Michael D.Heath-Caldwell M.Arch.

1918

General Frederick Heath-Caldwell CB aged 58/59.

Constance M.H. Heath-Caldwell aged 48/49

Cuthbert Eden Heath OBE aged 57/58

Sarah Heath aged 57/58

Admiral Sir Herbert Heath KCB, MVO, etc aged 56/56

General Sir Gerard M. Heath KCMG, 53/54

Lt Cmdr Cuthert H. Heath-Caldwell DSO aged 27/28

Violet Heath-Caldwell (ne Palmer) aged 31/32

Vice-Admiral Alexander Palmer ADC,DSO, OBE, RN aged 37/38

Leopold C. Heath (Griggs) aged 22/23

Genesta Heath – aged 18/19

Madeline Marion de Salis (ne Heath) aged 24/25

Rosamond Heath (Posy) aged 23/24

Diary of Genesta Heath - aged 18

14th January 1918

Some time ago Dot and I settled to go away to Southsea for a fortnight and today I was to pick her up. But this morning I woke to find five inches of snow on the ground and everyone in varying tempers. The boys sent me off amid snowballs and cheers and I started out feeling that a holiday had really begun. Then the car hesitated, skidded on its hind legs, swerved, stopped and backed cleverly into a ditch. The hillwas very steep,it is true - still, we were only about ten yards off the top, so it was all the more annoying. I left the chauffeur to his own devices and started to walk. The mud and ruts in the road were frozen hard and covered with snow, so walked was a cold, hard, slippery job; bit I enjoyed the whole thing. Reached Rowledge House at last; Dot and I sat over a fire, having missed the first train, and waited for the taxi to take us on to the next one. A fatigue party of patients pushed the car up the hill, and it arrived in time to get us to the station, where we waited three-quarters of an hour for the train. Reached London an hour late, found every comfort ready for us at Portman Square, and sank into a paradise of clothes.

15th January 1918 - Portsmouth

We both lazed most of the morning. Mother had a glorious store of lovely things for us. Had a long journey, and failed to get tea despite the efforts of a nice soldier. At Portsmouth we drove in an old shandradan of a cab to our hotel. It is on the seafront and our room, large and pretty, is quite delightful.

17th January 1918 - Portsmouth

With some difficulty we arose in time to get to Government House for lunch with Uncle Fred and Aunt Connie. The attractions of our room are so numerous and varied, that dressing takes a couple of hours. From our beds we can watch ships of war going out and coming in: torpedo boats, destroyers, dredgers, submarines, armed trawlers and some queer little fellows that beside the othes look like toy boats, which go about in strings of five or six at a time. Next day Uncle Fred caem to tea in our room and told us about each ship as she passed, and about the three forts - Horsesands, Nomans and Spitabout. The boom stretches from here to the Isle of Wight with just one gap, guarded by two ships.Presently the searchlights came on, and their effect on the water was indescribably lovely. The shaft of light lies on the sea in a streak and the waves gleam a vivid silver - not the soft white it is in the moonlight, but dancing, dazzling, bright silver, leaping and running along like a fiery sword. Then the seachlights went up and up until they were pointing straight into the sky. Suddenly they went out, and then there was nothing to be seen except the few points of light in the ships.

20th January 1918 - Portsmouth

Today we went all over the dockyard which was very muddy. One of the submarines we saw was covered in rust - she had been submerged for a long time. And there were a lot of tiny chaser tanks, called Whippets, which have done good work. They can do 10 miles per hour, and of course it is hopeless for an enemy to think he can run away from them, or have any effect on them with a rifle. There was also a brand-new US ambulance train and a wonderful new ship that contained a piece of the old "Revenge"which fought the Spanish fleet, and was named after her. The dockyard is just a like a little world - a very important little world - by itself.

21st January 1918 - Portsmouth

Today we waited from 6am until 12 noon for the guns at the castle to go off. Many unusual (to us) things happened. We saw the target towed out and soldiers come from the castle. We saw several submarines and the seven faithful 'fleas,' tiny boats jumping about in the wash of the bigger ships; we saw the men  round the guns, the soldiers returned to the fort and still nothing happened. So we thought no more about it - which, of course, was the quickest way of starting them. We leaped! The guns were very big and everything rocked each time they fired their 15 rounds. Outside, we saw several shattered windows.

26th January 1918 - Portsmouth

We went this morning to the wharf, where the first boat to come in was D25, She dogs our footsteps - wherever we go, there she is. She was moored outside the Isle of Wight yesterday, where we went and she is always the first ship we see. Her wash foamed up against the sea wall and splashed us, as though in greeting.

27th January 1918 - Portsmouth

Garrison church, after which we went to the Bastion. Aunt Con and I were armed with a note from my uncle We were let in and two officers showed us over - everything is painted in camouflage. White we were there, a formation of five aeroplanes came over us, very low and fast. They came straight for us and buzzede like angry wasps. The four front ones passed over us but the fifth was some way behind. She was flying quite low and suddenly turned right over, twice, without stopping, not head over heals but wing over wing. The plane shut off her engines and dived still lower, almost onto the sea, then shot up again. It was lovely to watch.


Video of Gt Grandpa reviewing new RAF cadets at Saint Leonards-on-Sea, England, March 1918. From the Imperial War Museum archives.

Gt Grandpa General F.C. Heath-Caldwell CB hand out medals at a rather formal ceremony. England. Image from the Imperial War Museum.

Gt Grandpa awarding medals to RAF personel. Image from the Imperial War Museum. Looks like the photograph was taken at the same ceremony as the above photo.

 Diary of Genesta Heath continues 

16th March 1918 - Holmwood

Came back to the Hill, where I am now a VAD nurse. My cousin Dick Crofton appeared, very brown and fit, but thin. He is in the Royal Horse Artillery, with the Chestnut Troop - the 'Golden Beauties,' they are called. He and I went to Anstie Grange, where six of us staff go every Wednesday for Red Cross lectures. After the lecture Dick and I went for a ride. Oh, the desolation of the wood! The Duke's Warren has gone, so has half the Redlands, and the birch plantation along the sandy bit is comepletely swept away [the timber was used in the trenches].

19th March 1918 - Holmwood

More thrills. A lad in the hut has developed a rash. Hut isolated. Commandant comes. I am ordered to London. I protest - no good.

20th March 1918 - London

Today went to the Grafton Galleries to see the war photographs, which are extremely upsetting because there were taken on the battlefields. Such sad screne - we hate wars but they are forced upon usby our jealous neighbours. One German general once said, after seeing London, 'A fine city. I would like to sack it.' Barbarian.The German offensive has started. It is going to be more terrible than anything before.

23rd March 1918 - London

We have retreated quite a bit. Captain Martin, a friend of Mother's, came in. He is cheering about the fighting. Dick Crofton turned up to say au revoir. His leave is not up yet, but he is going back at once.
24th March 1918 - LondonWe are still retreating - back to the Somme; all those lives lost taking this territory in the first place - for nothing. Uncle Herbert, who is now Second Sea Lord, came after tea. He was quite cheerful, despite the news.

25th March 1918 - London

The fighting it terrible - endless slaughter on both sides, but mostly theirs. Uncle Fred, who has left Portsmouth so that a man from the front can take his place and have a rest, is now in charge of the Royal Air Corps, his new amalgamation of the Royal Naval Air Service and the Royal Flying Corps. He began his mammoth task with only one ADC. Later he was given several more men, but got no recognition. He said to me rather sadly, when his two brothers were knighted, 'Theyve forgotten about me!'

1st April 1918

RAF commands formed between 1918-1919.

No.1 Area - HQ Covent Garden Hotel, WC2;

then 4 Thurloe Place, Kensington, London SW7,

command by Major-General F.C. Heath-Caldwell

8th May 1918 Renamed South-Easter n Area, RAF. 

Memorandum.

From M.S. la. (2), War Office, London, S.W.1 to:-

General Headquarters,

Home Forces,

Horse Guards,

3rd April 1918. 

Refs 350g M.S.la.(2)

Approval given to the appointment of Major-General F.C. Heath-Caldwell, C.B., Commander, Portsmouth Garrison, to command one of the Royal Air Force Areas under the Air Ministry with effect from the 1st April 1918.

Inform accordingly,(signed) J. M. Campbell,

Lt-Col. for Lieutenant-General,

Military Secretary,

100/Gen.No./4697

C.R. S.C. No: 235317 (S).Garrison Commander, Portsmouth 

For your information and favour of communication.

R.F.C. Ihlienian Capt Salisbury,

8th April 1918.

A.M.S. Southern Command.

Major General F.C. Heath-Caldwell C.B. - For your information and education please.

Portsmouth

7th April 1918

letter

To Major-General F.C. Heath-Caldwell C.B.

from Farnham Castle,

Surrey,

10th April 1918

My dear General,

I write on behalf of Mrs Talbot and myself, and I think Mr Lightfoot would like me to include him by a word, to express the great regret, personal and other, which we feel at the news that Mrs Heath-Caldwell and yourself have left us, not, I suppose, to return.

My recollections of your hospitality to myself are so green and grateful that it is quite sad to think of Government House without you.

But, beyond this, I know at second hand how much you have done to help what is good and wholesome in the life of Portsmouth, a place which depends a good deal upon those who hold temporary postitions of authority in the Services.I hope that life may bring us together again; for I know that we have real links with one another.

Yours very sincerely, 

Edward Winton

Letter to Major-General F.C. Heath-Caldwell C.B.,

Portsmouth Garrison. 

G.H.Q. Home Forces,Horse Guards, S.W.1.

21st April 1918

Dear General,

The Field Marshal has asked me to write and express to you personally how much he has appreciated your work during your period of command. It is always a matter of personal regret to him to lose the services of an Officer who has done good work whilst  under his command, and he feels confident that even if military employment is not available you will find other means of rendering useful service to the country.

He would be extremely sorry to lose touch with you, and I am to ask you to let me know what your permanent addresss will now be, so that if at any future time it were possible to make use of your services I should know where to write.

Believe me,

Yours sincerely

S.L Barry,

Lieutenant-Colonel, Assistant Military Secretary,

HOME FORCES.(Ed, might be Lt-Col. S.L. Barry D.S.O. M.C.,)

Diary of Genesta Heath continues.

15th May 1918 - Southsea

.Mother and I are in Southsea. So much has happened since I last wrote. I developed a septic arm from a small area of chapped skin I had on my hand, and which I had touched with a dressing. I had to have an operation, then we went to Anstie for me to convalesce. They had a tennis tournament there, which made them very happy. The garden is exquisite this spring, and I never saw so many wild flowers as there are this year. Mother and I went to see the Pageant of Freedom. It was very beautiful: the colours of all our Allies were waved on the stage, and Clara Butt was magnificent as Great Britain. I am still not allowed to work and this idleness frets me.

16th May 1918 - Southsea

Yesterday to tea with Mrs Nelson-Ward who has the most enchanting little old house - a gem, and so beautifully done up. The family are descended from Nelson's daughter, Horatia, whose mother was the beautiful Emma Hamilton,. Mrs Nelson-Ward has a harp which once belonged to Emma Hamilton; she plays and sings charmingly.Today we had lunch with Admiral Nelson-Ward at the old George Inn, where Nelson slept his last night ashore. Mother and Dolly went to Haslar Naval Hospital, which has not enough nurses to help the sailors, I spent a happy afternoon with the harp [Much later mother sent me the harp in Kenya where it was damaged by the sun. I gave it to the British Museum.]Mrs Nelson-Ward - the Hon. Dorothy CaulfieldAdmiral Phillip Nelson-Ward was working with North Atlantic convoys at this stage and actively involved with welfare of Merchant Navy personnel.

18th May 1918 - Isle of Wigh

tIsle of Wight. Father and I went out in a boat this morning; there is a half-mile limit all round. Round the corner is a wreck, the War Knight; she was sunk on only her second voyage.SS War Knight - 8,000 ton armed steamer.Carrying oil from the US, collided with O.B. Jennings.

21st May 1918 - Isle of Wight

We went to watch the divers at work on War Knight, and then to Carisbrooke after lunch. A splendid old place, a good deal of it is in ruin. We saw the famous donkey which treads the wheel for the old well. They say that the single war economy for the Isle of Wight is to have one donkey instead of two!

24th May 1918 - Isle of Wight

I have heard more about War Knight. The fishermen say that she was run into by an oil tanker, and she herself was carrying several barrels of oil. Both ships caught fire, and War Knight flamed like a sheet of lightning right up the mast; the crew could not escape.[11 of 47 crew survived the sinking but some died of wounds later]

25th May 1918 - Isle of Wigh

tPat Brooke died a year ago today.

26th May 1918 - Isle of Wight

On the water in the morning and again, having nothing better to do, in the afternoon. It is delicious in the evening, warm and still; everything smells sweet and the moon on the sea exquisite. And then you see War Knight and think of the war, and the men we've lost.We 'did' Carisbrooke thoroughly and I had a look at the musuem, which contains a lot of Stewart relics. Princess Elizabeth, daughter of King Charles I, died here, and not even her room was respected by the utterly contemptible trippers who write their insignificant names all over these sacred walls! The place ought to be shut until people can behave and I doubt that will ever be, for democracy is not improving the nation's manners.

28th May 1918  

Captain Martin had to go and inspect an Electric Light School. He is so alarming with his one leg - hops down steps on it, and is very agile. We went to the aerodrome from where he was to start, and when the 'bus' arrived, the pilot got out and came to us - such a child, full of technical slang! We shall miss Captain Martin - he is fun.Dick (Crofton) is now in France, doing very well: captain and MC, still with the Chestnut Troop. My cousin Billy Heath is with him. He has been awarded the DSO, but of course won't say why.

10th July 1918 - London

We saw the Zouaves march past. They were imposing, very brown and war-scarred, splendid-looking troops, not quite youthful. The crowd forgot to be British and cheered madly.

12th July 1918 - London

We heard the Zouaves band play a requiem service in Westminster Cathedral today. It was very impressive. Crowds of candles and clouds of incense. A huge catafalque below the altar, draped with black and gold brocade, and covered with the French flag, six tall candles around it. The Zouaves stood motionless the whole service through, with the p'tit officier facing them. There was much singing and finally their band played the 'Sambre et Meuse,' a lovely, strange and haunting air. We pursued them when the service was over, caught up with them and cheered vociferously. 

9th August 1918 -London to Aberdeen, Scotland train.

We are going to Scotland. Our train left Kings X and we said farewell to Bessie, who after twelve years of faithful service, is leaving us to drive an ambulance. We shall miss her sunny hair and apple cheeks. Dulcie Hore and I shared a compartment, and Griggs joined us at Grantham and slept on the floor of father's and mother's carriage. It was a beautiful journey, grey and soft. I could hardly bear to go to sleep, it was so lovely to look at.

10th August 1918 - Aberdeen

We arrived at Aberdeen and after breakfast Griggs and I went for a walk and reached Market Square. The women were plaids over their heads. We cme on to the Huntly Arms at Aboyne where we have got a sitting room and five bedrooms. Retriever Rex and spaniel Raven are with us. Raven is highly strung and very shy, but she has recovered from the journey and is now quite light-hearted.

11th August 1918 - Aberdeen

Uncle Herbert arrived breezily in a smart naval car. Some of the ladies here find him attractive, which is not surprising.

14th August 1918 - Aboyne, nr Aberdeen

There are six of us here and the men go off each day to shoot and fish. The game is getting the best of it - luckily we do not depend for our daily food on the contents of the game bag! Dulcie and I got for walks and today, on the way up Birsemohr Hill, we found Birsemohr Lock, a gem of a place with tall reeds growing at one end and a small island in the middle; then it stretches right away to the slope of the hill where fir trees and heather, growing up to the edge, are reflected in it.

17th August 1918 - Aboyne, nr Aberdeen

Started out on my tubby piebald pony to Lumphanan, with the car following. Left the shooters, wandered up the hill, sat down comfortably with my back to a stone and, obeying Cameron's [the keeper] instructions, admired the view. It was admirable too. All these lovely hills, rising one behind the other for miles, and Lochnagar's three peaks lifting above them with clouds hanging halfway down it and the sun on its crest. Sun and shade alternating on the nearer hills.

20th August 1918 - Aboyne?

One day we drove to Tarland to find the Coulsh, which was once the home of a Pictish chief. Since this is Scotland it is hard to find - no direction boards, no entrance fee, no uniformed guardian, no crowd of curious and irreverent trippers, no electric light, just a farm and a small boy with a shock of red hair and a candle. The entrance is a small hole in the grass, built up with stones and that is where the boy and the candle come in. There is a fairly long, low passage which suddenly gets tall enough to stand upright in, adn at the end is a dome about eight feet high. I wondered how this chief lived, how he died, how many wives he had and how many people he killed. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tarland - Culsh at Tarlandhttp://www.stone-circles.org.uk/stone/culsh.htm - the Culsh

I stayed the night at Corsee and that evening we went to the town hall to watch the dancing. All the lassies flocked in at the beginning, when there were thirty-six girls and two men, but more males gradually arrived. They danced Scottish dances, and it really was striking to see how all these girls and men in ordinary blouses and skirts, jackets and trousers, with never a kilt among them (except the soldiers), nor a plaid, could dance every native dance so stylishly. They had eightsomes and foursomes, Schottisches, and something called the Circassian Circle, and they dance them all perfectly.


28^th August 1918

Reported in “Flight” magazine 5^th Sept 1918

Unfortunately the weather was very “patchy on August 28^th, when the R.A.F. Wireless Experimental Establishment held their sports in Kent, but the programme was nevertheless carried through successfully, and there should be a substantial sum to hand over to R.A.F. charities.

In the 100 yards scratch race the winner was Corporal Beck, with Sergeant Coates second, and in the one mile Air-Mech. Firby won, with Air Mech. Ghiradi second.

In the 220 yards race the result was the same as in the 100 yards event – Corporal Beck winning, with Sergeant Coates second.

In the officers 100 yards open event Lieutenant Adams was first, with Major Garden second.

There were a number of closed events as well as several of a novel order, which kept the large crowd of spectators interested and amused until Mrs Heath-Caldwell presented the prizes at 7.30pm.

After that the open air concert was given, and dancing was carried on until 10p.m.

Looks like photo of FCHC on top right of photos.

Diary of Genesta Heath continues

8th September 1918 - Aboyne

Matthew, the pony boy, told me a very sad story, news of which reached Aboyne two days ago. A shepherd on Cloch-na-ben Hill came upon a wrecked aeroplane with the body of the aviator pinned beneath it, dead. They say he came from Montrose, where, according to Matthew, thirteen spies have been caught. Petrol tanks in planes have been pierced, so while they are flying the fuel is leaking away.

12th September 1918 - Aboyne

The news today from Russia is terrible. The Tsar has been murdured in a cellar, with the poor little Tsarevish. And now they say that the Tsarina and her four daughters were murdured with him. Of course no news comes direct, but this is as authentic as any news from Russia can be nowadays. It is horrible to think of those lovely girls killed in that way;they were so young and so beautiful. They and their mother were nursing in the war. Petrograd is said to be in flames in many places, and massacres are going on in the streets. A few days ago the Bolsheviks murdured Captain Cromie, the British Naval Attache there as he stood on the steps of our Embassy. The mob is mad for blood, Russia is in chaos.

Letter to:-

Major-General F.C. Heath-Caldwell, C.B.G.O.C.,

South Eastern Area,R.A.F.,

Covent Garden Hotel, W.C.2.

16th September 1918

Dear General Heath-Caldwell,

When, following on the constitution of the Royal Air Force, the Area system was established, it was considered necessary, owing to the notorious shortage of senior officers, to make application to the Navy and Army for the loan of certain officers, of whom you were one, to take command of the Areas.

The contemplated period of loan in your case was 6 months, which is due to expire at the end of September. 

I am fully conscious of the valuable services which you have rendered during this initial period, which has naturally been on of considerable difficulty, but I trust you will appreciate my desire that the position of Area Commander should, as far as possible, be filled by officers of the R.A.F., and in particular, by officers who have had actual active service experience.

I think that our aim should be to bring to the Areas as soon as possible men who have  been in direct touch with the problems presented by air fighting as it is carried on today. In these circumstances I think it will be desirable that you should revert to the Army at the end of the period arranged, and I am so informing the War Office.

At the same time I am expressing to the War Office my sense of appreciation of the help which you have given to the Royal Air Force, and I take this opportunity of expressing to you my own personal thanks for the services which you have rendered.

As it may prove difficult to recall officers from the Front until the end of the fighting season, it will be of great convenience if you will be prepared to carry on your present duties for a few weeks after the end of the month, but in this matter I am entirely in your hands.

Yours very truly,

(signed) Win

Diary of Genesta Heath continues

24th September 1918 - Aboyne

A very high wind, but I wandered down to the river Dee for the last time. While I was there I saw some cows walking along the opposite bank, threading their way through the trees, imperturbably (cows do everything that way) fo9llowed by an elkhound and a pretty girl with her hair down her back and her arms bare, wearing a blue frock. The dog sat on a rock and watched the river for a while, every now and then looking over his shoulder to see if the girl was all right. She tried to shoo away some stray cows which had joined her lot; he instantly dashed to help her and fiercely barked them away. It was a very pretty sight - the beautiful cows, the little brown farm girl, the protective dog and the grey Dee. The river was very grey and very swift as there has been a lot of rain. I am sorry to leave this place - it has been such a good leave. here. Anstie pantry where I get back. 

26th September 1918 - Anstie Grange, Holmwood

Got back rather weary. Monsieur Aahl, the Norwegian Secretary, came to dinner. He is politely seeing the last of Litvinoff, the Bolshevik - I suppose there is no other word for it - 'Ambassador' here, who is being sent back to his own country (the best place for him) in return for British subjects detained in Russia. Litvinoff is apparently quite young and seems rather harmless. But I don't like or trust any Russians, except the unhappy, exiled 'gentry.'

[Maxim Litvinov - 1876-1951]

30th September 1918 - Anstie Grange, Holmwood

So here I am, back in the pantry and very happy to be here. It now consists of Mrs Kenny, Miss Dames, me, Miss Calvert and Miss Plat. It's a case of being in at the death of the war!

3rd October 1918 - Anstie Grange, Holmwood

Bad luck haunts me. The doc says hospital air doesnt suit me and that I am to leave tomorrow by the 9.45 train!I've just been here long enough to hear of the deaths of two of our old patients - such charming boys. One is Mr Cobden. He was discharged from the army, joined the Flying Corps and was killed in France on 21s June.The other is Mr Smith, an Australian who was wounded in the leg - he nearly died of a haemorrhage one night. I remember he said to me one teatime when I was taking up the tray: 'I know you love your horses, Miss Heath.' I said, 'I do - but how do you guess?''Oh, I saw you with one of them in the yard the other day and you were "loving" him!"I thought it the nicest thing He and I were quite good friends. And now he's dead.

8th November 1918 

The news is thrilling. Last night there were wild peace rumours, and we danced about and felt quite hysterical, and this evening I rang up Captain Martin and asked him. He could - or would - tell me nothing definite, but it's in the air. It will be through in a couple of days, and then...! Well, I hope we shall take it decently and not maffick about it. But it is utterly impossible to be calm after four years of this nightmare, the Victory! Next time I write in this book, I expect it will be IT.

9th November 1918 - Anstie Grange, Holmwood

Not yet, but very, very nearly. Foch met the German delegates, and they were so dumbfounded at his terms that they sent back a courier to Berlin to ask 'What can we do?" This evening Pat from the War Office rang me up to say that the Kaiser has abdicated. I said, "May I spread it?" He said 'Yes, go on,' and I fairly ran. I told it in the hall, in the kitchen, in the sister's room, in the office - Glory! And thank God.

11th November 1918 - Anstie Grange, Holmwood

It has come. Pat rang me up about 10.30,and said, 'Five o'clock this morning!''The Armistice?''Signed and delivered.'So at last, after four years, it is ended, finished. It is very hard to realize - it has been such a part of one's life. I can hardly remember pre-war days; it sounds ridiculous, seeing that I am nineteen now, but I have simply grown up into it. The telephone has been ringing all day. London has gone mad, of course - all the bells are ringing adn guns are firing. There are crowds everywhere, and throngs outside Buckingham Palace. I am going up tomorrow. The men a coming home before long. 

12th Novermber 1918 - London

What a day! Dot and I came to London by the early train, and Father met us at the station. We hurried out again as soon as we had reached home, and went to the Mall to see the royal procession from Buckingham Palace to St.Paul's for a service of thanks and remembrance. A thick crowd had gathered; everyone carried flags and looked absolutely happy. There was a thin cordon of police - we met Sir Montague Ommaney with Lady Ommaney, and he said: 'I know no other capital in the world where the King and Queen can go out with only eight mounted police for guard, and only police to line the streets!'

He got it absolutely right in saying that the loyalty here is unique and, I'm sure, lasting.

The procession was as simple as it could be. First came four mounted police, then a few equerries, next the royal carriage with the King, the Queen and Princess Mary. The cheering was glorious; above the heads of the crowd were flags and flags, waving madly. The King and Queen looked utterly happy, but Princess Mary was restrained - I expect she was near tears. I heard she went wild with joy when the news came through, and behaved, so Pat said, like a small schoolgirl.

It is wonderful when you realize that so many kings are losing their thrones - Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria and Russia have gone - yet our King is ours, firmer than ever on the throne, and beloved.

Trafalgar Square was wonderful! A seething mass of people, and flags - flags everywhere. Everyone cheering and shouting, drums, bugles and every sort of noisy instrument. People crammed up the steps of the monument, sone on the lion's backs, an improvised jazz band, soldiers and girls dancing in rows, linked arm-in-arm.

Big trolley buses went by, packed with men and women in khaki, cheering and waving their flags. We bought several for the house.

There has never been a war like this before, and the ending of it is wonderful. The Amistice terms have been astonishly stiff, and apart from that Germany is in a terrible state - the people starving, there is no food at all. President Wilson proposes to send them some.

Yet on the hill the other day I met Emerson the moss-gatherer, whose boy had been a prisoner there and escaped after seven attempts. While he was in Germany they tortured him; one of the things they did was to brand his legs with burning coke - he will carry the scars always. 'I could tell you other things, Miss,' said Emerson, 'but I won't, it wouldn't be right.' I wonder where the widows are. I have not seen any since I have been up. Now must be the most terrible time of all for them. 

13th Novermber 1918 - London

After lunch, to Chu Chin Chow for the fifth time. It was packed, and we could only get three seats in a box.

They brought in a new scene - the Allies, draped in the flags of their countries. First Belgium, then France, both were cheered terrifically, then America - storms of cheers (really America doesn't deserve so much as the others - they didn't come in for a long time), next Italy,  and finally having given us time to get out breath, Lily Brayton as Brittania. The house nearly came down!

They played 'Rule Britannia,' then we stood up and sang 'God Save the King,' then 'Land of Hope and Glory' - whcih is just what England is now. 

On the way home we stopped to see the exhibition of mechanical models. There are models of some of the torpedoed hospital ships, a lovely one of Italian scenery, a collection of war trophies, and a submarine that sinks - incidentally it sends up a lot of bubbles, which no submarine would think of doing - as well as an airship poised above a battlefield and an astounding German dugout, lined with concrete, and dug down several yards below the surface - all nice and dry, ready for our men when the chase began!

After dinner Father, Mother and I went down Oxford Street and Regent Street to Piccadilly Circus. The same mad crowds, processions every minute, always the countless flags, drums, bugles, dinner gongs. Girls draped in big Union Jacks, two passed us with one French flag round both of them, flags worn as caps. Soldiers with flags hanging out of every pocket, the weirdest dances, bands of cheerful sub-lieutenants, flocks of small street Arabs, and lorries crammed with people, with the luckiest one sitting on the bonnet.

Once we got into a ring of dancing, shouting Tommies - it was marvellous.Father, with due regard for his watch and his womenhood, put his weight against them, and they gave way happily, like so much elastic.The British crowd is usually so good-natured, but later on that night they tore the placards off captured German guns and made a bonfire in Piccadilly of them - that was not so bad, but the fools threw handfuls of live cartridges on them!

And in Trafalgar Square they burnt one of the guns, piled the wooden benches on it, and hurt the firemen, which is horrible. But on the whole they are behaving well, and it is only late at night that they run wild - probably on drink.

14th November 1918 - London

Spent the morning teaching Cuthbert to dance - he is not too bad. Mother and I lunched at Lyon's, which is terribly respectable! Then we went on to the Regent Palace Hotel (which was one of last night's sufferers - they smashed  an iron door) in search of my brother Griggs and his wife. After dinner we retired with them to a quiet place to talk, which was a bore as the grill room was very gay, with people dancing on the tables like Carmen and throwing bottles about like Englishmen!

15th November 1918 - Anstie Grange, Holmwood

London seems to be quietening down a little - they must be getting rather tired. Came to Anstie in the car, piled high with fireworks outside and wool and bandages inside. Not much room for us! A dance here this evening, and there was one man! Miss Gordon from the kitchen made me a good partner.

16th November 1918 - Anstie Grange, Holmwood

Hounds meet here at 11am; the hospital trooped out and stood in admiring rows. I rode Templar, the best hunter I have had. It was grand - the first time I have been out since the war, except once, cubbing. Cuthbert arrived for tea, and soon after we had the fireworks. They were lovely, and the whole village came down to see them. 

17th November 1918 - Anstie Grange, Holmwood

I went to church at Coldharbour. It was quite a nice service until the parson, Mr Denman, urged us to pray for the Kaiser! I was frozen stiff with horror and fury - how dar e he say such a thing! One doesn't pray for Satan!

Book

“The First Croydon Airport”- official opening of a YMCA Hut at the aerodrome in 1918“

In December, 1918, Princess Marie Louise visited the aerodrome to open a YMCA hut which had been built for the recreation of the airmen. Her car was accompanied as it arrived, by an aerial convoy  of a dozen planes “looping the loop” and performing other flying stunts - this despite a high wind and drizzling rain.

The Princess was greeted by YMCA workers and a contingent of the recently formed W.A.A.C. The opening ceremony was chaired by Major-General F.C. Heath-Caldwell (Commanding S.E. Area, Royal Air Force), and commenced with a short service conducted by the Rev. Charles Godfrey, vicar of St. Michael’s, South Beddington.

Various entertainments and events were held at this hut in which local people enthusiastically supported the R.A.F. - the parish magazine of St.Michael’s for January 1919, included an urgent appeal from a Miss Leaver at Kenmore, Woodcote Road, for more volunteers to help organise things. Mr Godfrey was offically appointed at Chaplain of the Aerodrome.The Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Air Service were combined as the Royal Air Force on 1st April 1918.

At the time of the Armistice, in November 1918, Beddington Aerodrome was still a busy training base. No.40 Squadron had moved to Tangmere, and had been replaced by No.29 Squadron. Among the young pilots who came to do their flying training with No.29 Squadron at Beddington in 1919, was Prince Albert, later King George VI, who won his wings here. His instructor was Captain Alec Coryton (now Air Chief Marshall Sir Alec Coryton).

Diary of Genesta Heath continues.

4th December 1918 -Anstie Grange, Holmwood

Poor Dot has got flu very badly; she is so weak and tired, which makes it worse. Her mother is with her, and I hope she will be better soon.

6th December 1918 - Anstie Grange, Holmwood

Dot has got pneumonia on the left lung, quite badly. Sister Dunbabin came over from the Hill to nurse her.

10th December 1918 - Anstie Grange, Holmwood

Dot has safely passed the crisis, and is on the mend.

12th December 1918 - London

Came to London in a hurry because Mrs Philpott seems to have got flu. I was joined by Mr Wallace (once of here) at Epsom. I saw him tearing down the platform and put a hand out of the window, so he got in and was very amusing and interesting. Also he carried my bag, which was a great blessing.

16th December 1918 - London

Blind Harry Crofton arrived last night. He and Father departed for France this morning; escorted by detectives, with the navy to see them safely on board at Folkestone, and the army to take them off the other side and carry them around. I think we may reasonably expect them safely home in three day's time.

17th December 1918 - London & Anstie Grange.

Mother and I went to Anstie for the day to say goodbye to everyone - the hospital is really coming to an end. I don't remember every having seen the view as lovely as it was today - a wonderful purple-blue right out to the Downs, and the sunset a burning red-gold.

19th December 1918

Heart trouble of last summer breaking out again. Small heart attacks, and I must stay in bed. So I missed seeing an ex-German U-boat, lunch at the Carlton and welcome to Haig, tea with Mrs St.Aubuyn, and a dance at the Hoptons.

20th December 1918 - Anstie Grange, Holmwood

Dulcie Hore and I came to Anstie Grange in the car, and I went straight to bed, I am in Mary's room on the top floor. There are now only six patients left, and about twenty staff all told. What will it be like when they are all gone?

23rd December 1918 - Anstie Grange, Holmwood

Mother came down. I am much better and got up today. I played the most scientific bridge tonight - the strong, silent sort, where you count cards, and do sums and refrain from talking about frocks or hunting, and pull your partner's play to pieces after each game.

25th December 1918 - Anstie Grange, Holmwood

Communion service at 6am - which meant getting up at five. I was able to go out first for a few minutes - it was exquisite. The clearest, deepest blue sky, enormous stars glittering like diamonds. A red splash low down in the east, prelude to the sunrise, and, almost straight overhead a silver-white moon. It was a perfect Christmas dawning.

After the service it was bath and bed again - wisely. Dressed for the second time, and worked all the morning decorating the hall and dining room for lunch, for which we were ten at one long table down the middle of the room. Two geese, Father and the doc at opposite ends of the table carving. Father made an excellent little speech, and we drank His Majesty's health and one another's, and then went into the hall and everyone hunted for presents.

At teatime I cut the cake - a marvellous three-decker with real icing sugar (a true luxury in these post-war days) on it - with Cock o' the North, my skean-dhu, which was slow work. Many games after and carol singing.

26th December 1918 - Anstie Grange, Holmwood

We all went to the Boxing Day meet at White Horse in Dorking. A very fine frosty morning, but the ground was hard. It was a pretty meet, and a big field for these times. I nearly wept at not being allowed to ride.

On the way back we stopped at the telephone office. Mother went in to compliment and thank the people there - they really have been splendid, working long hours and always helpful and polite. It was just the day for a long motor drive - but petrol is lacking. Hounds had a rather poor morning and a good afternoon, I heard. And for us, in the evening, bridge. Again. This is the hospital's last day.

27th December 1918 - Anstie Grange, Holmwood

Today Anstie Grange Hospital closed. It was too sad. The ambulance left at 2.30, and we tied their pet plum pudding mascot on the back with a piece of holly stuck in it. We said goodbye to them all and waved them out of sight to the last corner of the drive. It is horribly empty and big now. There is no one and not a sound anywhere; just half-filled ashtrays and a few books lying about.After two years and a quarter of a hundred noisy, cheerful people everywhere, to me it is as if some big thing has died, and left the place empty and silent.

[During the years Ansite was a hospital the Union Jack flew on the roof every day and was taken down at night. Many years alter Mother sent the flag to me in Kenya and we flew it on special occasions. I finally brought it to England and give it to Coldharbour Church, where it hangs above the war memerial to the men who died in Hitler's war - those from Coldharbour and from my family.]

Memorandum.

From M.S. la. (2), War Office, London, S.W.1 to:-

General Headquarters,

Home Forces,

Horse Guards,

3rd April 1918. 

Refs 350g M.S.la.(2)

Approval given to the appointment of Major-General F.C. Heath-Caldwell, C.B., Commander, Portsmouth Garrison, to command one of the Royal Air Force Areas under the Air Ministry with effect from the 1st April 1918.

Inform accordingly,(signed) J. M. Campbell,

Lt-Col. for Lieutenant-General,

Military Secretary,