Most English balloon observers were officers, but occasionally a
non-commissioned man was taken up in order to give him experience.
On one such occasion the balloon burst in the air. The two occupants
made a hasty parachute exit from the basket. The courtesy usually
observed by the senior officer, of allowing the other parachute to get
clear before he jumps, was not possible in this instance, with the
result that the officer got entangled with the "passenger's" parachute,
which consequently did not open.
Fortunately the officer's parachute functioned successfully and brought
both men safely to earth. Upon landing they were rather badly dragged
along the ground, being finally pulled up in a bush.
The "passenger," a Cockney sergeant, was damaged a good deal, but upon
being picked up and asked how he had enjoyed his ride he answered, "Oh,
it was all right, but a parachute is like a wife or a toof-brush--you
reely want one to yourself."--_Basil Mitchell (late R.A.F.), 51 Long
Lane, Finchley, N.3._