been impossible to find a scene of operations better organized than
this Repair Park, or one of which the output was more uniformly
dependable and mechanically satisfactory.
[Illustration: MAN HOUR PRODUCTION]
[Illustration: MACHINES PASSED THROUGH
R.A.F. CAN.--AEROPLANE REPAIR PARK]
[Illustration: OFFICERS AND STAFF--AEROPLANE REPAIR PARK.]
[Illustration: OFFICERS AND STAFF--STORES DEPOT.]
STORES DEPOT.
Stores Depot has been the general receiving, distributing and
clearing house for all supplies and equipment used by the brigade,
and it is estimated that between 20,000 and 30,000 different types of
articles and appliances have been carried in its spacious premises.
Provision of this organization was recognized as an imperative
necessity at the very inception of the Corps. Its procedure has
been from the start greatly assisted by the fact that the Aviation
Department of the Imperial Munitions Board has acted as purchasing
agent, and has always placed its unique facilities at the service of
the R.A.F. and secured for the latter the very best possible terms
and deliveries procurable. In order to reduce as far as possible the
labor imposed upon the Imperial Munitions Board, the requirements
of each unit for a definite length of time were estimated, grouped
and submitted as one request. It will be understood that these
requirements covered all needs from socks to propellers. This
procedure is termed “provisioning.”
Purchased material, being received at Stores Depot, is subject to a
minute inspection, and no payments are made by the Munitions Board
until notification has been received from the inspection department
that the articles received are in classification and quantity exactly
what has been ordered. If this centralizing of receiving work should
be considered in any way unnecessary, it has only be to pointed
out that the receipt of purchased material is thereby enormously
simplified, and the duty of inspection is unified in one specially
qualified organization.
It is easily seen that without extreme care Stores Depot might have
accumulated an enormous quantity of innumerable articles, quantities
far beyond actual requirements of the various units for whom they
were purchased. In consequence, the practice has invariably been to
compile a schedule covering the needs for six months of each branch
of the service, and confine the stocks carried to these amounts.
The amount of work discharged by Stores Depot has been probably not
thoroughly appreciated, even by the various branches of the brigade.
Records show an average receipt per week for the last year of some
250 shipments, or between thirty or forty a day. These shipments
range from one case to seventy or eighty cases each, while from the
commencement of Stores to November, 1918, there have been placed with
the Aviation Department of the Imperial Munitions Board some 9,000
requisitions, each of which represents an average of ten different
types of articles, each requisition in turn has been covered by from
one to ten orders placed by the Munitions Board, while every order
has been covered by from one up to as high as one hundred invoices.
The responsibility of Stores Depot has involved not only receipt and
distribution of all supplies required by the brigade, but also the
maintenance of a form of record which will enable the government
auditors to trace the entire history of any article which has passed
through this organization, from the date of the order given for its
purchase up to the point at which it has reached the end of its
serviceable life and been written off.
It will, of course, be understood that supplies have been sent to the
various wings only upon a request being made by the latter, and it
is furthermore necessary that the type and amount of the equipment
which is being asked for coincide with the provision Stores Depot are
authorized to make, and the rate of consumption which is laid down as
being proper for the particular service involved. If, on the other
hand, any purchase is necessary of articles not carried as standard,
special authority is required to be granted before action is taken.
[Illustration: WINGS AND RUDDERS.
SPARES.]
[Illustration: PART OF STORES DEPOT.]
The move to Texas of a section of the Corps in October, 1917, and the
return of that section to Canada in April, 1918, threw additional
responsibility on Stores Depot organization, and shipments which
involved as many as twenty carloads per day were frequently sent out,
the total value of articles thus forwarded being over $2,000,000.
It was also of extreme importance that on the return of the Aerial
Gunnery School to its permanent quarters at Beamsville, this unit
should find itself equipped with the involved and often highly
technical scheduled supplies required for its special duty, and it
is to be recorded that this provision was admirably foreseen and
supplied.
In the Stores Depot, as well as in all other units, excellent service
has been rendered by lady civilian subordinates, and in October no
less than 184 were on the strength of this unit. There was required,
of course, the special training of those hitherto unskilled in these
particular duties, but the result has amply justified the trouble
taken. Over and above the civilian subordinates, there were on the
strength 17 officers and 217 other ranks. All have contributed to
a notable degree to the success of the work of other units, which
without a constant dependable supply of necessary equipment would
have been soon rendered ineffective.
THE PAY OFFICE.
The Pay Officer arrived in Canada on the 11th February, 1917, with
four non-commissioned officers of the Imperial Army Pay Corps and
eight boxes of army books and forms, the latter, however, being
practically useless. Canadian conditions were vastly different from
those in England.
A suitable office was located at 20 Victoria Street. The Pay Officer
then immediately notified the press of his arrival and address, and
work began on February 17th, necessary funds being drawn from the War
Office through the British Remount Commission in Montreal.
Owing to values in Canada varying widely from those prevailing in
England, it was essential to tread very warily regarding the fixing
of rates of pay and allowances and innumerable other points known
only to those who have experience in an Army Pay Office.
Once in the swing, and after numerous conferences and interviews with
Imperial and Canadian authorities, the department became a hive of
industry. Its extraordinary growth may be seen from the following
table:
Total Cash Total Cash No. of No. of
Month expended on issued to Sub- cheques
all services Sub-accountants accountants issued
February, 1917 $ 2,000.00 $ 1,500.00 2 26
July, 1917 236,572.90 152,812.14 19 1354
January, 1918 588,610.97 375,164.47 19 2926
July, 1918 782,383.76 469,291.57 18 4036
The number of claims for separation allowance to wives of cadets,
warrant officers and other ranks paid in February, 1917, was fifteen.
At present 1,579 claims are issued every month. Similarly the
payments to dependents have increased during the same period from 2
to 1,684. The expenditure incurred for the above services to the end
of November, 1918, is approximately $1,200,000.
[Illustration: PAY OFFICE STAFF.]
[Illustration: 90TH SQUADRON, CAMP RATHBUN.]
The total number of cadets, warrant officers, non-commissioned
officers and airmen who have been dealt with through the Department
has reached the total of 18,232.
The total expenditure by the Pay Officer on all services from
February, 1917, to December 31, 1918, has been $12,555,000.
For the reader’s further information, all units hold sub-accounts
with the Pay Officer for the payment of their personnel, each
sub-accountant rendering a monthly statement, properly vouched, to
show how the money advanced has been disposed of.
The Pay Officer’s further duties involve also the keeping of each
man’s account on a ledger sheet, showing clearly by monthly periods
the credits due and the debits made against each account. In
addition, a ledger account is kept of the amounts due and paid to
the wives and dependents of airmen. The Pay Office also assumes the
payment and examination of all railway warrants, and all rations
in kind issued to all ranks. This includes the adjustment between
the Imperial and U.S. Governments for rations and supplies issued
in Canada and Texas under the reciprocal training agreement. The
examination and payment of all accounts from civilian authorities for
damage to private property on account of crashes and breakdowns of
aircraft and mechanical transport falls to this department.
The Victory Loan of 1917, was by arrangement with the Pay Officer,
inasfar as the R.A.F. was concerned, paid for by instalments through
allotment from the men’s accounts. The total of $350,000 was
subscribed in this manner.
As to the staff, one officer and four non-commissioned officers were
responsible for the training of an ever-increasing personnel, and
the effort was made to utilize each man’s civilian experience to the
utmost. Bank clerks and accountants who enlisted into the R.A.F.
were, upon request, usually allotted for duty with this department,
thus ensuring efficient ground work. Each was thoroughly schooled,
promotion by merit being the incentive. This practice has always
been adhered to, and has been found most satisfactory. The total of
men clerks is now 38, in charge of a flight clerk. There are but two
officers.
The female subordinates were mostly obtained from the public schools
and colleges, and, after training, their work has been as duly
recognized as that of the men. Most have been with the department
for more than twelve months. This speaks well for their work and
efficiency. The female staff numbers 41, with one lady superintendent
in charge.
It is desired in conclusion to point out that the demobilization
of the Force in Canada has seriously taxed the efforts of this
office, but, taking past experience as a guide, no trouble is being
experienced in disposing of the tremendous detail involved in
returning the corps to civil life.
[Illustration: TOP OVERHAUL.
TOP OVERHAUL.]
[Illustration: MEN’S KITCHEN--CAMP BORDEN.]
[Illustration: CADET BARRACK BLOCKS--LONG BRANCH.]
[Illustration: MECHANICAL TRANSPORT SECTION.]
MECHANICAL TRANSPORT SECTION.
This organization came into official existence on March, 17th, 1917,
with a strength of one officer, fifteen non-commissioned officers and
airmen, and some fifteen vehicles which had been brought out from
England by the advance party of the wing.
By October, 1918, the number of vehicles had grown to about 400
(exclusive of side cars) these being looked after by a staff of some
two hundred and thirty non-commissioned officers and airmen, thirty
lady drivers, and a clerical staff of thirty-six. The vehicles were
distributed throughout the various sections of the brigade, all major
sections being so organized as to make their own repairs without
reference to the central establishment in Toronto.
Housed at first in rented premises in the Wolseley Garage, Toronto,
the headquarters establishment was moved early in August, 1917, to
its new building in Dupont Street. This structure was approximately
180 ft. × 150 ft., being laid out in bays, and so arranged as
to afford both the maximum storage space and the best possible
accommodation for repair work. The latter in turn was subdivided into
branches, each taking over its special duty as applied to various
features of repair work, thus ensuring that a car which came in for
overhaul moved constantly forward until, on completion, it had passed
through the hands of every section concerned. Arrangements were so
perfected that a complete overhaul could be completed by noon on
the third day from commencement, and three days later the vehicle,
completely painted and varnished, stood ready for either storage or
reissue.
The salvage of spare or worn parts proved, of course, to be a point
demanding special attention, inasmuch as a great portion of the
expense connected with overhaul is invariably to be found in such
replacements. Under the arrangements made, all worn parts were
classified and, wherever possible, repaired and stored so as to be
ready for re-issue when needed. It is reported by the officer in
charge of this section that the average repair output per week was
some nineteen vehicles of all descriptions, heavy and light, this
work being accomplished in addition to maintenance, washing, etc., of
all the other vehicles in the headquarters section.
The transport purchased locally proved most efficient, and in the
Toronto section 1,200-miles-run was averaged per day. Every vehicle
carried a log book, in which its duty was carefully detailed, and all
vehicles were completely rebuilt twice a year.
In October, 1918, the section, again expanding, occupied large
premises on Avenue Road, reserving the former building for repair
work only. The duties of various units of the brigade called for
transportation work of a widely varying nature, so it came that the
fleet of official vehicles presented an extreme variety, ranging
from Packard ambulances--admirable vehicles specially constructed
for hospital work at high speed over rough ground--to repair lorries
and motorcycles. Gasoline tanks for service on aerodromes proved
invaluable, and fire protection was distinctly aided by the purchase
of chemical trucks which were stationed at various units.
The work of the section was extended to the carrying of local
mails between the various units in Toronto. This proved to be most
advantageous. No record of the section would, furthermore, be
complete without some reference to the duties performed by the lady
drivers who patriotically volunteered for this service. Their history
is one of entire success, both as to the duty performed collectively
and individually, and also having in view the all-important fact that
by the acceptance of service so finely offered the brigade was able
to release many men for other and imperative work in all sections of
its operations.
[Illustration: IN FORMATION.
A SNAPSHOT.]
[Illustration: ASSISTANT PROVOST-MARSHAL, OFFICERS AND STAFF.]
THE ASSISTANT PROVOST MARSHAL
An Assistant Provost Marshal was appointed on February 1st, 1918.
This was deemed advisable owing to the large number of men enlisted
in the Royal Air Force, Canada. It further relieved the Canadian
Military Police Corps of the extra work of supervising airmen in the
streets of Toronto.
On the formation of this office there were approximately thirty
enlisted men to carry out the duties of Royal Air Force policemen.
The number has since been increased to fifty, whose duties consist
of patrolling the streets of Toronto, and generally supervising
the discipline and movements of airmen when on leave in the city.
They have also carried out all necessary escort duties in bringing
absentees back to their units.
A city guard room was opened in April, 1918, situated at the corner
of Church and Wellington Streets, and later moved to the basement of
the Records building, at the corner of Duke and George Streets.
In July, 1918, the Royal Air Force detention rooms and police
barracks were opened at 1322 Dufferin Street, for the dual purpose of
receiving airmen sentenced to undergo detention and to accommodate
the personnel of the Assistant Provost Marshal’s staff. These
barracks are under the supervision of an officer specially detailed
for the duty.
Since July of 1918, three men have been continually on duty in New
York City, under the direction of an officer of the Royal Air Force,
to supervise the discipline of airmen when on leave in that city.
In the above connection it will be seen that considering the many
thousands of men on the strength of the brigade, the staff of the
A.P.M. was extremely small. No better evidence could be given of the
excellent discipline and behavior of the Force.
ROYAL ENGINEERS’ SECTION.
Early in 1917 two engineer officers were appointed to the staff of
the Officer Commanding, R.F.C., Canada, for technical duty in the
selection of aerodrome sites and construction work generally. The
former occupied the initial period of their service, but with the
enlargement of the Corps came the necessity of a Royal Engineers
section to deal with affairs of maintenance and repair. It was
considered that the best results would be secured by posting
detachments of this unit to various stations, etc., to which, under
an R.E. non-commissioned officer, they were attached for discipline,
pay, rations, etc.
Under these arrangements, the R.E. section carried out its
obligations until the end of August, 1918, when on account of the
shortage of men who were both of military age and of required trades,
it was decided that the maintenance work performed up to this time by
the various subdivisions of the R.E. section, should be taken over by
the construction section of the Aviation Department of the Imperial
Munitions Board.
The method of carrying out maintenance work was thus changed, but the
responsibility for inspection and general supervision still devolved
upon the headquarters branch of the R.E. section. The strength of the
latter was reduced from an authorized establishment of 135 to a staff
of four officers, four or five draughtsmen and a sufficient number of
clerks. The duty performed by the unit still covered, as before, the
general design of all buildings whether technical, instructional or
barracks, coöperation with the construction section of the Munitions
Board in the securing of service of water, power, light, etc., and,
in general, such responsibilities as fall upon a firm of consulting
engineers. To these must be added the fact that this section was
responsible to the General Officer Commanding, and acted as
technical go-between and adviser between him and the Munitions Board
in all constructional and in many technical matters.
[Illustration: OFFICERS AND STAFF, ROYAL ENGINEERS’ SECTION.]
[Illustration: “CHURCH UNION” AT CAMP BORDEN.]
In retrospect it appears that the arrangement worked exceedingly
well. The coöperation of the Munitions Board relieved the unit
of all except very minor construction. During the period of this
coöperation, some 400 buildings were specially erected by the former,
some 40 other existing buildings altered and fitted, together with
the provision of innumerable services of varied nature. Records show
the completion of six aerodromes with accommodation for 22 squadrons,
and the establishment of an Armament School at Hamilton and a Cadet
Wing at Long Branch. The average cost for barrack accommodation was
approximately $235 per man. In this connection it is interesting to
note that at a time when men were becoming extremely scarce owing to
the annulment of transfer from R.F.C. to the R.A.F., the employment
and accommodation of women on a fairly large scale was discussed.
Analysis of building costs showed that barrack accommodation would in
this case cost some $430 per head, owing to the necessity of special
provision. The scheme was not unnaturally abandoned.
CAMP BORDEN.
This camp, the summer home of the 44th Wing for the year 1918,
represented the first structural activities of the unit in Canada.
By most energetic methods it was transformed from a sandy desert,
and became probably the finest flying camp in North America, the
Department of Militia and Defence having put at the disposition of
the unit approximately 1,000 acres adjoining the C.E.F. camp of a
similar name. The work of construction, which began at the end of
January, 1917, progressed so fast that flying began early in April.
Never probably in the history of Canadian construction has a scene
of greater activity been presented than was observed at Borden
during this period under the direction of the late Colonel Low,
backed up by an R.E. officer lent by the Department of Militia and
Defence. Work progressed unceasingly in a temperature often 20° to
30° below zero. Buildings sprang up at night under the glare of arc
lamps, and physical difficulties one after the other were met only
to be conquered. Within two weeks 1,700 men and 200 teams had been
transported and were at work.
Hundreds of acres of sandy soil were sown with grass seed, thousands
of stumps were uprooted and numberless hillocks levelled. An
excellent road system, a first rate water supply and electrical
system were all provided, together with special telephone
communication to Toronto and neighboring towns.
The type of building adopted was retained for all subsequent
construction, and has proved to give a maximum of comfort with a
minimum of expense.
[Illustration: OFFICERS AND STRENGTH, 44TH WING, CAMP BORDEN.]
[Illustration: OFFICERS, 44TH WING, CAMP BORDEN.]
At the close of hostilities, Camp Borden had accommodation for 122
officers, 500 cadets, 120 warrant officers and sergeants, and 900
rank and file. A few illustrations of typical buildings are
given, together with photographs of the strength at the cessation of
hostilities.
The surrounding country is level, and affords many opportunities for
landing. To the north stretches the great expanse of Lake Huron, to
the east lies Lake Simcoe, and 50 miles to the south is the shore of
Lake Ontario. To those who visited Borden when the air was full of
machines, there has always been something peculiarily fascinating
in the wide, clear skies and unquestionable atmosphere of space and
height which is noticeable.
During its occupancy, the 44th Wing did much to improve the camp,
and the energetic measures taken by the officer commanding for the
comfort and enjoyment of his unit will long be remembered. A large
concrete swimming pool, 100 feet by 40 feet was built, a cement
tennis court of exceptional excellence was constructed, and a golf
course of 9 holes laid down by first rate professionals, arrangements
being made whereby, for the expenditure of a few cents, all could
enjoy this most inviting of sports. Games, football and all types of
physical exercise were indulged in, and it was impossible to find
within the boundaries of the corps a more complete programme of
physical relaxation.
The chart on page 291 shows the number of cadets passed through this
wing. It should be remembered, however, that until the formation of
the School of Aerial Gunnery in April, 1918, at Beamsville, the 44th
Wing assumed this instruction. The unit occupied Camps Leaside and
Armour Heights during the summer and winter of 1917, but for the rest
of its active history its home has been at Camp Borden.
LONG BRANCH.
At first the scene of the initial flying activity of the brigade,
i.e., that of “X” and “Y” Squadrons, Long Branch subsequently became
the home of the Cadet Wing. The area covers approximately 100 acres,
its use being kindly granted by the Department of Militia and Defence.
During the summer of 1917, cadets were housed under canvas. When
autumn came, the unit was split between camps Mohawk and Borden,
then vacated by units proceeding to Texas, and returned in April to
a larger tented city on the former ground. During the summer of 1918
it was decided that permanent accommodation be provided, this being
due to the fact that it was not contemplated that the brigade should
again visit Texas. By the autumn most excellent provision had been
made for 30 officers, 1,200 cadets, 68 warrant officers and sergeants
and 1,200 rank and file.
The camp is excellently laid out, supplied with power and light from
the transmission lines of the Hydro-Electric Power Commission, and
was complete with every provision for the instruction, comfort and
amusement of the large number of cadets on the strength.