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.
