Boxing took always a prominent part in the athletics of the Corps, and representatives included the feather-weight champion of Canada, the middle-weight champion of America, the 115 lbs. champion of Canada and the welter-weight champion of the West.
At Borden, aquatic sports were prominent, owing to the fact that an admirable swimming tank had been constructed at this unit. In an aquatic contest the plunge for distance was won, not unnaturally, by a pearl diver from Jamaica, who plunged fifty feet.
Cricket, although a continual source of pleasure and interest was, so far as concerns the brigade, under a handicap, owing to lack of practice and the impossibility of analyzing the merits of individual players. There was discovered, however, a valuable acquisition in an ex-Kent County colt, who was a first-rate class bowler, and was backed up by an extremely steady sergeant-major. Both achieved many successes during the year.
Outstanding in the history of R.A.F. sports are three events. The first was the first annual Sports Day held on August 17th, 1918, at the Island Stadium, Toronto. The second the joint C.E.F. and R.A.F. Sports at Exhibition Camp on September 7th, and third the National Championship Meet at the Great Lakes Training Centre, Chicago, from 20th to 23rd of September, 1918. The first meet, at the Island Stadium was a great success, and will be long remembered by those who participated. The day was perfect, the entries numerous (these of course having been subject to prior elimination tests at the various units) and an excellent track was available. The 456 entries received for various events were reduced to a suitable number, and some 12,000 people filled the great tiers of benches which surround the ground. Both in point of records made, and in the keen sportsmanlike spirit in which the whole affair was carried out, this meet will long remain as representative of a contest exhibiting the very best desirable quality. A Beamsville cadet carried off the championship cup for the greatest number of points, a remarkable athlete from Dartmouth College. This contestant won no less than five firsts.
R.A.F. REPRESENTATIVE SOCCER TEAM, 1916.
“WELL OVER!”
THE CHAMPION.