Training for War in Oxford: William McRae’s 1917 WWI Letters from England

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.

This series of letters is 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.

The Human Side of World War One Training

In Early 1917, William was training in Oxford with the Royal Flying Corps overseas to fight in the war. Although he is about to enter the war, William writes that he and the other trainees had very little idea what was actually happening in the war. Rumors were spreading, but they were desperate for actual news.

When people imagine young cadets training for war, they often picture intense military training and the overwhelming awareness of what they are about to be apart of. In contrast, William writes about drinking tea while at the Y.M.C.A and taking the moment to write home, attending cathedral tours, worrying about exams, and going to the movies. In his letters he sounds more anxious about not hearing from his family for months than he is about the role he is about to play in the war.

The war dominated the media and consumed much of the world’s attention, and yet for those preparing for the war, a lot of daily life is the same as it was. They were still learning to fly their machines and have fun nights out whenever they could.

William and the Boys at Oxford

Taken in 1917, William and his fellow trainees in Oxford go for a ride around town.

From left to right: William McRae, E. Rayner, F. Smith, E. Dower, S. Perkins, J. Hoagson, and J.P. Crawford. The sign in the background reads, “the Duke of Connaughts Own, 15th Overseas Battalion, Regimental Canteen.”

William and his friends balancing on a log wearing loin cloths.

William in front of a sculpted hedge in Oxford.

William’s Letter to Mother – March 18, 1917

F. Company 6^th O.C. B. 
Christ Church Oxford. Eng. 

March 18, 1917

Dear Mother. –

It is Sunday again and, as I am at the Y.M.C.A. at present, having tea, I thought I would spend a few minutes in writing letters. –

Nothing exciting has happened since I last wrote to you, we had a mid term exam and I got 91 marks for my papers. 

I received a letter from Cousin Wilson a few days ago. He left for France last Thursday. His brother Willie is still here in Eng.  And he expects to go over soon. 

We have half holidays every Wednesdays and Saturdays. Yesterday afternoon Bob Main & I went out to  an airdrome which is about two miles out from the city. 

I was quite surprised to hear, the other day, that we were only half way through our course. The Drill etc. is monotonous and at times makes me think I will never get through my exams, but probably I am too impatient. 

The ____ of Christ Church announced this morning at service that he would be willingly to take a few of us boys through the cathedral which was a monastery way back in 450 A.D. the stone work etc. it is most marvelously laid out and plastered. 

News around here flourishes in the form of false rumors. So as they are not very important I shall not relate them. 

Love to all. –

Hoping you are all in the best of health. 

Your loving son. 

Willie. 

William’s Letter to Mother – March 25, 1917

Cadet W. G. McRae

6^th O.C.B.
Christ Church 
Oxford, England

March 25/17

Dear Mother. –

Time passes slowly, and I am still with the 6^th O.C.B. The infantry may suit most men but I myself am getting fed-up with it. I may be a bit impatient but will certainly be glad when I pass on to my technical courses, which, from what I can gather is to be sometime within the next two weeks. 

In the above lines the reader would take me to be a person disgusted with my work but the real truth is that, I haven’t received a letter from Canada yet. I have written to George, Maynard, Carl since I have been here. – have not received a letter from them yet. 

I have just finished reading a piece in the paper (Canadian) which makes me ask how dad and ____ are getting along. 

I was at a motion picture show yesterday with one of room mates and enjoyed the pictures immensely. This being the third show I have seen since my arrival. 

One of the boys have had two letters from Canada in the past weeks  “damaged by sea water” or in other words torpedoed so if you miss any of mine any week you will know what has become of it. 

Marshall one of the boys in my room was up town this morning & met the Hon. Mr. Borden of Canada & he is coming over to the College this afternoon to see us all. The Canadian Boys. Well, I have done well for the present in the way of writing, so must closing. Hoping everybody is well. 

Love to all, 

Your loving son, 

Willie

With remembrance to Fooks, etc.

William’s Letter to Mother – April 1, 1917

Cadet W. McRae

6^thO.C.B.
Christ Church
Oxford, Eng. 

April 1, 1917

Dear Mother. 

I received your most sought letter of the 6th/17. Yesterday and you may guess how glad I felt when it arrived. I also received Maynard’s address and am going to write him in a few minutes. I wrote to him before but as it was the wrong address, I doubt if he ever received it. So Jag Is making a hobby of reading electrical literature here. Does he still mi__ to K__?

The climate over here is very cold compared to the B.C. climate at this time of the year. We were drilling in a snowstorm all yesterday morning and the consequence is I have another cold. Marion wrote quite a letter. I answered it just a few moments ago. It was quite nice to receive it because I didn’t think she would write. “talking from the family stand power”

I am enclosing a couple of snap shots of his roar when he visited us about a week ago. He delivered a short speech from the people of Canada.

Say Mother –

I have not received any parcels from the Red Cross so far but will send them a card of thanks when I receive it. I had a letter from Aunt Katie the other day and talk about questions. I don’t believe I will ever be able to answer them. She is also sending me a box ect. So George Green, Bill Hardy, etc. have enlisted. What happened ” Conscription”

How are the Fooks, Allens, Roaches, etc. I suppose – Allen is doing all the plowing around Agassiz this spring. I am sorry to hear that Joe Whelpton passed away. I can’t say much more so will wait until I receive another letter. 

Hoping everybody is well. Nichol, Dad, & the bunch.

Your loving son, 

Willie. 

William’s Letter to Mother – April 8, 1917

Cadet W. G. McRae

6 O.B.E.
Christ Church
Oxford England.

April 8, 1917

Dear Mother,

I received Vernice’s letter a week ago and was very pleased to hear from her. I have heard quite a bit about some parcels which I have not yet received.

The climate is becoming much milder although it snows quite frequently.

We were on a long u— march last Thursday and returned nearly exhausted after four hours of visual training. We were also on another route march about two weeks ago. Climbed up hills etc. and dug trenches for a few hours and returned in time to have lunch @ 4 PM.

We are having our final exams tomorrow and leave Christ Church to take up our next course on Thursday although my address will continue to be Christ Church.

Our Company had a baseball game yesterday against the remaining four companies and of course defeated them by a few runs. I was playing in my usual place behind the stick.

Did I tell you Aunt Kate was sending me a parcel. She said she sent a parcel to Wilson and Willie every month so I suppose I am to expect one also. She said something about sending for Frances or Helen. I think Helen would do better because Aunt Kate would be the one to take the lazy streak out of her. Ha. Ha. Ha! I’ll bet Helen doesn’t think so.

I will have to Mr. ___ and Miss. Flank sometime soon.

The fellows, I chum with. R. Marshall a room mate of mine and I go to the show quite regular sometimes twice a week. And the weeks certainly fly past although it seems several years since I left Liverpool on the train for London. It is certainly a night’s ride I’ll never forget. Below __& no heat in the car. I even had to take off my boots & sit on my feet.

All the boys here sold their civilian suits so I thought I would do the same thing & guess how much I got for all my clothes. 34.1. although I got quite a bit more for mine than some of the boys.

The reason I sold them was because I hadn’t any place to put them and it would be useless carrying them around with my army clothes.

Yes I saw all about the Hops fire in a Canadian paper which I think is published in London.

I am running short of news again so must close with love to all.

Is Nickie Allan planting spuds yet?

Willie.   

Tell Vernice I appreciated her letter very much. I will send both her & Sylvia a R. F. C. Book soon.

Wm.