McCudden - Aloof?

alex_revell · 21 December 2007, 01:40 AM

Dan,
I also met Paul and his wife a few times while they were in England, although not as many times as yourself. We had them to dinner and had a very memorable afternoon and evening, especially musical. I hadn't read Paul's diary at the time so I didn't ask him about McCudden's funeral. Yes, it seems to have been well attended, by his fellow pilots etc, but the organisation was poor and by accounts there appears to have been little ceremony. Richthofen had a full military pomp and circumstance funeral with the last post and a full squad firing a salute. Why not McCudden. You may well ask. Apart from his magnificent record he was, after all, a VC. Your guess is as good as mine. Personally I think it was a case of the old 'not of the officer class' thing. But that may be my personal predjudice and distaste of the class system then prevalent in England.
Merry Chistmas.
John, thanks for your wishes. Mine to you also. Looking forward to seeing that completed SE5a. Looks great.

Yeoman · 21 December 2007, 02:48 AM

Alex,
I think your observations are correct.
It has always struck me that McCuddens funeral was treated almost like an 'inconvenience' as if the officer class was burying one of the 'staff'.

The fact that Richtofen was given a lavish send off by comparison seems to just rub salt in the wound, and it is easy to see the anger of the other pilots.

Another aspect worth considering would be would McCudden have wanted all that pomp anyway?

alex_revell · 21 December 2007, 07:18 AM

Yeoman,
I think McCudden would not have been displeased with a little more 'pomp'. He would have seen it as a respect due to him and his achiements. He was very proud of his medals, not for any vainglorious reason, but because they represented to him the recognition of his worth in his chosen career - that of a regular soldier.

Dan_San_Abbott · 21 December 2007, 01:09 PM

Alex Revell:
When Patti and I first met with Paul and Ruth, we were having lunch at the Carmel Yatch Club resturant, Paul had left the table for a minute or two, while he was gone, Ruth asked me not to ask any questions about his brother Alan. She said he was still distressed over his death. She told me that Alan blamed the German Doctor for the unnecessary amputation of his arm. Further she said, that Alan was very depressed over it. Paul and Ruth were very good friends to Patti and I, they did not have any children, and they more or less adopted us. After Paul 's death, we continued to see Ruth regularly. One our visits, Ruth took us the Rachket Club for lunch, on the way, she said that Gloria, Alexander and Nicky would be having lunch with us. At our table was Nicky Firestone, the Ambassador to Belgium, Alexander Haig, Gloria Swanson daughter, and pro tennis player. Alexander Haig controlled the conversation, talking to the tennis pro about his game. I had hoped we might get some inside scoop on Washington. It was still very interesting.
Paul was diabetic, and their cook had learned to prepared tasteful diabetic dishes for Paul. As a result she wrote a Diabetic Cookbook. Ruth gave a copy to Patti, it turned out that years later I became diabetic and the cookbook helped Patti.
I had Paul's Diaries for some time, Paul wanted me to read them?? After Paul's death Ruth wanted me to keep the diaries, I did not want them, Ruth told me later, that hers nephews wanted them, so, it was just as well.
They were a wonder couple, and Patti and I miss them both.
Merry Christmas, Alex to you and your Family.
Dan-San

alex_revell · 22 December 2007, 02:05 AM

Dan,
Yes, they certainly were great people. When they came to dinner with us I asked Paul about the Wish Fish song, which he used to sing in 56 Sqdn. Another pilot had told me about it. Paul went to our piano and, I think with Ruth acompanying him, sang the Wish Fish song for us. Later over dinner, Paul said that he and Ruth spent the evening after their wedding having dinner at Riesenweber's restaurant in New York in 1917 and listened to the Original Dixieland Jazz Band, which was all the rage at the time. I didn't say anything, just got up from the table and put on an LP of the ODJB for the rest of the meal. Paul was delighted - and astonished.
Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Alex

ceaserhull · 1 January 2008, 08:32 AM

Interesting observation - have read book number of times, but not noticed this aspect of it? Still remains a great read - clealry showing what an exceptional pilot/aviator McCudden was.