Baseball and Flight Training in Wartime Oxford, 1917

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 from Oxford, England, William shares moments that are surprisingly ordinary. He talks of baseball games, bicycle rides, canoe trips, and joking with friends. Through these letters we also can see the support network he has back home in Agassiz. He has his family, friends, the Women’s Institute and the Red Cross supporting him and his fellow soldiers.

These letters are part of the William McRae Letter Collection (WWI Series)
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 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. He left home to train under Billy Bishop in the Royal Flying Corps before heading overseas to fight in World War One.

Community Support

McCallum Family

Malcolm McCallum, the son of Jane McCallum, was killed in action during the war. In his letter, William mentions exchanging letters with Malcolm’s mother, revealing how wartime support did not move in only one direction. For grieving mothers like Jane McCallum, letters from young men like William helped maintain a personal link to the war and to the sons they had lost.

The Women’s Institute and The Red Cross

During the First World War, the Agassiz branch of the Women’s Institute played an active role in supporting both their local community and those serving overseas. Members worked tirelessly to raise funds, share information, and collect food, clothing, and other supplies for soldiers. Two of the women involved, Ambie McRae and Jane McCallum, both had sons serving overseas during the war.

Together, the Women’s Institute raised thousands of dollars for organizations such as the Red Cross and the Patriotic Fund. Members also made jam and cakes, and gathered apples, potatoes, and clothing to send through the C.P.R. to those in need.

Working alongside the Red Cross, the Women’s Institute also helped send parcels to soldiers at Christmas and later arranged birthday letters and gifts for the “boys” overseas. Having spent his twentieth birthday training in Oxford, England, William would likely have received one of these parcels from the Red Cross and the Women’s Institute.

Letters

William’s Letter to Mother – April 15, 1917

Note: Page 1 is missing

for sending. I believe you asked me what sort of things or eatables I preferred in any parcels. Well to tell you the truth I prefer the good old Home made cakes. etc.

All the other boys with the exception of two or three of us were given leave to go to their homes ect for a few days. I obtained a pass for George’s parents place but couldn’t make it stick but hope to do so within a few weeks.

One of the boys from Vancouver and myself went for a long bisycle rid this morning the distance being considerable over twenty miles.

I am told this course (the Technical course) is much harder than our last course. It only being five weeks and in this five weeks we have to study a two month course. I wrote several letters to George Chester when I just came to Oxford. One has been returned and I can’t find anything of George on the other letters. SO I am going to write to his mother this afternoon. I also wrote a letter to Mrs. M. Macallum and shall write me to the local Red Cross. Maynard hasn’t answered my letters yet but of course I know he takes quite awhile in answering so I am not worrying.

I am getting all my new clothes etc. (Officer’s) now, so I may be ready on a few moment’s notice to advance to my flying squadron.

Mother I wish you would send me any news of the B.C. Aviation School etc instead of jiggs as we get jiggs over here. several of the boys get the province.

Oxford is quite a city I will send you a album sometime soon & you may see for yourself. They do more work here on Sundays (everybody) than we do on week days. When I come to think of it this is 15/April. Is not it? Thank you for the congratulations, etc.

Love to all,

Your loving son,
Willie

How are all the children, yourself & Dad

William’s Letter to Mother- April 22, 1917

Cadet W.G. McRae

School Miliary Aeronautics
Oxford. Eng.

April 22, 1917 (1 PM)

Dear Mother. –

Just a few lines to let you know I haven’t received any letters for over two weeks. I wrote a letter to Mrs. Chester a few days ago but as yet have received no answer. I don’t know whether or not I told you about being inoculated but I was and say it felt fine especially when he (the M.D. withdrew the needle. But of course this process is only a minor incident. I like this technical course very much indeed. It is far more interesting than our last course.

We had a baseball game yesterday with the other Co’s of the 6 O.C. B and naturally defeated them. We also play tomorrow evening after 5 p.m.

We went out on quite a long route march to day or this morning I should say to the aerodrome and had quite a pleasing time. This course lasts for 4 weeks more but as the C.O. asked for all the fellows who have had pervious training I might be posted to my squadron sometime next week but shall let you know my another letter.

I am commencing to like or become accustomed to the habits of this old city but as memory deteriorates with age I shall soon forget it.

6 P.M.

One of my room mates Marshall from Ontario and I were down to the hospital to day to see his chum.

10 P.M.

After dinner I went out for a short walk. Returned about ¾ hours ago and as Jack Haught & Marhsall are writing I thought I would finish this section.

Wishing you are all well ect.

Your loving son

Willie.

William’s Letter to Sisters Isabel and Vernice- April 22, 1917

Isabel McRae

Dear Bell & Vern

I believed a received a sort of letter from you a few years ago. One of the boys in my room, Marshall had a Canadian hair cut. You know the kind , the kind I used to give Hugo & Clarence with he horse clippers.

Bella: Right across the street from our room is a pretty little bench. Us boys have quite a time with here speaking French through the windows.

We.. even? All out for quite a route march ….

Oh. But I wrote a litter to E.W. .. as yet have recv’d no answer. O. Say I had a nice letter from B.C. Vernice in your letter said something about Sylvia visiting B… in Vancouver. Well Vernice said told me Sylvia said the letter was pretty mushy because her sister wouldn’t show me them to her.

N.B. How is Dad? Nicol, the help, Mum & Yourself?We expect to go to London some day soon to play baseball. That is if we aren’t posted to our squadron next week some time.

Please write & give me all the news.

Your little bud.

William.

Hoping everybody is well. Has Marion rec’vd my letter yet? How is the Agassiz.

William’s Letter to Mother – May 6, 1917

Cadet W.G. McRae
School of Military Aeronautics
Oxford. Eng. May 6/17

Dear Mother.

I received your welcomed letters nearly a week ago but as I have sent them all on to George, I have forgotten the date of the last one.

Well. Spring has come at last. & I believe Oxford is quite a nice city after all. We were out today in a canoe & had a splendid time, the canoe nearly upsetting several times.

We (the baseball team) were playing near Taplow yesterday at a Canadian hospital and had quite a game. Played 5 inning with a score of 8-3 in our favour. After the game was over we were invited to the officer’s mess for tea & met several Canadian officers one of whom carried out the medical profession in New Westminster B.C.

I was inoculated last thursday for the second time. I was given three days leave but as it did not effect me I would go down to the museum for lectures every afternoon and of course “sleep -in” in the mornings. Neither Marshall or myself have done any studying so far. But as the exams are to be very stiff we have to start in tomorrow night. I work like trojans. I have passed my wireless tests O.K. quite awhile ago but as we have a final exam in two or three weeks I shall have to keep it up.

Do you remember me mentioning about the Australian fellow ____ of Christ Church, well he was killed in an aeroplane crash last Thursday losing his head partially and dropping over six hundred feet. I had several letters from Canada last week. One from Miss. Webster, Miss MaClean, Miss Drayney & Miss Roach, also Miss McRae all of which were quite interesting.

Mother, you seem to bother about my welfare ect. well to tell you the truth I am having a fine time, including sweets, afternoon teas. etc. on 1 bob a day too mind you. Next week were are going to play Ball in London so shall let you know the results. What will George. C. say when he receives the letter you sent me in which you discuss Peter McRae’s proposition.

Well. Over the river (Ma! Ha! Ha! Ha!
Your loving Son. William.

William’s Letter to Mother – May 13, 1917

Cadet W. G. McRae
School o/o Military Aeronautics
Oxford, Eng.
May 13, 1917

Dear Mother.-

I received your affectionate letter a few days ago & was glad to hear that you all were well. I was also please to hear from Isabel & Hugo. Although Isa forgot to send her picture.

I am getting along famously, although I have passed my machine guns. Signally & visual exams. We still have a final exam a week from tomorrow. I have missed quire a few lectures on being immaculate, etc, but nevertheless I am going to try hard & pass.

I am enclosing a letter from George & also Mrs. Christie. Also a few snapshots that were taken from B.C.

The discipline here is becoming more strict every day. Quite a few of the boys have been sent back to their units, several fellows are being sent back to Canada. Etc.

So it does not take much to put the wind up the next of us poor chaps. HA. HA. We are moving over to to Exeter to morrow.

My new address will continue to be S ½ M.A. etc. Marshall bawls me out all the time for not writing longer letters by the truth is – There is so much to talk about. I possibly don’t know where to begin. Marshall & I are going to take some flashlight snap shot in our pajamas so shall send you one. 

With love to all.

How is Dad. Yourself & the kids.

Your loving Son

Willie.