Victoria to Vimy The First World War Collections at the University of Victoria Libraries

Page 38


Creator:
Westman, Florence M.
Description:
Page contains 2 news clippings: one discusses Ottawa men who are soldiers in the Royal Flying Corps, the other announces that local athlete, Don Brophy was wounded in an air battle over the German Line. Because Canada had no flying corps during WWI, men who want to fly enlisted in England, often paying for their own training. Don Brophy died in a plane crash in December 1916. Page also includes two photographs with the general caption: Sgt Harry Charlton C. E. F. - "are we downhearted?"
Subjects:
World War, 1914-1918; Westman, Florence M.
Date:
1916
Collection:
Florence M. Westman collection
Location(s):
France
Transcript:
[start clipping] Hot Time Coming. "Earl Farrow, of Ottawa, is another homebrew in the R.F.C. He was in France for a long time. Hedley Camero transferred too when the 77th was broken up. He is taking his qualifying course in England. I have been out here five months with excitement enough to last a lifetime. Have had several flights over the lines and believe me, I think the Germans are due for a hot old time before long. Our big guns have been pounding their trenches to pieces. It is thrilling to whirl overhead and see our shells plowing up those Huns a mile or so in advance of our own lines. Things are a lot better than they were a year ago. "by the way, put my name on the Citizen subscription list. It will be great to get a regular paper once in a while. We are quartered in a little village populated mostly by flies and wasps and quite a sprinkling of pigs. However it's all in the game. Give my regards to all the boys and don't overlook the fact, when writing war news, that the Ottawa boys and the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Aerial Service have been doing their share." [end clipping] [start clipping] OTTAWA BOY WINGED 1 photograph DON BROPHY Well Known Athlete Wounded in Duel with Enemy Airman over German Line. [end clipping] OTTAWA BOYS ARE DOING THEIR SHARE IN THE FLYING CORPS --- Don Brophy Winged in Duel With Enemy Airmen. Bunch of Young Fellows Showing Skill and Daring in Aerial Branch of the Service. From "somewhere in France" The Citizen has received a very interesting letter, written by one of Ottawa's best known athlete, who has been on duty since early this year in the Royal Flying Corps. He tells of the experiences of several Ottawa birdmen, high over the British and German lines; of the wounding of one and of the transfer to the Flying Corps of several local officers who went ovrseas with other units of the Canadian service. Among the latter are Norman Scott, Canadian and international figure skating champion, crack golfer and hockey player; also Hedley Cameron, who was in the 77th Battalion until the time of its break-up in England. The letter was written at one of the Royal Flying Corps squadron camps three weeks ago and is as follows: Some Misconceptions. "You will probably be surprised to hear from me, but I have been reading all sorts of funny 'bunk' in the Canadian papers about the 'Aviation Corps' and other things, which don't exist; so I thought I would drop a few lines to let you know a little of the facts about the boys from home. We in the Flying Corps evidently have some busy times ahead so these tips may come in handy. The Canadian papers have presumably not learned much about the aerial game. We have received a few clippings from home and have a lot of fun piecing them together. There are so many Canadians in the Flying Corps and so many of our own friends, right from home in Ottawa that it is hard to keep track of them all. I have been in the Royal Flying Corps for nearly a year and believe me this is a life. I have had a few thrills and close calls, but am all right so far. "Once cannot travel far these strenuous times without meeting at least a few old pals from home. Why, even up in the air, I sometimes come across the. It seems striking to be shooting through the atmosphere and see another one of the boys, Jack Ryan or someone else, go whizzing by and flashing a signal of recognition. We have a wireless system all our own and sometimes exchange greetings thousands of feet in the air. [end clipping]
People Depicted:
Brophy, Don; Farrow, Earl; Cameron, Hedley; Charlton, Harry; Scott, Norman