...intended for flight it ressembled a large steel tube with a point at one extremity and what ressembled several fins at the other on which it stood.
The Major was ecstatic and could not wait for the demonstration, he had a fondness for all things that flew, it was often that I would fall asleep in the study whilst listening to him wittering away about some damned african bird.
We were all reassured as the chap in charge informed us that if anything went wrong it would probably land in France so not a single english life would be endangered, with the exception of a member of my staff, whom I had volunteered to pilot it. Strapped to the rocket he would operate the tail fins by pulling on several wires, this we were told, would guide the rocket and enable the pilot to jump off at the opportune time and operate what was called a parachute, another bloody stupid invention that will never catch on...
After much ado and a speech by myself, the fuse was lit and after an almighty bang! it was away, climbing at first it appearred to level out and then head across the channel towards France, all this was ignored as the local Mayors' trousers had caught fire when the rocket took off and he had jumped off the cliff into the sea below.
Whilst mayhem ensued onshore the Major observed the rockets progress towards France. As planned my member of staff had released the rocket and dropped into the channel and could be seen swimming for shore. As the Major commented ' That Armstrong chap has a future piloting rockets don't you think?' I replied that he would do better at swimming!!!
