Dudely is at Lake Down doing flight training


Flight training is at Lake Down, living in tents, I guess he has arrived August or September 1918, Lake Down appears to be a school for bomber crew.

Trench coats are considered officers kit.

Flight training is supposed to take 8 to 9 months, but Dudley is at Boscombe before Christmas, so clearly the war ending stops any training.


Photos of Dudley in Military Service

Source: Lake Down
Date and Time of entry: Sunday, September 1, 1918 00:00

I have started flying and my instructor, strange to say is a certain C

Source: Lake Down
Date and Time of entry: Sunday, September 1, 1918 00:00

I have just tested the goggles and they are A1

Source: Lake Down
Date and Time of entry: Sunday, September 1, 1918 00:00

No Goggles

Source: Lake Down
Date and Time of entry: Sunday, September 1, 1918 00:00

Uniform yet to be distributed

Source: Lake Down
Date and Time of entry: Sunday, September 1, 1918 00:00

Arrives at Lake Down

Source: Lake Down
Date and Time of entry: Sunday, September 1, 1918 00:00

Secured the goggles

Source: Lake Down
Date and Time of entry: Thursday, September 5, 1918 00:00

Goggles have arrived

Source: Lake Down
Date and Time of entry: Tuesday, September 10, 1918 00:00

I have just tested the goggles and they are A1.

Source: Lake Down
Date and Time of entry: Friday, September 20, 1918 00:00

The chocolate was a fine surprise

Source: Lake Down
Date and Time of entry: Tuesday, October 1, 1918 00:00

Am on Guard again


Source: Lake Down
Date and Time of entry: Tuesday, October 1, 1918 00:00

Arrives at Lake Down

Source: Lake Down
Date and Time of entry: Tuesday, October 1, 1918 00:00

War news good, New instructor, about to go solo

Source: Lake Down
Date and Time of entry: Thursday, October 10, 1918 00:00

New Instructor

Source: Lake Down
Date and Time of entry: Friday, November 1, 1918 00:00

I have got a new man a Canadian Captain

Source: Lake Down
Date and Time of entry: Friday, November 1, 1918 00:00

Complains he has been held back, Should be a Medical Student but still to start.

Source: Lake Down
Date and Time of entry: Wednesday, November 20, 1918 00:00

The only people he is prepared to consider are British farmers

Source: Lake Down
Date and Time of entry: Sunday, December 1, 1918 00:00

Other references to Lake Down

Lake Down on Facebook, photos form 2nd Lt. Benjamin I. Johnstone, RFC Canada, provided by Doug Mcglone