Frederick Charles Pauline to Oliver William Pauline, 20 July 1918

[1]

Ward B4

2/1 South Gen. Hosp

Dudley Rd

Birmingham

19.7.18

Dear Oliver/

Your welcome letter of June 20^th received.

So Desmond was out home with Amy on his birthday; he must be a very bonny little chap from the snaps I have and the ones you sent.

Rather pleased in a way that the board let you out as it will give you a chance to pick up again without the extra heavy methods used in the Army.

Am pleased to hear that Mother keeps will; Dad must be a tough nut like myself pretty hard to crack.

They had another go at me on the operation table day before yesterday, I don’t think any good has been done

[2]

This time nevertheless it is one less to come. I was getting on pretty well, went out to Aunt Emmie’s place last Wednesday week they were very nice to me indeed.

There are several girls and boy in the family; one Grace is a very pretty girl, but last Sunday I started to go down hill again fast so they oper. On Tue Wed. I had Tom Johnson to see me on Tuesday it was Tuesday it was too bad if he had come a week before I could have gone out with him; he is at Purfleet in Essex. He looks the picture of health and as brown as a berry.

You mentioned about parcel and Sat Eve Post I think I got all the parcels alright.

[3]

But none of the posts have turned up. I should like to see one too. I tried to get one in B’ham the other day, but they say they all go to France now. You asked me how I got my ‘packet’. Well to cut a long story short I was starting a high powered French scout machine in a plowed field, when those that were supposed to be holding the plane back apparently had shell-shock; anyway you can guess what a propeller would do to you if a plane came striding into you. Not its no good me telling you any more or else you will imagine I was really hurt or something

[4]

OWP

Sat 20^th

Am sitting out on the balcony today and feeling a good deal better, hoping to be able to go to out again in a few days.

We had a terrible thunder-storm last week and a lot of rain since, but today has turned out quite summerlike again.

Would like very much to be home and we could go to Shawnigan together. By the way can you swim if not you must learn at once! Its very easy enough, jump overboard with a petrol tin on piece of wood for a float. Try it!

I will probably turn out alright bye and bye but it will be a fairish time

[5]

Before I get my original strength and weight of 190^th flat back again, in the meantime we might have a chance to pull up together.

The Allies seem to be bucking up again the last few days; all luck to them I hop we make them cry their hearts sore for mercy. Fritz with his Kaunerad

Well Jim will close for today as I have a bunch of letters to write. With kind love to Mother + Dad and regards to you Uncle

Your affectionate Brother

FC Pauline

November 28, 2019 0

Victor Paulin to his Aunt, 1918

Lt VR Pauline

No 91 Squadron

Chattis Hill

Stockbridge, Hants

Jany 17/18

Dear Aunty

I would have written you before, had I received your address sooner, but Mother sent it just the other day, so now I am going to try and make up for lost time. I should have paid more attention to my address book before leaving Victoria, but I did not have an awful lot of time, and Mother came out of the hospital the day before I left, then it was that I commenced to think about these things, when my book was finished no local addresses

were such at all, ~~~~~ ~~~~~ for England,

As she already mentioned, of ~~~ having about addresses at, I must tell you something about myself.

I ~~~~~ my arrival in London, and which given ~~~ and of course, ~~~~~much to day out ~~~~~

[cannot read the page- photo too blurry]

said is now taller than I am. I don’t expect I shall see George until I go to France but I keep in touch with him by letter, and last I heard he was “still going strong.”

I was on another plane leave last week and went up to B’ham to see Ben, who has a chunk of shrapnel in his hips, and also see Aunt Emmy, to say nothing of cousin “Hilda”, who is some “bird”. Grace and Renee are both married, so are not half so interesting.

Oh yea, I nearly forgot to tell you about Stockbridge, it is some “hole”, we are billeted in all the old houses, the one I am billeted in is called “Grosvenor House”, the name is

not too bad, but I wish I could say the same for the “residence.” We have to walk about 2 miles to the squadron over those lovely Roman roads, you know, the kind you read about. I expect it’s a good stunt to get us ready for France.

I have been to London several times now, and can manage to find my way about fairly well, also check up the taxi drivers if they short change me, like they used to.

Hoping to hear from you in the near future.

Best to Uncle and yourself,

Your affectionate nephew

Victor

October 27, 2019 0

Victor Paulin to Edith Nickells Paulin, 1918

Lt VR Pauline

C/o Ave David

Strand, AVC

London

Feby 15/18

Dear Mother

Your letter dated 8 Jany received, thank you very much for it. I think the letters you mention from Dad, Aunties and Bill have gone astray. I received letter and parcel from Aunty Nell, the helmet is absolutely posh, so are the writstlets, in the summer I shall wear the helmet as it is, but just now will wear my leather one over it, as it is mighty cold at 16000 ft.

As regards Birks and Mrs Mcallister, I received a New Year’s card from Macallisters, but Birks doesn’t

know enough, I expect. I had a letter from Jennie Redford (the young lady who is working in the bank) saying that Birks had shown her my picture, and telling me how nice it was, etc. He might write me a letter. I don’t know. I am not worrying much, however, I only sent him in the first place, in case he might think I was working in some munition works or something.

I haven’t heard from Ben, but had a letter from Hilda, saying that Ben spent the day with them and was going to Epsom the following Sunday. I haven’t the faintest idea where Epsom is so can’t give any

Particulars. About Toby. I would suggest having him where he is Milligan is perfectly willing as he should be, his own horse was about petered out when last I saw it. Would not write Parrie any more, heard Birks are pretty good friends, he might think you were bothering him unnecessarily.

I am at Queensbury still and as there is no flying today, owing to the weather, I am writing letters. It is only a matter of a day or so before I leave either for France, Ayr, or back to my squadron in Stockbridge. If Ayr I get a waks course in aerial fighting

If overseas I get 2 days leave and then go to a pool in France and wait for an opening in some squadron. And if Stockbridge I go with 91, as it is an overseas squadron. I would much prefer the latter, as I knoq all the staff, etc., and it would be much nicer than going amongst strangers. But I have got so now that “nothing makes me sick” so don’t worry in the least.

It certainly must have been some sensation when Robin Grays people got that cable that he was a prisoner in Germany.

I have got it all figured out if I get taken prisoner,

I will give a cheque to some German Red Cross Hospital, and immediately Cox & bo receive the cheque they will notify you- get me!

This may seem far fetched but it can be done. When one of the RDC are taken prisoner they never let it out if they can help it. I expect they think it has a bad affect on his pals. But they’re wrong.

I think I will cable my address when I get it, so don’t be alarmed if you receive one. The trouble is you might receive it before this letter,

but if I go to Stockbridge I might not go to France for another month. So don’t worry whether you receive a cable or not.

I received a letter from Nancy thanking me for photos, I expect some of the others will take a jump to themselves soon. Aunty Nell, and Nancy are the only apparent recipients at present. I think Ruby is sore with me because I never went to see her, but spent all my time in B’ham. Hilda mentioned having met her, and told me how nice she was etc., but she hasn’t mentioned my letter as yet, hence my conclusion that she must be “~~~~” in plain English “angry”. She has asked me for a photo of myself every time she writes, but I haven’t one, will have to try and get a snap of some sort taken. I gave that one you sent me for George to Hilda, who just as much as asked for it, so what could I do, nothing!! Si likes the weak hearted creature I am I gave it to her. I figured it out this way, I would see George soon, and it would be much better him not

knowing what I look like until I see him. Then he will have a greater surprise than he would have if he had the pictures. I don’t want you to think I am conceited, but I have changed considerably since I had it taken, having grown some more and very much fatter.

Better looking?? I couldn’t tell you. About the only change I can see in Wilf (in looks) is his nose, which has quite a hump on it. He has a nose exactly the same as Grandpa, I noticed it as soon as I saw him. Well Ma, I recken as how I have written a pretty good letter (for siys anyway) all kinds of love to Dad and yourself, and remember me to everyone

Your loving son

Victor

October 25, 2019 0

Victor Reginald Paulin letter home, nd

Fancy me writing a letter like this. I am afraid I will get brain storm.

Letter 2 [nd]

While in Waterloo Station on my way back the other day, a Canadian officer came up and asked me where he could buy a paper. I did not know as it was Sunday, and we got talking. He asked me where I came from, and I told him, so he asked me my name as he also came from Victoria. I told him, and instantly we were old friends, as it was young Gonnason, he was on leave from France and was through the same show

that Ben and George got at with Passchendale. I told him all about Ben and we had quite a nice little talk. So nice that I nearly missed my train.

As regards to my insurance, it is a safe investment if you pay it because I will be in a position to pay it soon. From the first of this month I get 25 bob a day, but my allowances which make up the large portion of this sum were paid about ~~~~~ in arrears, so when they come through and my account gets “properly started” I will send you a draft.

The last night I went to Zigg Zagg, a musical revue in London and enjoyed it very much. Cousin Hilda, sings very nicely if she had someone to play for her. Gracie plays a little, but not much. Gracie is married to a returned soldier with one arm, and lives across the street from her Mother. She is not nearly as nice as Hilda, she has picked up the same way of speaking as the people they been living amongst in Perry Bar (some place) and reminds me very much of Aunty Polly, always acting the goat and making faces. But there is all the differences in the world between

the two. Well Ma, this is about the longest letter I have ever written, and as all things must have an ending, I must break off right here, simply from lack of news and brains fag.

With all kinds of love to Dad and yourself

Your affectionate son

Vic

October 21, 2019 0

WPC Leonard to George Paulin(e), 1918

Letter to George Paulin, Victoria from WPC Leonard, Chaplain to the forces

May 10, 1918,

No 23 Squadron, Royal Air Force

Dear Mr Pauline,

It is with deep sympathy that I write to you about the great loss which you have been called upon to bear in the death of your son while flying.

I can assure you that every member of the Squadron shares your sorrow to the uttermost, and feels for you sincerely in this overwhelming loss.

Your boy made many friends among us, and earned the very highest opinion and admiration as a pilot. He was absolutely fearless, and had he been spared, I am certain would have made a great name.

The Commanding officer, Major Bryant, will probably have told you, as he told me, that he looked upon your boy as his best and stoutest hearted pilot.

It was excess of keenness and enthusiasm which really caused his death, for he was trying to do a difficult climbing turn, when the machine crashed to the ground, killing your son instantly.

We laid him to rest this afternoon in the British Cemetery near St Omer, and as soon as possible a cross made out of a propeller will be erected to his memory. The Co. and all officers who were not on duty came to the service, in which we laid his earthly remains to rest, and commended his brave soul to the keeping of Him who also gave his life to pay the price of a purer and better world.

Out here we begin to understand that death, is not the end; it is but the gateway of a fuller and more perfect life. One day we shall meet again in that promised land where death is swallowed up in victory.

I know that no words of mine can relieve your grief, but I hope that God will comfort you and give you pride in the greatness of the sacrifice which your boy has laid on the Altar of Patriotism.

In deepest sympathy, in which all ranks wish to join,

Believe me

Very Sincerely Yours

MPG Leonard,

Chaplain to the Forces.

October 19, 2019 0

Victor Reginald Paulin to Edith Nickells Paulin, 1918

Letter to Mrs George Paulin from son Victor Paulin, France 22 April 1918

Dear mother,

How are things in old Victoria? Received a letter from Victoria yesterday giving all the latest events, from Nancy Riddell, they are now living at 793 Stillside Ave, wants a snap of me, so I told her to call on you, and you would be sure to give her one. I hope you received the postcards taken at Ayr and the 2 films taken in France while I was in the pool.

I have just returned from Baron von Richtofffen’s funeral, he was the German “star” aviator, and was brought down yesterday by one of the chaps in this wing. He flew a red tryplane. I also went and had a look at that this morning. It was quite a funeral for France, a firing party of Australians, and the pall bearers were officers of the Australian Flying Corps. During the ceremony a formation of our machines flew around the cemetery, everyone was wishing that he had been brought down alive, as he was a brave fellow. I have had him dive on me on one occasion, and am not at all sorry he is out of it, at the same time I have every respect in the world for him, if Idid not happen to be able to dive faster than he on the occasion I mention, he would have “got me” -as the him tryplane is a very frail machine and is liable to break up at a great speed. He couldn’t follow me, believe me, I had “gust up” when I knew that the “star”

“him” was on my tail.

I received a letter from Aunty Nellie, also one from Ben, Ruby and Hilda, everything in the garden is rosy so far as Ruby and Ben are concerned. It appears they have both written me, but I have not received the letters.

Say Mother, did Aunty Floss ever write me? I have never heard from any of our relatives in Victoria, except that one letter from Aunty Doll Aunty Polly. I must have lost a whole batch of mail. I have written about a hundred letters for every one I receive. Expected one from you today, it seems funny that I should receive a letter from Nancy from Victoria, and no other mail with it. Perhaps some more is coming !!!(This letter was dated 11 March)

In case you haven’t received my other letters my address is 23 Squadron, RAF, BED France. I received a letter from Wilf recently, he was in London for a few days. I will get leave in about a month, and will send some more music for Dad, tell him to write a few lines once in a while. I haven’t had a letter from him since I landed in England. I received a Christmas card from him that is all, Well Ma must close now, hope Toby won’t be a nuisance to you, the best way would be to raffle him for the Red Cross!! deducting your expenses.

Love to Dad and yourself, your loving son Vic

October 17, 2019 0

New to the page – VR Pauline’s diary, 1918

New on the web site – Victor Pauline’s diary, 1918

Cathy Jansen has obtained images from the diary of Victor Reginald Pauline from the BC Aviation Museum. They were donated to the Museum by Kathleen Paulin, Cathy’s aunt. The diary has not been fully transcribed yet – a job for later, but I was able to do a few pages as a start.

Notice the early part of the diary, January 1918 when he visits the family of Ernest and Emma Paulin. He talks a lot about his cousin Hilda, and also about Grace, and his aunty Emmy.

August 24, 2019 0