Reported Missing: The Letters of William McRae (1917)

These letters from William McRae, a Royal Flying Corps pilot from Agassiz, British Columbia, follow his transition from training in England to active service in France during the First World War. Writing to his family, he describes flying, friendship, excursions, and daily life.

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.

William Completes Flight Training

William completes his flight training and is excited to finally be able to be on active service. He notes that although his Royal Flying Corps crew originally consisted of 50 % Canadians, he is they only one in his scout squadron. He has prepared to be a scout by learning to fly some of the fastest airplanes at the time. The focus of his military training was more on flying and less on being on active duty.

Crashes at the Castle

William reflects on an earlier time when there was a crash landing at the castle. The bond he created that day continued as he planned to spend his leave visiting the family. Learning to fly such a new machine like the airplane came with many crashes and you can tell in his writing that it just adds to his excitement. William documented the many crashes in the photographs below.
Crashes and Castles: William McRae’s WWI Letters (1917)

William’s Photographs

William took many photographs that give us a look at what he was seeing and experience. The following photographs are some of my favourites. Many of these were still only negatives until I started working on this story. The first photograph is one of his silliest and shows off his fun side.

Flying Log

William’s Letter to Mother – September 1, 1917

Somewhere in France

# 1.A.D. Pool
R.F.C.
France. Sept 1/17

Ma Chere Mere.

I am very sorry to say that I have not had any time to write you since I was in Nottingham. But never the less I shall make up for it now.

I am now billeted quite close to the lives in a little church town and have quite a dainty bedroom all to myself. I arrived here several days ago from England and are able already to speak French quite fluently. I spent two nights in London and took the little girl, whom I met in Oxford just across the shed from the college to Zig Zag & Chu Chu Chow two of the best shows in London.

This girl is a great grand daughter of William Wallace the great Scotch patriot and her father is at present a staff major at the war office.  Maynard F! is just a few miles from here so will have to write him a letter tonight also G. Chester.

I went to a clothing store today and paid fifty Frances ($10.00) for a suit of silk under wear. It is so very much warmer here than woolen under clothes.

It is now 11.45 p.m. so I will have to ——. But as soon as I find out how much I really can say, I will write a long letter. With love from your loving son,

William

William’s Letter to Mother – September 7, 1917

I have not seen Maynard yet!

Somewhere in France

Dear Mother.

I received your welcome letter yesterday dated July 6/17 addressed to 39^th sq Montrose. Well! I have been to half a dozen squadrons since then and aim as best in sunny France. I am at present billeted in a little town with another Canadian named Taylor from Vancouver, who was Ted Brown’s pal. We are having quite a pleasant time. Of course you know there are exceptions to all rules.

The weather these last few days has been very warm indeed. Therefore quite a bit of activity. Do you remember me saying something about having a forced landing near a castle in Scotland. Well I received a letter from them the other day and they want me to send them my address so they can forward a parcel once in a while. They also want me to go up there on my first leave. So isn’t it very nice of them. And I will certainly go there too as they have such a nice castle & a real moat around it too.

Well I am beginning to speak French quite fluently. And can make out what these from eating pea soups say sometimes. Although they charge you about ten times too much for anything. Well I have bought over fifteen pounds of silk under clothes “six-shooters” gloves, socks lately.

Well I must bid you another aurevoir as it is supper time.

Love to all.

William’s Letter to Mother – September 18, 1917

On Active Service!

Sept. 18/17

Dear Mother. –

Just a few lines to state that I am quite well and enjoying life as usual. I have not heard from you for three weeks; None never the less I will receive a ship load of letters one of these days.

My new address is No. 19. Sqdn. R.F.C./B.E.F. France. This squadron consists of a very nice bunch of chaps and I get along with them quite well. I was up for quite awhile this morning buzzing about, but as the weather go very bad I was forced to descend.I forgot to ask you last time if Ray Yuel had enlisted yet?

Do the Fooks hear from Maynard very often. I am going to try and get down & see him one of these days. We have a private cinema-graph here and talk about comical pictures they certainly great a great laughter.

This is a scout squadron and I appear at the only Canadian here. Isn’t that —- because the flying corps consists of nearly of 50% of Canucks… Kindly excuse pencil scribbling.

Love to all.

Your loving son,

Willie

Give regards to the Fooks etc.