ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Since a boy, war intrigued me; not the gore and devastation, rather a curiosity about why mankind repeatedly engages in it, and why soldiers, especially volunteers, are so willing to fight on behalf of their countries. I turned to my maternal grandfather’s war experiences for lessons about fear and courage, for an understanding of why or how one man came to the decision to lay his life on the line and enlist in 1915. Sadly, I had deferred to family taboos (“Hush, he doesn’t want to talk about the war”) so did not ask him enough direct questions before he died in 1976. Gladly, there exists plentiful reference material covering the war in general, his regiment and squadron, and specifically to himself: one person among millions of young men engaged in the ‘war to end all wars’ that lasted from 1914 to 1918.

I began to create a documentary style accounting of Robert Courtenay Pitman’s war history based on official service records, but eventually found the story lacked flow due to periods where some information on time and people was missing. I decided to write in novel style, which gave me license to develop more flow without sacrificing the very important historical background. But as with most things in life I could not proceed without the assistance of willing institutions and informed experts.

Such resources include The Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa, The National Archives, Kew, the Royal Air Force Museum, Hendon Aerodrome, London, Cross & Cockade International, Kettering, the Imperial War Museum, London, the Canadian War Museum, Ottawa and the Saskatoon Library. Although it is not practical to mention the names of all those who assisted, I can assure you that without exception every person at every institution was exceptionally pleasant, professional and helpful.

In addition to general acknowledgments there are a few professionals who provided very specific expertise on key topics. For pretty much everything about the FE2b, from its handling in flight to its complex makeup I thank Gene DeMarco, Aviation Consultant and FE2b pilot. For detailed historical data regarding the RFC/ RAF in general and 100 Squadron in particular, I thank Trevor Henshaw, author of The Sky Their Battlefield, Grub Street Books and contributing author to other publications such as the FE2b Monogram, Cross & Cockade International. Steve Suddaby, Past President World War One Historical Society was incredibly helpful in the final stages of the manuscript with putting me straight on many details about aircraft manoeuvres and bombing operations. See Steve’s extensive database by entering Suddaby in the search box at https://www.overthefront.com/. Finally, I thank the person who gave me the confidence to believe this book would one day come to fruition, war historian Norm Graham. Experiencing Norm’s depth of knowledge while attending one of his WW1 Battlefield Tours in western France and reviewing many of his books and DVDs provided an insight into the Great War not otherwise accessible. See https://battlefields.ca/. Finally, my supportive publisher! In the competitive world of published works Indigo River Publishing believed in me; not only to sell books but in allowing me freedom to meaningfully participate in the process. Bobby Dunaway leads a great team. Editors Justyn Newman and Regina Cornell both provided a critical eye with a sensitive approach. And the one who found me, Georgette Green.

For all those test readers, you know who you are and know how appreciative I am of your critical feedback. Thanks everyone!