From many years of reading, as we all do, the well known classics of WW1 aviation, I noticed a book often quoted in the bibliography section. This was ‘An Airman’s Wife’ by Aimee McHardy. I was desirous of reading it but it never came my way until Vol.36 of Cross & Cockade said that Grub Street had reprinted it and Barry Marsden had provided an introduction and annotation.
I acquired a copy and have just finished it.
I hope George Miller of C & C, who reviewed it, will forgive me for quoting from his excellent summation.
“This was published in 1918, hailed as a classic, and then disappeared. Barry Marsden rediscovered it, and this edition has the benefit of his introduction and notes. The airman is Captain William Arthur Bond MC* and the book is a collection of his letters to his wife, fleshed out by her thoughts and description of daily life at home in wartime. He served in 40 Squadron and was killed by anti aircraft fire on 22nd July 1917, having downed seven aircraft………..His letters from the Front are very interesting and informative. This is a love story and I must be very sentimental because I adored it.”
You would certainly have to have a heart of stone not to be moved when the telegram arrives to tell his parents of the news of his death and they have to telephone his wife.
The book forms a trilogy with
Ira Jones ‘King of Air Fighters’ (Mannock) he quotes from it and ‘Fighter Pilot’’ by McScotch who was an eyewitness to Bond’s death.
I have some reservations about the book, principally relating to Aimee but would be interested to hear the opinions of others; especially those of female members who may have read it.