Diary of unknown US flyer in RFC 85 Squadron

While going through some of my Grandfather's things, I recently found a copy of a typewritten transcript of diary of an anonymous US Navy flyer who was assigned to the RFC for training in October, 1917. According to the diary, the author served under Bishop, Mannock, and Crowe in the 85th Squadron until his capture by Germans in August, 1919. The copy of the diary was probably acquired by my grandfather during the 1950's. The diary is missing the title page, and the name of the author is not given. I'm trying to identify the author, if it's not all fiction. Here are some major points from the diary. The author took flight school in the US under a Major Kraft. A group of US flyers were scheduled to go to Italy, but due to orders were shipped to England to train with the RFC. They were first put up at Christ Church College, went to various training sites in England, and completed flight training at a place called Hounslow. While in England he roomed and went through schooling with the following, presumed to be from the US. "Slim" Ellis, "Cal" Callahan, and Jim Stokes. According to the diary, their schedule provided numerous opportunities for recreation. The eventually made friends with Major Bishop, and worked their way into a new squadron he was forming. This started out as the 65th Wing, assigned to the 5th Brigade. The 19 planes left for Dunkirk on May 25, 1918. In June, the group moved to St. Omer, and sometime became the 85th. During normal flights, the author flew in a six plane formation lead by "******" Horn (an Australian?) with Ellis, Callahan, MacGregor, and Thompson. He gives fairly detailed accounts of a number of flights, as well as recounts of the deaths of numerous comrades, including Mannock and McCudden. If anyone has a clue as to the identity of the author, or suggested references, I would appreciate your emailing me at [email protected]. I am attempting to digitize the diary for reference, but many of the pages are too fadded to convert on my system. If you are interested in the text, let me know as well. Thanks, Tom Watson PS I'm also trying to track down information on Captain Richard Henry Claeys of the USAAF and possibly the RAF. He served in WWII, and was flying a C-47 that was shot down over Yugoslavia in 1946. He is my brother's namesake.

Unknown Aviator: John Grider. Aauthor: Elliot White Springs. Published 1926 by Grosset & Dunlap.
I dunno how it got typed up, but you can buy actual copies of the book on the internet used book searches.

He says this is by a Naval Aviator. Grider was not a swabbie!
Steve

Ten minutes after I posted the forum message, I found the reference to Elliot White Springs' book on the Aerodrome site. I will be picking up a copy from our local library on Friday, but it's listed as 177 pages, and the manuscript I found is only 65 pages. Once I get the library's copy, I'll compare notes and let you all know. Thanks for the quick responses. The site is awesome.

There were some navy guys in with this group as I remember that at least one was killed in a training accident. Can't remember if I read that in 'UNKNOWN" or the new book about the 95th.
Regards,
Steve

Steve, It was Grider. Copyrights used to only run 17 years. Somebody figured it was in the public domain and they would claim it, especially by changing a few insignificant feautres. Nr. 85 Squadron RFC had nothing to do with swabbies.

This is a flagrant case of plagiarism, pure and simple. Grider, Springs and Callahan. You, as en expert in E.W.S. writing should have identified it right off.

Chalk one up for Spectator. I got a copy of "War Birds, The Diary of an Unknown Aviator" from our public library, and the manuscript is word for word the same, except for substituting "Slim Ellis" for "Elliot Spring". My thanks and compliments for solving our little mystery.

Now can any of you move ahead 25 years and help me track down Richard Henry Claeys? I've got his serial number, but his service records in the USAAF were burned in a fire in 1973. Arlington National Cemetery confirmed my father's recollection that he was shot down over Bled, Yugoslavia in 1946. My mom thinks he flew first for the RAF or RCAF, then with the USAAF. I know that the Aerodrome is a WWI site, and Cleays flew in "the Big One", but your help would be greatly appreciated.

With best regards to all,
Tom