From British Columbia Aviation School to the Royal Flying Corps: William McRae’s 1917 Letters

William McRae, a young pilot from Agassiz, British Columbia, offers a glimpse into his daily life during the First World War through his letters home to Canada. After learning to fly at the British Columbia Aviation School, William travelled overseas and joined the Royal Flying Corps to continue his aviation training.

In his letters home to his family he shares moments that are both routine and revealing, capturing the excitement of flight and military training as he prepares to fight in the war.

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.

British Columbia Aviation School Training and Beyond

William was an avid photographer who documented his journey as a pilot at the British Columbia Aviation School as well as when he was training for the Royal Flying Corps during the First World War. He routinely sent home snapshots to his family. The following photographs were taken by William between 1914-1916 while training in British Columbia.

William’s Royal Flight Corps Flight Logs

For William to pass his exams with the Royal Flying Corps he had to demonstrate that he had enough hours to qualify. Below are pages from his log which show his success and details of how he spent his time in the air preparing for war.

Family Support During the First World War

In his letters, William assures his family that he is having the time of his life. He mentions golfing, going to the theater, visiting relatives, and eating better than he ever had. No doubt his mother was anxious about her oldest son going to war. During this time Ambie championed the local Women’s Institute and Red Cross chapters to support the men at the front.

Even while her oldest son was overseas, Ambie McRae remained busy with both family and community life. With eight children still at home, there was never a shortage of news to share in her letters. During this time, she also travelled east with her daughter Isobel, who went to live with relatives in Montréal.

Back in Agassiz, William’s brother Hugo was learning the realities of farm life and regularly wrote to William keeping him up to date on family happenings, local events, and what the neighbouring farmers were doing

William’s Letter to Mother – May 26, 1917

W.G. McRae, Esq.
2^nd Lieut.  R.F.C.
39 Reserve Squad.
Montrose.

May 26/17

Dear Mother,

Such is life in the R.F.C. as a officer. Talk of rest etc. compared to our last course. I left Oxford yesterday a noon, had five hours in London and arrived well up here in the Highlands this morning. Reported to the C.O. and slept all after noon as I could not sleep on the train.

This is the nicest place I have been to yet. Although it is exceedingly quite. It is just what we really need. I was out to visit the aerodrome this evening & everybody is busy flying. There were over 50 officers applied for this place. But only Bob Main, myself & another fellow were the only ones who were posted here. Talk about luck.

This aerodrome is situated about 2 miles from Montrose & half way between the ocean (or north sea) and the city.

Bob & I have just been looking over the golf links. Tennis lawns etc. and have decided to go in for them. Our next topic is “meals” The best & absolutely the best that can be had and they taste that way too. There are short of waiters so when we enter the men do – not grab our plates but calmly help ourselves to what we want as there is several 4 or 5 dishes of the same thing.

Bob Main (Who Dad knows) is one of the Vancouver Boys. It seems he has been all over this part of the country & knows both relatives & non relatives all over. So we are going to hear it some week and visit his relatives in Edinburgh and Aberdeen.

We passed over the third or fourth bridge this morning and say it was certain the best piece of skilled workmanship I have ever seen. Or in fact anybody has ever seen. It certainly was great.

The climate here is much colder than it is down south. Say I should like to see the kilts going over the broken heather I’ll – they could raise the dust. Say I forgot ! Tell Dad the Bag pipes sound much nicer & more w— up here than in Scotland & let me say they certainly know how to play them here.

The machines in this place are the preliminary types. And will be very easy to fly although I have been told to take my time as rushing never did any good to any body. I hear that this squadron is the best in Great Britain. I believe it is too because you can do just as you like or in other words you are nearly your own boss except when it comes

We have machine gun shooting. Aerial observation or pin pointing & a higher or advanced course in wireless where we have to receive nearly twice as much as we did in Oxford.

I have not heard from Maynard yet and as I have quit writing to him. I hope he will answer them some time soon. I did not get to see Mrs. Chester although I passed by there.

As I didn’t get much sleep last night I think I will turn in.

With love to all.

Your loving son

Willie

How is Dad —- & bunch & yourself. Hoping you are all well.

With remembrances to the Fooks.

William’s Letter to Mother – June 3, 1917

W.G. McRae, Esq.
2^nd Lieut.  R.F.C.
39 Reserve Squad.
Montrose. Scot.
June 3/17

Dear Mother.

I received your most welcomed letter yesterday dated May 7/17. And also Helen’s letter of the 10^th. Say where did you have that —- picture taken with herself & the other two —- in. I simply cut her picture out with my knife & kept it while I thre the others away. An absolute disgrace to have her picture taken with the others. Tell her so!.

So Cousin “Link” has decided to go back to the prairies has he. I’ll bet he is the same old kid. Yes it is too bad he is deaf. I hear Tog is getting to be quite a farmer apparently. I hope he keeps it up as I don’t want to milk any more. Ha! Ha! See what Tog says.

So you say Maynard has heard from me. It is a wonder he does’nt write & acknowledge my letters. Yes! So do I hope dad gets Captain Logan’s job. Business must seem very slack at present. I think this place is real nice. Bob & I play golf every afternoon that the weather permits. Oh. Say. Have you any relations in Aberdeen. I think grand mother had some by the name of Munro’s had’nt she. Well. I am only a few miles from Aberdeen & expect to visit it quite often by air when I transfer to the 18^th  Which is also here. As the 18^th R.S. is more advanced & the pupils take cross country flights all over the country one fellow went over 300 miles away. Took his time which he enjoyed for 3 weeks & returned one day O.K.

I was up this morning at 5 A.M. went out to the aerodrome but as the flying was a wash out I returned & had a game of golf before breakfast.

This aerodrome I think I told you is the largest in the British Empire. I also the best equipped. They let the students take their time etc. Which I think is a great idea. The weather lately has been very rough &changeful so I have only been able to get in a few minutes since arriving here.

One Miss is certainly splendid to of course we get as much to car (Including after noon tea) as we like. The bull pen day is 5/6 which amounts to over $41.00 per month which leaves us between $3 & 4 each month. A little more qet use to get when was a cadet. I have heard of Canadian back pay yet but hope to do so soon.

So Freeman was killed at Vimy Ridge. Has Mrs. McCallum received my letter yet? I have been trying to grow a mustache for the last – months & finally got disappointed with it to day & shave it off. It consists of nothing less than a few wire bristles. So I shall have to wait for a few more months before I try my next one. Bob& I were at the pictures the other night & there were exactly the same as I saw in Van last winter. George Chester was saying he met S. Lovell over in the trenches. I suppose he is the same S. S. Marshall who was my room mate at Oxford. Has was sent to Huntington to a school there. I had a letter from him the other day & he seems to like it very well. I am afraid I haven’t much more to say for the present. So aurevoir.

Love to all.

Your aff. Son.
W.G.M.

How are the Fooks. Nickie & the bunch. Tell Tog this letter will do for him, so he may write again also the —-

Hello Mutt.

William’s Letter to Brother Hugo- June 4, 1917

No 39 R. Squadron,
Royal Flying Corps,
Montrose, Scot.
June 4/17

Hello Tog.

I received your little letter quite a while ago & as I haven’t heard from you since I suppose I will have to write before I receive another letter.

Well Hugo! This is a fine life. I have to get up every morning now at 3 A.M. just at day break. Have some tea (mind you I haven’t to milk any cows. Thank goodness) jump into the car & race to the aerodrome.

I was up this morning for ½ hour and my feet fell quite numb when I landed. We dress up in big leather coats crash helmets, big Russian boots, long g—–. Etc. This morning I only reached the height of about 2000’ & felt quite warm. The busses are quite safe & we call them cows because they are slow and make about 45-50 miles per hr.

We have (Bob & myself) an old—- ? Who gets drunk every time you tip him & raises a h- – l of a row in the next room.

I was orderly officer the other day & had to attend all the news parade. Also I was acting pay-master & paid out over £200 or $1000.00 in shillings & pence to about 500 men or more. When I finished paying them which took me quite a while, I was exactly right. This is about the 2^nd time the pay & come out correctly since the fellows can remember. Some Job!!

How is Paul getting along also Mutt. I suppose you are milking the calves. Pigs. Etc. now. Ha! Ha!? Also the goats. Eh What. You are a poor stiff to let the little Harrison school boys beat you in Baseball! Shame !!
Well Tog I must Say Bye Bye as I have to go to lunch.
Love to all.

Remember me to the Fooks. Etc.
How are the murphies Tog. You old Farmer.
Say Tog I will have to teach you how to play golf I come return. A fine game.
Joke-

When is a farmer a farm.
Ans = When he milks cows.!! Ha!

Give my love to the girls Tog.

Aurevoir
Hello Mutt

—- Scribbling

William’s Letter to Mother – June 10, 1917

No. 39 R. Squadron,
Royal Flying Corps, Montrose.
June 10/17

Dear Mother.

I received your welcomed letters a few days ago also Vernice’s & Sylvia’s and you may be sure I was quite pleased indeed to receive them. I am still flying the old cows. The Maurice Farman’s and intend taking my solos tonight sometime Hurrah! I have only had a little over 1 hour Dual so-far which is considered marvelous fast etc. but I am trying not to say that I have had previous training. A few of the boys were talking of my great rapidity last night & Captain Reid my instructor says. You have had previous training McRea have you not. I just smiled & said “certainly not. “

I forgot to tell you I had a letter from both Mrs. Roach & Eva McEwen. They were both very nice so I appreciate them very much. It has been slightly cloudy the last few days  but this morning turned out fine. Not a cloud in the sky. So they are talking of going swimming this after-noon. Guess I will have to go also. I have quite a few snap shots and as I am getting some more I shall send them to you in an album.

There was a sort of a circus came to Montrose the other day which consists of He. Ha’s! or donkey. Mules. Marry go rounds. Shooting galleries etc. The best of all was the little colloid halls which move up & down on a little spout of water and you were supposed to shoot at the balls & knock them off the sprouts. Well I shot 5 out of the six balls down nearly every time. We also threw wooden balls at cocoa-nuts mounted on sticks about 60’  away and I struck two of them off. And as we struck the nuts down they were given to us. So I suffer the consequence is that Bob & I have been sick for two days.

The instructors were talking of taking the bunch of us to —-on a picnic this after-noon in the machines. (Love to all)

News is scarce at present.
So shall have to close.
Your loving son .

2/Lt W.G.M.

N.B.
I shall have over 2 mos more flying machine given practiced arial obs etc.
yet before going to France or Egypt.