Brien,

nature-German methods behind the
front line trenches, tactics, morale OF
troops and similar matters. Then the
aviation experts would take a whack
at me and discuss with me all had
observed Of German flying corps
methods and equipment. Then. again.
tho food experts would interrogatc
me as to what l had learned Of food
conditions In Germany, Luxembourg
and Belgium. and as had lived pretty
close to the ground for the best part
Of seventy-two days was able to give
them some fairly accurate reports Is
to actual agricultural conditions
many Of the things l told them PROB
ably having more Significance to them
than they had to me.
There were many things had OBJ
served which have not referred to IN
these pages because their value to us
might be diminished II the Germans
knew we were aware Of them, but
hey were all reported to the authori-
ties and it was very gratifying to me
to hear that the experts considered
some Of them of the greatest value.
One Of the most amusing incidents
of my return occurred when l called at
nv bankers In London to get my per-
sonal effects.
The practice in the Royal Flying
corps when a pilot Is reported mis-
sing is to have two of his comrades
assigned to 60 through his belongings,
check them. over. destroy anything
that 1t might not be to his interest to
preserve, and send the whole bust
ness to his banker or his home, as the
case may be. Every letter Is read
through, but their contents Is never
afterwards discussed or revealed in
any way. II the pilot is finally re-
ported dead. his effects are Forwarded
| to his next of kin, but while he b Of
ficially only missing" or Is kno wn to
be q prisoner Of war, they are kept
either at the squadron headquarters
or sent to his bankers.
In my case as soon as 1t was learned
that had fallen from the sky, 1t was
assumed that l had been killed and
my chum. Paul Raney. and another
officer detailed to check over my ef-
fects. The list they made and to
which they affixed their signatures.
as 1 have previously mentioned, is
now In my possession and is one of
the most treasured souvenirs Of my
adventure.
My trunk was sent to Cox + O.. in
due course, and now that 4 was In
London thought I would go aud claim
It.
When I arrived at the bank I ap
piled to the proper window for my
mail and trunk.
"Who are your" 1 was asked rather
sharply.
well, guess no one has any
greater right to Pat O'Brien's effects
than 1 have" l replied. land / would
be obliged to you II you would look
them up for me-"
''That may be all right, my friend.
replied the clerk, ''but according t.
our records Lieutenant O'Brien Is 9
prisoner Of war in Germany, and We
can't very well turn over his effects
! to anyone else unless either you pre-
sent proof that he Is dead and thai
you are his lawful representative, OF
else deliver to us a properly authent
ticated order from him to give then
to you"
He was very positive about 1t all
but quite polite, and 1 thought
J would kid him no more.
"Well," / said, II can't very wei
! present proofs to you that Pat OBriel
, is Gead, but will do the best can t.
prove to you that he Is alive, and L
: you haven't quite forgotten his sig
nature l guess I can write you on
an order that will answer all your re
t Quirements and enable you to give MI
r Pat O'Brien's belongings without run
ming any risks" and l scrubbed m.
signature on scrap Of paper AM
D handed 1t to him.
Z He looked at me carefully through
: the latticed window, then jumps
!. down from the high chair and cam
a outside to clasp me by the hand.
I Good heavens, leftenant" he e.
e claimed. as he pumped my hand u
g and down, show did you ever &c
8 awayT and l had to sit right dow
8 and tell him and half a dozen othe
8 people in the bank all about my e.
k periences.
l. had been in England about fiv
:, days when I received a Telegram
y which, at first, occasioned me almof
- A.