The above group photo is of the staff - The Western Front Association

Clearly the above staff from Quetta
made a significant contribution to the
army’s “backbone” as described by
Robbins on Page 1. It would be
interesting to know what contribution
Costello, Tobin and the other 45 students
on the course at Quetta similarly made.
THE MACDONELL’S WAR POEMS:
Terry Dean
In the multitude of letters and papers in
the Liddle collection which was the basis
of my presentation “Macdonell’s Multi-
Continental 3 Dimensional War” were
apparently 3 poems. Later I realised that
2 of them were
actually drafts of the
same poem written by
Macdonell (Mac). The
other (across) was a
hand-written
poem/prayer from his
mother, Annie and is
included in my presentation. On 20 th
June 1915 Mac had survived a perilous
flight over the German lines..
6 days later Mac sent his mother the
above photo of himself standing in front
of his repaired Voisin and described the
damage by reference to crosses he had
marked on the upper wing. Shortly after
Mac, then aged 40, felt “flying was not for
him and wished to be in a combatant
branch of the services”
10
Their photos appear on another
annotated photo in the Mills album.
When time permits I might spend some
time finding out and report further.
Alternatively would a reader of Despatch
like to volunteer for the interesting task,
my contact details are on the back page?
For Dear Dan
Lord guard and guide the men who fly
Through the great spaces of the sky,
Be with them traversing the air
In darkening storms or sunshine fair.
Thou who dost keep with tender might
The balanced birds in all their flight,
Thou of the tempered winds be near
That, having thee, they know not fear.
Control their minds, with instinct fit
What time, adventuring, they quit
The firm security of land:
Grant steadfast eye & skilful hand.
Aloft in solitudes of space,
Uphold them by Thy saving Grace,
O God, protect the men who fly
Through dangerous ways beneath the sky.
Annie Harrison Macdonell
After leaving the RFC he served with
the Highland Light Infantry in
Mesopotamia and was wounded in the
attempts to relieve Kut.
After recovering from
his wound he attended
the Senior Officer’s
School and from May
1917 served in 32 nd
Division under Major
General Cameron
Shute. He hated
Shute and his letters express concerns