**** For those of you following Oliver’s tale the current DID Deep Immersion Campaign, I suggest reading the latest entry Here before continuing. For the rest, proceed as you will, dear reader.



At long last I can tell the tale. It’s been killing me to keep this under wraps for two months while my chronologically challenged DID pilot made his way to the appointed date and time for the book’s reveal.

As part of the ongoing DID Deep Immersion campaign I’ve been down the rabbit hole researching 54 Squadron for my current pilot. More of a mine shaft now, actually. Not long ago, I found treasure, not just the usual knowledge but something tangible.

Copies of 54 Squadron’s famous songbook, Cinquante-Quatre are tough to find, especially the first edition printed June 1917. There’s a scanned copy at the University of California, viewable here:

https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.31175035252413&view=1up&seq=1

Lyrics by Francis John Morse. Croix de Guerre. Educ. Winchester. Squadron leader RAF. Solicitor, Chairman, Steward & Patteson. Died 1971.

Illustrations by Edward James Yzenhoed Grevelink. Bedford School. Sandhurst. Wounded at Ypres, 1915. Joined RFC July 1916. KIA June 6, 1917.

Recently, I stumbled on a first edition for sale. It was in rough shape and I vacillated until I looked closer and saw that it included the program from the squadron farewell banquet at the Grand Hotel, Birmingham on December 8, 1916! Click. Sold. Explain extravagant purchase to SWMBO later.
Here are photos of the Banquet Program:





To whet my appetite while the book shipped from the UK, the seller (Shoutout to Rainford and Parris books!) sent me additional pics. When I saw this last one, my jaw hit the floor and I had to walk around the house to calm down.



Lt. Percy Goodbehere joined No. 54 Squadron on 24 June 1917. This was his book. On 22 October 1917, he collided with squad mate Lt. George Cowie, west of Beerst. Cowie was killed, Goodbehere spun down, survived the crash landing, and was made prisoner. Ltn. Max Ritter von Müller, Js28 claimed both as victories. Goodbehere died in 1967.

Ironically, I’d seen his picture before in the Sutton glass plate collection. He was with the 5th Manchesters then. That site alone is worth a look. Link Below:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/pastonglass/albums




Royal Aero Club Certificate

Wow, Fantastic find!! Thanks for sharing and the links!

That is an outstanding acquisition. I hate to think what it went for, but it was totally worth it!

surely the Mrs. understands? I know RAFLou does! that is indeed a pretty little book. so, how long will it take to cook up that menu?

To the King!

Wow! Just wow!

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Wow to be sure! Epower, when I first saw your rare acquisition I was forced to spend the next hour drying out my keyboard. Neglected to drop the drool guard in place you see. Those treasures could not have found a better home, my friend. An equal one perhaps at my place, but not a better one.

Lou

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Very nice indeed! Congrats!!

Epower, congrats on a tremendous find and the guts to make that extravagant purchase happen under the nose of SWMBO. Bravo!
Now, when can we expect a link to a Cinquante-Quatre singalong as performed by none other than yourself?

Loftyc - I hadn't thought of cooking the menu to be honest. I was all fired up to do that after your excellent suggestion until I saw Boiled Halibut. Bad time to be dropping an "R" I fear that the fine Edwardian cuisine, influenced by the great Escoffier didn't make it to Birmingham. I shall not be boiling fish anytime soon. That Mutton Saddle on the other hand could be just the ticket.

E,
Great stuff. I've used that wonderful programme to spruce up the 54 Sqn datafiles !
Cheers,
shredward

Shredward,

Excellent. Glad it helped. The book was enticing but the program was the real prize for me. Every last founding member of the squadron. Gold, especially given that there's so little written about 54 Squadron.

E