Louis Bennett, center, stands among friends next to airplane. Names listed on back are Ethel Mills, Mordaunt, Ottilie, and Verity. Portrait of Lt. Louis Bennett, Jr., R.F.C. This photograph, as well as others (numbers 001378, 001379, and 001380) are referenced in a letter from Mrs. Ethel Mills to Mrs. Louis Bennett, Sr. The text of the letter is as follows: August 20, 1919 Drokes, Beaulieu, Hants My Dear Mrs. Bennett, I just want to reach across the channel, and take your hand and hold it, in a great understanding silence! To begin with, you could not have had my address if your dear boy had not given it! I hope you will be coming to England [and] will come to us for a few days. And get to know his old surroundings here -- where he lived [and] bunked. I remember I was at work building a pig stye! -- when suddenly he appeared flying round [and] round my house and suddenly he made the most beautiful desent [sic] and stood before us, with his handsome face glowing, 'I’ve come to say good bye' -- he could only stay for ½ an hour -- and we mutually photographed each other -- then he was gone, saying 'I’ll send back my photo for you all to sign.' He had no sooner gone, than I grieved I hadn’t asked him for your address, so as to send you any of ours that might be good, as I knew how you’d love to have as many snapshots as possible, but hoped I’d soon hear from him. Well at last I did write -- the photo I had to wait sometime to get a signature -- [and] something made me write to him without returning him his [and] ours -- fearing he had moved from his last address -- so I said do tell me if this reaches you before I send the precious photos.' And I waited, [and] as time passed, I feared he had gone to join with those other warriors! Then came the trying to find you, [and] send you these precious snapshots. [and] so when I saw your envelope, before I opened it, or had even turned it round, I knew what its contents must be [and] I just felt greatful that evidently he looked upon us as friends, [and] so had given you my name and address. You will let me see you should you come to England won’t you -- [and] if possible you will come down to Bealieu [and] be with us for a little while. I will not write more tonight -- but with true love [and] the deepest sympathy to Mr. Bennett and yourself. Yours affectionately Ethel Mills You will want his letter too. You will see the fine way he agitated to get to France and to be fighting!
Subjects:
World War I--Aviation--Pilots--Bennett, Louis., Biplanes.
![Louis Bennett, center, stands among friends next to airplane. Names listed on back are Ethel Mills, Mordaunt, Ottilie, and Verity. Portrait of Lt. Louis Bennett, Jr., R.F.C. This photograph, as well as others (numbers 001378, 001379, and 001380) are referenced in a letter from Mrs. Ethel Mills to Mrs. Louis Bennett, Sr. The text of the letter is as follows: August 20, 1919 Drokes, Beaulieu, Hants My Dear Mrs. Bennett, I just want to reach across the channel, and take your hand and hold it, in a great understanding silence! To begin with, you could not have had my address if your dear boy had not given it! I hope you will be coming to England [and] will come to us for a few days. And get to know his old surroundings here -- where he lived [and] bunked. I remember I was at work building a pig stye! -- when suddenly he appeared flying round [and] round my house and suddenly he made the most beautiful desent [sic] and stood before us, with his handsome face glowing, 'I’ve come to say good bye' -- he could only stay for ½ an hour -- and we mutually photographed each other -- then he was gone, saying 'I’ll send back my photo for you all to sign.' He had no sooner gone, than I grieved I hadn’t asked him for your address, so as to send you any of ours that might be good, as I knew how you’d love to have as many snapshots as possible, but hoped I’d soon hear from him. Well at last I did write -- the photo I had to wait sometime to get a signature -- [and] something made me write to him without returning him his [and] ours -- fearing he had moved from his last address -- so I said do tell me if this reaches you before I send the precious photos.' And I waited, [and] as time passed, I feared he had gone to join with those other warriors! Then came the trying to find you, [and] send you these precious snapshots. [and] so when I saw your envelope, before I opened it, or had even turned it round, I knew what its contents must be [and] I just felt greatful that evidently he looked upon us as friends, [and] so had given you my name and address. You will let me see you should you come to England won’t you -- [and] if possible you will come down to Bealieu [and] be with us for a little while. I will not write more tonight -- but with true love [and] the deepest sympathy to Mr. Bennett and yourself. Yours affectionately Ethel Mills You will want his letter too. You will see the fine way he agitated to get to France and to be fighting!](/image/001379.jpg "Bennett, Louis and Friends Next to Airplane")