1. Where was John Douglas Hume born?
2. List 4 different places where Douglas received his training as a naval pilot.
3. Which countries did he visit during his service career?
4. How old was Douglas when he died?
5. Where and how did he die?

Now WRITE a brief summary of this part of Douglas’s life from the information provided.

Give two quotes from this letter that convey Douglas’s sense of excitement about his first flight.

3. Source 2: A typical training day, July 1915
Douglas gives a detailed description in his letter of a typical day as a trainee WW1 pilot. Set out the information provided in table form as an official guide for future trainee pilots. Use the separate worksheet (opens in new window).

4. Source 3: Almost crashed, August 1915

‘I thought we were going to crash straight into the ground….’ (paragraph 2)

In this letter of 15 August 1915, Douglas describes a very eventful training flight with his instructor. He experienced great ‘highs and lows’. Imagine you are in his place at that time. Write a descriptive piece that expresses your feelings and emotions during your flight. Be aware of your senses – sight, sound, smell and touch.

5. Source 4: First crash, November 1915
Read this letter and either:

1. WRITE a newspaper report of Douglas Hume’s first air crash. Don’t forget to include a powerful headline

or

2. WRITE an eye-witness account of the crash for television news and perform or record it in class.