Before leaving the topic of Hill Stations, Danny, Arthur had a special memory of one of these places. The background to the tale was that, wherever they were posted, he always made a point of seeking out suitable priests to administer to the squadron.
At Ranchi, he came across a Catholic priest by the name of
Father Jacquemotte. He was a Belgian in charge of a Mission in the vicinity. While having a drink with him in the Mess, Arthur learned that the priest had, with the fall of Belgium in WW1, escaped and joined the RFC, which whom he flew over the Western Front. The Germans had forbidden all Belgians from escaping to join the Allies, with the consequence that his family were rounded-up and executed, as an example to all. Arthur asked him when he had last flown, to which he replied that it was not since WW1. So he was offered a flight in the back of a 'Vengeance'.
As they walked out to the aircraft, Arthur asked what he would like to do... some aerobatics, a vertical dive or a low level flight. Jacquamotte's reply was 'Let's beat-up the Mission!' and this they proceeded to do, at low level and with repeated passes. Down below, was a sight to behold. All the nuns, priests and other staff came rushing out, madly waving sheets and aprons. The following day, a wooden box appeared on Arthur's desk. Inside was three bottles of vintage red wine, with a note that said '
NOT FOR MASS!'
Some weeks later, Father Jacquamotte told Arthur that he was looking very tired and that if he could take a few days off, he would arrange a short holiday for him. He was indeed tired and so agreed to his offer. Taking 84 Squadron's Equipment Officer with him, Arthur flew to Calcutta. There, the pair took the narrow-gauge 'Toy Train' up into the hills to arrive at the Hill Station of
Darjeeling. They were guests in the Bishop's Palace and, in the absence of the Bishop, were given the use of his suite. The food and wine were excellent and, as a favour, Arthur presented the Sports Day prizes at the Catholic girls' school. The most memorable moment, however, was to for them be be up before dawn. They walked to a viewpoint and there before them was a panorama of the mighty Himalayas. Most prominent was the snowy peak of Kangchenjunga bathed, exquisitely, in the orange light of the rising sun.
Arthur said that his time at Darjeeling was truly a delight and that he and 'Pat' returned to the Squadron as 'new men'.
