Royal Flying Corps Squadron Training

William McRae is eager to complete his squadron training for the Royal Flying Corps so that he can go on active service to France. Read his candid letters home to his mother for an insightful look at what life was like away from home.

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.

Flying the Fastest Aircraft in the Royal Flying Corps

A scout was a single-seat fighter aircraft that pilots flew for reconnaissance missions. Being selected for these missions was prestigious and reflects the high level of skill that William had achieved. The Bristol Scout was a single seated biplane that was very fast. It was used by the Royal Flying Corps to scout and be the “eye in the sky” for those on the ground. The Sopwith Pup was famous for it’s handling and was the first aircraft to successfully land on a moving ship.

Confidence is essential for military pilots and William did not lack confidence. He brags how he was able to loop ten times in succession and that he trains with the best pilots he has ever seen. Although there is a fine line between confidence and overconfidence, the Royal Flying Corps pilots often embraced the risk.

In 1917 airplanes were still a relatively new invention. William’s hometown of Agassiz wouldn’t even see their first airplane land until 1919. The “Peggy” pictured below landed at the Experimental Farm. Also pictured, “Ginger Coates” was the first plane to land on the nearby Harrison Lake.

Flight Log

William’s flight logs show he is getting ever closer to completing his training. Soon he will leave the safety of his barracks and join other pilots in the sky over France.

Another Agassiz Man Joins the Royal Flying Corps

Although William has his doubts about the new cadet from Agassiz, John Singleton Fozzard, little does he know that Fozzard will be hold up. A few years younger than William, John enlisted in the military in 1917 at the age of 18. He served with the Royal Canadian Air Force for two years before receiving his discharge in August 1919. Upon returning home, he met and married Helen Westberg of Minnesota and moved to Calgary. He lived until the age of 84 when he died in Nanaimo, British Columbia.

A Young Man Eager for What Comes Next

By the summer of 1917, William McRae had spent months adjusting to military life in England and Scotland. His letter reveal a young man who genuinely loved flying and embraced every opportunity that came with life overseas. Between training flights he attended social events, visited friends, played sports, went to the cinema, and explored the countryside.

Yet beneath the enjoyment and excitement William conveyed to his family back home, his training had a serious purpose that his mother was all too aware of. Every hour he logged in the air brought him one step closer to qualification and active service. As his training neared completion, the prospect of crossing to France and entering the war was rapidly becoming a reality.

William’s Letter to Mother – July 30, 1917

Lieut. W.G. McRae
45^th R.S.  R.F.C.
South Carlton
Linol__ Eng.

July 30/17

Dear Mother.

It is now nine o’clock and I have just returned from Mrs Chesters having been away since Friday morning. I certainly had quite a pleasing time. They have a little girl about Glady’s age & size and she is a regular tuff. Mrs Chester is fine although I do not care for Mr Chester. He may be O.K. but he seems to rough etc. to suit me.

I reached the squadron Friday morning having travelled all night from Montrose. This is s—- squadron and it appeals to me very much. The machines are very small & highly powerful with a speed of 140 & 150 miles per hour. Which of-course is very much faster than the C.P.R.

I received a very nice letter from Mrs. Fooks the other day so shall have to answer it as soon as I get settled down again.

I shall be there for one month at least. Then I go to Seol for a fortnight for aerial gunnery. Then two weeks @cloydon near London on the home defense.  Then ten days holiday which I intend to spend up north @ Weddenspoon’s shooting game etc. Then… “The but..” The Russians seem to be entering very quietly I think Japan will have to show them a little opposition before long.

Well mother news is scarce & this fountain pen is empty.
So Aurevoir.

Your loving son.

Love to all Willie.

William’s Letter to Mother – August 5, 1917

54^th D. S. R.F.C.
Hahlaxton
Grantham Lines
England Aug 5/17

Dear Mother
It is now one week since I arrived from Montrose and am just commencing to get accustomed to this place although to tell you the truth I am really disgusted with this aerodrome.

I was up for a few minutes this evening and did a few stunts, which we aren’t suppose to do here, and the consequences are that I have to report to the station C.O. to morrow. also Frith.

This makes my second time since I have been here , in which I have been reported to the orderly room. The first time I was ten minutes late for the 9 A.M. parade which is an absolute farse. The Canadians here, of which there are plenty take no lip from the little Charlies. One can told the C.O. to go plump to etc.

I am on Bristol scouts now. They are certainly nice machines to fly & stunt on.

I have not received any of your letters for nearly three weeks now, so there should be quite a big mail one of these days. I hear they have given up the work on the aviation fields in B.C. It is quite a pity too.

Oh! Say! I met Bishop de Perc___’s son who is here. He knows Mr. —– quite well and is quite a nice fellow full of the devilment etc. There are several fellows here from the 68^th F. Artillery Van. And they knew Coates and Claude Wilson quite well. We have a little monkey mascot here, also a little pup. Anytime any body chases the pup, the monkey will give pursuit. Which is very comical.

I shall have to write to my old flight C.O. at Montrose Capt. Henderson by name & I give him all details of this squadron I can just imagine how he will laugh. They won’t let you stunt here, but once in Montrose I looped ten times in succession etc. I went up another time to try and see how many loops I really could make. But as I finished my fourth loop the seat gave away and I was quite intended to sit on the bottom of the fuselage.

I have at last put my wings up & they appear to be quite nice. I think I told you that they had a picture palace here; Well! I have had several opportunities to enter it which of course I did & I might say it is quite nice very pleasant.

Well Mother! I must close for the present as my news is exhausted.

Love to all.

Your loving son,

Willie

Just another page in conclusion.

They also keep turtles here. Called Earwigs by name. It keeps me & my room mate busy every night before we retire for fully one hour killing these beastly pests, they are about 1 ½” long, black, with crab’s-claws —– on their tails. They get through all your clothes, make you lousy. Ha Ha. I think I will take sever pet ones back with me for Aunt Alice, —-!

Well I must say Aurevoir for the second time as I have to take a bath. No not a bath, but a baw-th.

These earwigs pull the cotton-batten out of your ears & raises a terrible havock.

Your son. Willie.

William’s Letter to Mother – August 11 , 1917

54^th T.S.  R.F.C.
Harlaxton
Grantham Line’s
Aug 11^th/17

Dear Mother,

I received your letter this morning dated July 15. & was pleased to hear that you were all well also that Dads boils were in a state of recovering. I also had a letter from my little friend in Coquitlam and a nice letter from Mrs R. G.

Yes Mother I received your two cakes while I was with the 18^th The first one was “post mortem” while the other was fine. You said something about Mrs. Elliot & Aunt Kate sending something too. Well! I am sorry to say I have not as of yet received them.

You said something about being careful. Well to tell the truth the most reckless you are the better. So as I am so quite so I think everything will be O.K.

I was taxiing out from the aerodrome on the ground today at a speed of 2 ½ M.P.H. while the wind was blowing a regular gale. Well the wind just picked both me & the machine up & placed us upside down with care. My! It was comical. I had the pleasure of sitting upside down for about a minute. Strapped in of course. This machine is a Sopwith Pup & makes about 1 30 M.P.H. I looped it only 5 times last night & it is certainly very nice to fly.

So Bell has at last gone East. Supper is ready, Aurevoir.

Love to all,

Your loving Son.

W.G.M.