Mechanics
The first duty of the R.F.C. comprised the securing of a continuous inflow of recruits, both mechanics and cadets, and while it was anticipated that difficulties would be encountered, local conditions as set forth below were such as to make the task unexpectedly arduous. The state of affairs in Canada, so far as concerns mechanics, was briefly as follows:—
(1) Recruiting for the C.E.F. was practically at a standstill. The country had been “worked out.”
(2) The R.F.C. was practically unknown in Canada.
(3) High wages were being paid to skilled workers.
(4) There was no organized recruiting system in use, each Canadian unit doing its own.
(5) A very large percentage of skilled mechanics were essential for the maintenance of aeroplanes and engines, and these were in great demand at very high wages on munitions.
(6) The fact that, in a large number of cases, men had to be transported for over 1,000 miles in order to be even interviewed, or medically examined, made recruiting both expensive and difficult.
The brightest point was the lively interest and very hearty coöperation of every officer of the Department of Militia and Defence, and of every officer of the Canadian Forces throughout the Dominion. This coöperation has been maintained throughout our work. Without it no success could have been attained. The spirit of good fellowship and help has been of inestimable value to all our recruiting officers, and later the same spirit, was encountered among the officials administering the Military Service Act, to whose work the operations of another force—engaged in recruiting men otherwise than through the Military Service Act organization, must have been a considerable trial. Instead of objections, the Corps encountered nothing but assistance.
R.A.F. Can.—Estimated Value of Rations Drawn from C.A.S.C.
Grand Total $1,406,809.00
At the end of January, 1917, recruiting offices were opened in Toronto and Hamilton, with a trade test party in each place. The latter was shortly withdrawn as being unproductive, and merged into a central test station at Toronto. Simultaneously, and owing to great distances to be travelled and to difficulties encountered in obtaining suitable accommodation and facilities for trade testing at other centres, it was decided to establish merely recruiting offices at outside stations; and offices were opened at Montreal, Winnipeg and Vancouver, each in charge of an experienced officer trained by ourselves, assisted by a staff of non-commissioned officers and men from England. Oral tests were conducted here, the practical examination being given after arrival in Toronto.
The question of publicity presented a problem, to solve which the following methods were employed:
(1) Display advertisements in newspapers (large dailies).
(2) Written items of news and interesting articles.
(3) Classified advertisements for trades in the various want advertising columns.
(4) Large posters of striking design used on bill-boards. These posters were designed by an advertising company.
This work was supplemented by addresses and recruiting meetings.
The cost of (4) was too high to be maintained, and the results of (1) and (2) were so discouraging in the first month that another scheme was evolved. As a result of a conference with the National Board, some 10,000 skilled workers who had volunteered for national service were circularized with attractive literature. From this form of publicity only 860 enlistments were obtained, extending over a period of nearly six months.
On investigation, it was found that the first method of publicity had been so long used by local Canadian Forces that the effect lacked novelty, whereas information conveyed in articles dealing with aviation always brought results. Since display advertisements, however, were a sure means of reaching the public, they were continued, inasmuch as they served to stimulate the interest of the newspaper, and thereby helped in the placing of news items.
The entry of the United States into the war made it possible to endeavour to recruit British subjects across the line. Quarters were secured in New York, and officers visited many of the larger towns, such as Chicago, Boston, Kansas City, St. Louis, Minneapolis, etc., where the British Recruiting Mission had offices, and gave every possible assistance. Occasional visits were paid to these points, except in the case of New York, where an officer was permanently stationed, and from New York came the bulk of the men enlisted in the United States. Altogether about 627 British subjects were thus enrolled.
Owing to the distances between centres and the scattered population, practically all applications for enlistment were dealt with by correspondence, whether from headquarters or out-stations. Transportation had then to be given to bring the applicant probably at least 300 miles for a Medical Board, after which, if successful in passing the oral tests, etc., he was transported to Toronto. This journey, in the case of a man enlisting in Vancouver, occupied four days and covered 2,500 miles. Sleeping accommodation was provided, also meals en route. None of these difficulties were encountered in England.
The Medical Boards placed at our disposal by the Department of Militia and Defence were accustomed to pass for military service, that is category “A.” For the purposes of the R.F.C., as it then was, men of lower category than “A” were quite suitable, as no pack had to be carried and there was little or no route marching. The composition of the brigade is, therefore, very largely of men not fit for active service, and who have been rejected time and time again by the C.E.F. At the outset, Boards absolutely refused to pass for us applicants of a lower medical category than “A,” this because the Board was held responsible for any man returned as unfit on arrival in England and charged with the cost of his transportation, etc. Further, the British practice of classifying men into “A,” “B,” “C,” “D,” and “E” categories was not known. Each assistant director of medical service required to be acquainted with our methods and standards, causing, in consequence, considerable delay.
A further problem was that of pay. Whilst the Corps rate was 15c. higher for skilled labour than the Canadian forces for unskilled, a very high standard could not be set for trade test. The first question of each recruit was: “What is the pay?” “How much will my wife get?” and such answers as the recruiting officer could give were not very reassuring. In contrast with the Canadian overseas man, the prospect was, in truth, hardly attractive. The wife of the latter, owing to the benefactions of the Canadian Patriotic Fund (subscribed unofficially by Canadians) received $20.00 per month and $5.00 for each child, in addition to a percentage of her husband’s pay. As against this the brigade allowance looked meagre. The relief can be realized, therefore, when, a little later, the authorities of the Patriotic Fund, cognizant of the importance of R.F.C. work, and that R.F.C. recruits were principally married men, extended their generosity to the brigade as regarding men of category “A,” who were eligible for overseas service. Here, too, a tribute must be paid to R.F.C. men outside this category and unable to enjoy this special benefit. It speaks highly for the patriotism of Canadians that these mechanics carried cheerfully on, though under great personal and financial disadvantages.
In the early part of 1918, a number of category “A” men were liberated for the purpose of joining the C.E.F. and proceeded overseas, thus causing considerable shortage of labour in the Corps. Further recruiting appearing impossible, female labour was employed in the capacity of civilian subordinates. It was at first thought that these subordinates would be used only in unskilled trades and office routine, but it was soon evident that they could be trained for simpler and lighter mechanical work. A separate section being formed to handle recruiting and administration, a large number of patriotic women volunteered for duty with the Air Force, of whom 1,200 were selected. Through their work the brigade was tided over a serious shortage of labour. Unaccustomed to aeroplane work, and unacquainted with military routine, they have universally performed sterling service.
From the very first, civilian female subordinates were employed at headquarters and other units in a clerical capacity. In the autumn of 1918 they might have been seen in any of the shops or camps, dressed in dusters, caps and overalls, taking down engines, grinding valves, stripping aeroplanes and doing all forms of manual labour heretofore always performed by men. At the Repair Parks alone, 135 women were employed at technical trades, while at the various camps nearly 600 were carrying on as mechanics. In the capacity of motor drivers they rendered excellent service. A large proportion of the cars throughout the brigade at the present time are driven by them.
Too much praise cannot be given to the women who have been employed in many varying capacities by the R.A.F. throughout Canada. They have given the greatest satisfaction, and done their work in the most conscientious manner possible. Furthermore, in spite of many predictions, they have caused no trouble whatsoever, and submitted themselves apparently without effort to the necessary discipline of the Force.
The following notes, re female subordinates, may be of interest, showing their distribution:—
| In Headquarters Offices and in various cities | 115 |
| Paymaster Department, Victoria St., Toronto | 36 |
| Recruits Depot, Jesse Ketchum, Toronto | 18 |
| No. 4 S. of A. University | 90 |
| Cadet Wing, Long Branch | 9 |
| Armament School, Hamilton | 14 |
| Aeroplane Repair Park, Toronto | 134 |
| Engine Repair Park, Toronto | 65 |
| Stores Depot, Toronto | 180 |
| Motor Transport Section, Toronto | 50 |
| Engineer Section, Toronto | 3 |
| School of Aerial Fighting, Beamsville | 91 |
| Forty-second Wing, Deseronto | 230 |
| Forty-third Wing, Leaside | 161 |
| ——– | |
| 1,196 |
At the time of the signing of the armistice, over 7,000 men had been recruited for the mechanical section of the Royal Air Force, Canada. Nearly fifty per cent. of these were recruited by correspondence, and as many as 15,000 applications were handled through recruiting headquarters and the various out-stations.
R.A.F. Can.—Recruiting Record of Cadets and Mechanics
Grand Total 16,663