Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-11-28

Oct. 81, 1918.
Received your letter and snapshots
and was very glad to get them. BY
all means send snapshots whenever
you can. They are all we have
on this side to help US remem-
her home and the way Maine looks.
Speaking Of Maine reminds me that
have met two boys over here who
went to M. c. L the same time went
to Westbrook Seminary. Their names
are Dwelley, who comes from near
Calais and Bartlett who comes from
Thorndike. You ought to know, or at
least know Of Bartlett as he lives SO
near you. 1t seems strange that
after surviving the sandstorns and
heat of Kelly Field we should come
way over here to England to become
acquainted. I suppose you are inter-
ested to know what this country looks
like. I will try and describe it to the
best of my ability. To begin with the
climate is rotten. The surface Of the
land is not as rugged as Maine. There
is a sort Of cultivated beauty about
the place, the plaster houses with
their straw matched roofs, the broad
level roads lined on both sides with
hedges and the level fields surround
ed by hedges blend into pretty pic
ture. Everywhere here the hedges
take the place Of fences and stone
walls. Looking down upon this scene
from an aeroplane it reminds one OF
a miniature country in a store win
dow. I believe it is this rustic peace
full atmosphere that has played an
important part in England's lack of
progress. To make improvements
would mean to destroy most Of this
and England could not think of such
Il thing. In spite of this to me the
United States and particularly Maine
with its wild beauty, something of
which England cannot boast, is far
more attractive. The railroads are
very much different than ours and
are not as comfortable to ride in.
They are typical OF all European
roads. In the cities one finds more
life although city the same size in
the L. S. would soon lose it for real
excitement. I will just mention a
little about a trip in the air. Bart
various types OF machines to test the
motors. He is working on the en-
sines and as motor does not run
the same at a high altitude as on the
ground he often gets what is known
as test flight. He says looping the
loop and nose dives are all right but
il there was no war he would prefer
to stay on the ground. Duty takes us
10 many places where we have no de-
sire to go For my part | have only
been up twice. Both trips l made
with several other chaps, musicians
with their instruments, and played in
the air. 1t must have puzzled the
simple country folk to hear a band
concert coming from the air. Yhe
wind was SO strong it nearly blew my
trombone from my hands. AS We
were up over two thousand feet 1 am
afraid if it had it would have been
unserviceable when it reached the
ground. The newspapers here, as
near as l can describe them. are
about like the Winthrop Budget and
the Waldo County Herald. only l be-
lieve John Stanley and Hanson can
put out better paper at that.
You say that because of your health
YOU must give up school and work on
the farm. Do not feel bad about It.
Here in England there are hundreds
Of girls doing that work in place of
the men who have gone to the front
and they are very cheerful about
their lot. They are known as the
Womans Army Auxiliary Corps, w.
A. y. c. There is a little joke about
it. The question is-What is better
than a slap in the face? Answer:
w. A. A. c. English pronunciation
of whacr) on the knee. 1t is quite
often you find one on a Yank's knee
for they are very popular with the
w. A. A. C's. They are making ready
to close the Y. NJ. G. A. for night so
must close and get out. You may feel
assured that both Bartlett and I wish
we were back in the old Pine Tree
State of Maine tonight.
From your cousin,
HAROLD.
Harold A. Wiggin, ST. Aero Squadron