William McRae Letters (1917): Canadian Pilot Training, War Isolation & Conscription Crisis

These letters from William McRae, a Royal Flying Corps pilot from Agassiz, British Columbia, offer a glimpse into his daily life during wartime training. Writing to his mother, he shares moments that are both routine and show the uncertainty of miliary life. Written in February and March 1917, these letters offer a firsthand account of military training, daily routines, and life far from home.

They are part of the William McRae Letter Collection (WWI Series) from the Agassiz-Harrison Museum.
Read the previous letters in the series here: William McRae Main Page
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About William McRae

William Gordon McRae was born in 1897 in Agassiz, British Columbia, Canada. He was the oldest of 10 children to Ambie, a founding member of the local chapter of the Women’s Institute, and John who was the Reeve (think mayor) of the community where they lived and farmed. William was eager to learn how to fly and built his own airplane including propeller.

Training for the Royal Flying Corps

William McRae began his training in 1915 with the Aero Club of British Columbia. When he was accepted into the program, the Dominion of Government promised that they would be accepted as pilots to be sent overseas for further training, once they had passed their exams in Canada.

William’s arrival in Liverpool and now at Oxford, shows how the Dominion Government’s training system led directly to Canadian pilots being commissioned into the the Royal Flying Corps. Everyone who had joined the Aero Club of British Columbia ended up serving overseas as pilots.

From British Columbia to England: William McRae’s Journey Overseas

William had completed his cross-country journey on the Canadian Pacific Railway. William and his fellow cadets have finally arrived in England. He shares what it is like arriving in Liverpool and London for the first time, as well as eagerly awaiting his transition to Oxford so he can continue with his training.

In his letters home he writes about how different the climate is compared to home. Trying to let his family understand what life is like for him in this new place.

News From Home: Isolation and Lack of War Updates

After two and a half months away, William finds himself still cut off from everything. No letters from home, and even news of the war he is training for, fails to reach him. His words capture what it is like to be isolated and desperate for news.

He is unaware that his father has been elected reeve of Agassiz again. Both of William’s parents have active roles in their communities, so I am sure this is no surprise to William. His father, John McRae, was well known with his construction company, having built many of the main buildings in and around Agassiz, British Columbia. The town would be in good hands with John McRae as their Reeve.

Credit: The Province, January 15, 1917

He is unaware that a fellow soldier from Agassiz, Malcom McCallum was killed on March 1st at the battle of the Somme (P.S. Malcolm’s letters home will be a future series- stay tuned!)

Malcolm McCallum
Credit: Agassiz-Harrison Museum

He is unaware that Agassiz may be getting a telephone service.

He is unaware of so much at home and yet he stays focused on learning to fly his “machine” and learning to fly.

Conscription in Canada: William McRae Enlists Before the 1917 Military Services Act

At the time of William’s enlistment, conscription in Canada did not exist. It was coming though. Civilians weren’t enlisting in high enough numbers, which triggered the Conscription Crisis of 1917. In May 1917, Prime Minister Borden announced that plans were being put into motion for conscription. Conscription in Canada was formally introduced on August 29, 1917, with the passage of the Military Services Act.

The Military Services Act was in place for the Second World War and meant that his brother Hugo and Peter were both required to fight, and thankfully they both returned home safe.

William’s Letter to Mother – February 13, 1917

Cadet W. G. McRae # 58323
Royal Flying Corps.
Exeter College.
Oxford.
Oxfordshire, England

Tuesday Feb 13/17

Dear Mother. –

I arrived here Sunday evening; and commenced work Monday morning.

I found out today the quickest time in which I can leave Oxford College will require four months of hard work. This four months consists of two months qualifying as an officer in the Infantry Training Corps. & the last two months at the College will be spent studying the technical parts of the machine’s engine. Etc. And if a person fails in the exams he will be required to take them over again and-so-on until he successful passed his exams.

After he has passed his exams he is sent to an Aviation School for about two months. So if I reach France before the war is over I shall be very lucky.

This college or part of it dates back to the fourteenth century. It is certainly old and very picturesque. Another very pretty picture in the winding sheets?

Oxford is regarded as one of the nicest cities in Engl. But give me the Canadian towns.

I have to “fall-in” in a few minutes so shall close for the present. –

Love to all.

Your loving son.

 Willie.

William’s Letter to Mother – February 18, 1917

Cadet W. G. McRae
F. Company 6th .O.C.B
Christ Church College
Oxford England

Sunday 18/2/17

Dear Mother,

I have settled down to work at last after travelling etc. since Jan 15/17. We are all in the 6^th Officer’s Cadet Battalion at the above address. This College is the best and nicest of the Oxford Universities. Some day I will send you a few shots of the ancient Colleges etc.

Our routine for the day commences with arising at 4.30 A.M. parade for breakfast @ 8 A.M. and drill parade at 9 A.M. lunch @ 1 P.M. Dinner @ 4 P.M. roll call at 9 P.M. and lights out at 10 P.M.

All the boys (4) in my room were asleep Friday night (including myself) & about 10 P.M. there was a fire alarm. We were all out in parade in a very few minutes and marched to a big storage barn about half a mile away. It seems the barn was filled with baled-hay and the fire had been burning since 4 P.M.

We were set to work moving the bales to a safe distance & talk about dirty looking animals. We certainly were dirty. We worked until 1 A.M. like Trojans & then had cocoa & sandwiches. We were all wet from head to feet as the excited firemen drenched us with the hose, so the cocoa was very refreshing.

This morning a fellow named Marks & myself went for a row in the river this morning & had a pleasant time.

News is very scarce etc. so I must close.

With love to all

Your loving Son.

Willie.

William’s Letter to Parents and Children- February 25, 1917

Sunday Feb 25. 17

Cadet W. G. McRae
F. Co. 6^th O.C.B.
Christ Church College
Oxford.
England

Dear Parents & Children ; –

It is Sunday & here I am again writing. Which you may think is none too often.

Since last Sunday we have done nothing except Squad Drive etc. and am getting quite used to it by this time.

We were out drilling the other day l suddenly we heard a hum in the air and turned around. There was an “Aero Scout: Biplane turning upside-down. Twisting etc. about a dozen times. It was certainly — and almost made me wish I was up there also.

Did you get the things from Si yet? Did he send my big camera. Telegraph key & goggles. Or if you didn’t receive my first letter in which I asked to send a letter to Si or C.E. Perkins, Balmoral Hotel, Vancouver, B.C. would you please do so again.as I have some valuables there which are worth having.

I have taken a few snap shots of several of the boys I shall send them home.

One of the boys just came in with the news that the 200 R.F.C. Boys over at Exeter College passed with the exception of 3 so I have no fear of passing now as I had several days ago.

A couple of the boys here have been sent to the hospital on account of having the measles, I was to see the Dentist the other day & had a tooth filled etc. After I got home the filling started to fall out & so I got a — pen nib & holder & replaced it.

News is just the same. We hardly ever hear anything except for the darkened sheets at night we wouldn’t know there was such a thing as a war.

Your loving son,

Willie.

(Ask Bell to write)

William’s Letter to Mother – XX

Cadet W. G. McRae
F Co. 6^thO.C.B.
Christ Church
Oxford. Engl.

March 11, 1917

Dear Mother,

Just another few lines to let you know I am still alive and well. I don’t believe I should say well because I have been sick with a slight attack of influenza and am just recovering. My throat has been swollen & very soar.

The climate here varies considerably even more as so than that of B.C. During this last week it snowed nearly half the time & we had to do our —- training in our shirt sleeves which (of course) wasn’t very pleasant.

I haven’t had any letters from Canada yet, but hope to receive some inside of two weeks.

I am sending you some more snap shots. The one of myself gives the impre4shion that I am gaining flesh. But the truth is that the camera was pretty close and of course it was at the height of my hips. This , also appeared in the other snap shot.

I wrote a letter to George Christie and Wilson McRae the other day and have not heard from them yet.

When your received this letter I shall be taking my Examinations and, if I am exceptional lucky I will then take up the technical part of the work.

I wonder why Aunt Christie thinks of the war situation now.

Yesterday was payday. Seven holes. And I had a great time. Went to a rotten picture show the best in town paid ½ and went to a tea shop and spent another bob. Bought a bobs worth of stamps .etc. and have two pens left. Of course we have to buy our own coal and that take quite a bit. I haven’t heard anything of our refund yet. As I am getting on fine. This is not need to ….

News is getting scarce even more so I must close.

With hopes that everyone is well. etc. your loving son.

Willie.