Much admirable work was done by the personnel of both services, of which perforce no record can be given. In one instance an American squadron allotted to Hicks Field marched into new and unfinished barracks. There was no camp equipment, no water or sewerage. The hangars were congested with machines in packing cases, and there were no tools, yet within eight days the packing cases had disappeared and all machines were serviceable and ready to fly. A remarkable performance for a unit of partially-trained men.
No account of the Texas experience would be complete without some record of the spontaneous hospitality and goodwill shown by the citizens of Fort Worth and the community in general. During Christmas time, pneumonia was rampant at Camp Bowie, some six miles from Fort Worth, where there were no less than 35,000 Texans, composing the Panther Division. As a result the Canadians were quarantined. This made no difference, however, to the all-hospitable Texan, who extended to officers, cadets and mechanics so many and lavish invitations that at the year’s end there was not a man who had not personally experienced the goodwill of the South. The interest created by the first arrival of the brigade in strange uniforms and caps seemed to continue throughout the winter. No Flying Corps man was allowed to walk, when every privately owned motor car was at his service. Liaison duties were most admirably discharged by the American officer who made it not only his particular duty but pleasure to see that all newcomers were welcomed under his kindly roof, and had every opportunity of meeting brother officers under the most delightful circumstances.
“THE ROLL”—HALF-OVER.
THE “ROLL.”
CALM SKIES.
Fort Worth citizens subscribed the sum of $75,000 to provide funds for the local branch of the American War Service Board, and rented a large club room and dancing hall in the centre of the city, where comfortable accommodation was found for men of both the American and British services. This organization was under the management of a “Big Brother,” who seemed born to the work. Canteen and dancing halls were supervised by an organization, the Federated Ladies’ Clubs of Fort Worth, in which each of the latter endeavoured to excel in hospitality, and it fell on one memorable night that the Canadians were entertained by the daughter of the President of the United States.