Back || Letter from Lieut Martin J Sheehan to his mother page 2, 10th July 1918 reading: The Weather is very fine indeed, and though we did have a thunderstorm the night before it has served to clear the athmosphere slightly. Well Mother you need not worry about me. You say the Bosche has got better and braver than me. Perhaps, But that was in the days when we were not superior in the air. Now we have them licked upside down, and I am a damm good shot, and my gun fires about

Front || Martin J Sheehan's four page letter to his mother dated 10th July (1918 as only possible year) is the only surviving (very faded) (poignant) family letter from the Western Front. Martin describes how they now had the Bosche (Germans) licked upside down sending one down in flames yesterday. How he was sure of coming home alright. Last page relates meeting his sister (a VAD nurse) in hospital recuperation. His address at the top of page one: Lt M J Sheehan, 13 Squadron, R.A.F., B.E.F., France, then goes on: My dearest Mother, I am very sorry indeed that I could not have written before but I am sorry to say that they have sent me up the line again. Sorry for your sake, for I do not mind it at all. I will send your cheque as soon as possible, but I have been getting just flying pay for some time past, and one does not get the various Corps Allowances when in Hospital. In a month or so I will try and manage it.

Front || Letter from Lieut Martin J Sheehan to his mother page 3, 10th July 1918, continues: 600 rounds a minute, - or in plainer language. It fires 600 bullets a minute. And it is a better gun and is better mounted than the Bosche gun. A year ago was different from today. I have not been brought down yet, and have flown a decent amount over the lines. I am quite sure of coming home alright. Yesterday we brought a Bosche down in Flames. He dared to come over the Lines.