Cove, October 24th 1915 Dear Mother, Just a few lines in answer to your ever welcome letter. Its is a very miserable week end, started raining yesterday evening, and is continuing at this present moment. I shall not learn French now, because I am desirous of joining the Royal Navy before the 30th day of November. I am going to work three more weeks, then come home for a weeks holiday before joining. I think it is my duty to go, because I am the right age, and also medically fit. But if you do not want me to go, I will give over thinking about it. I have had a letter from Lord Derby which I enclose. We are only 14 miles off the scene of the last air-raid at Guildford. They did more damage than what was publish in the papers. I had my photo taken last Saturday, but it is only a poor one. I was very pleased to receive those nice letters from Annie and Ted, and also the three photo's. We are getting on with our work nicely now. I let Harry have a look at the photo's, he said Ted had altered a lot, but Annie had not. W Trafford and I went to the flying ground last Sunday afternoon. We were watching them flying for two hours, and also saw one broken. All it's planes were completely smashed up. Well this is all this time hoping you are all well as it leaves me, With best love to all I remain, Your loving Son Joe XXXX Joe is obviously working away from home, my current Atlas does'nt give a place called Cove in Surrey. I have no idea how he came to working so far from Lincolnshire. Joe was the eldest of my grandparents seven children. He was born 5th February 1896 at Hainton, Lincolnshire. I have two photographs of him, which I will share with you later. I do have a postcard, which is in two pieces, showing a "Dunne" Aeroplane, on r/h side of card it says 'Mays, Aldershot' It has been sent in an envelope to Joe's sister Annie, sending all his love. I Googled "Dunne's Aeroplanes" and read some very interesting things about John Wm Dunne, he was the son of General Sir John Hart Dunn KCB 1835-1924. John Dunne Jnr was born 1875 in Ireland. John Dunne was a pioneer aeronautical engineer, designed military aircraft, concentrating on tailess designs. He designed many planes and biplanes. Joe must have bought the postcard whilst visiting the flying fields. I see in the information about John Dunne, he was at one time assigned to the Army Balloon Factory in Sth Farnborough (1905) I see Farnborough is only about 7 miles from Guildford. The postcard by the way show a biplane, an extremely flimsy object of struts, wire and a bit of canvas, attached to what looks like two pram wheels. Lord Derby's letter isnt in the envelope. Pat