A mind of peculiar judgment is required to find its chief satisfaction in the achievements of others. This is demanded of all instructors. Deprived of the tremendous incentive of contact with the enemy, isolated, as it were, in a daily repetition of duties that afford little variety, constantly speeding off others to that thrilling destination where they fain would be—others who owe to them their fitness to go—such is the every-day grind.
And yet how tremendously it has all counted! A large part of the work of the brigade was in preparing cadets to a point at which they were deemed worthy of flying instruction. Toward that honourable object was directed a vast amount of effort. Decorations were often subsequently won by pupils whose instructors plugged doggedly along the same old road. There was no publicity, and only junior—very junior rank. Here, therefore, is given earnestly and officially, the grateful thanks of the General Officer Commanding to those men who by their unfailing readiness and pluck have had so splendid a part in turning out the pilots the brigade has been privileged to send overseas.
[THE MEDICAL SERVICE.]
The R.A.F., Canada, is indebted to many Canadian authorities and organizations for assistance rendered, but to none is the debt greater than to the Canadian Army Medical Corps for supplying the personnel from which the medical service of the Royal Air Force has from time to time been built up. The request was made in January by the Imperial Government that the Canadian Militia Department should supply this service. Prompt action was taken, and from a small beginning there has been formed a complete corps of medical officers, medical orderlies and nurses, skilled not only in everyday practice but also in the special work called for at flying camps.
The original intention was to supply only a small camp hospital, with one medical officer and the necessary orderlies at the various aerodromes, but it was soon determined that the work of the Medical Corps covered a much wider range than was anticipated. Almost the first need was that of skilled orderlies who were specially trained in first aid. Owing to calls from overseas, the available number of men was very small, and it was found imperative that the senior medical officer of the R.A.F. provide the necessary training. Coincident with this came a further need of isolation hospitals, which, although the general health of the brigade was maintained at an unusually high standard, were found to be essential in order that the work of training might not suffer in the least degree.
MEDICAL OFFICER AND STAFF, DESERONTO.