jc
11 November 2007, 07:30 PM
Hi GUYS I'm back,
It's been awhile so I have lots to catch up on. I am still working on the Weir Cook Project-restoring his name back to the Indianapolis Airport. Were on the move again-some things have changed like more people helping the project & people we have to talk with. We did get Weir Cooks picture up at the Governors office & cleaned (so far 6 months), the Indianapolis star featured us (it was not as a great story as I thought they could of done-new guy???) www.indystar.com--search weir cook. Please check it out & leave a comment of support for this project it doesn't matter from what state your from or country. Don't mind the rude guys who have rude comments for our Vets. I could write a book on these stupid ___ with the thoughts I have of them.
Anyway, I wanted to do something good for Vetrerans day. I have these 2 paper books (not published) typed on white paper by who not for sure??? Found these in my auction boxes & thought someone might need the info...
I haven't read it, haven't done any research on this person, just want to share it.
So here goes.....Happy Veterans Day to all....past Veterans & Present !
Cover: E.W. Desbarats COTC RVRC RNAS RAF AUG.1917- MAY 1919
Top: ??.???.Lt. E.W. Desbarats R N A S
1918
page 1: is a copy of....reads: stationary logo Buckingham Palace
The Queen joins me in welcoming you on your release from the (miseies??) & hardships, which you have endured with so much patence & courage.
During these many months of trial,the early rescue of our gallant officers & men from the cruelties of their captivity has been uppermost in opur thoughts.
we are thankful that this longed for day has arrived, & that back in? the old country you will be able once more to enjoy the happiness of a home & to see good days among those who ansciously look for your return.
signed George R. J?
2. A copied cartoon page of: holzminden in a german prison camp
3.
As far as I know I was the only Canadian of a bilingual Quebec family who actually fought as a Royal Naval Air Service pilot in France. (Raymond and Dubuc were in seaplane squadrons.
My father was pure French-Canadian,in the direct line since 1670. My mother was the daughter of Dr. Duncan MacCallum and mademoiselle guy,also a completely French-Candian family.
My father was an officer with the VRC and a member of the Bisley team in 1890.
So when war came in 1914 I was all set to enlist in VRC which was forming the 14th Battalion for oversea s ervice.
That year 1914 was the second since having left Loyola College ( with scholarship for the last two years of arts). The reason for this being that the Doctors had told my father that his heart could give out at any moment ( he lived for over 40 years until he died of old age). So he felt that I should start to work in Desbarats Advertising Agency.
Anyhow he gave me the job of soliciting advertisements for the mcGill Daily. To do this it was necessary that I be registered as a student at McGill. So I took a partime course in Chemistry-which turned out both useful,interesting and most instructive
page 2
But the work of selling space to reluctant shopkeepers was very wearing in the hot summer of 1914. I came down with what was probably heat prostration.
So it was easy for my father to block my enlistment. A word to my Uncle-Dr. Duncan Campbell MacCallum. He was the Medical Officer examing recruits- and I was turned down as suffering from heat trouble caused by excessive smoking- and at that time I had never tried s cigarette or pipe.
However in the Autum of 1914 the McGill Univ. C.O.T.C. started accepting recruits. I joined up. Soon learnt the drill, made some good friends and specialised in Signals.
In 1915 got a good certificate from the COTC and was accepted as a lieutenent in the VRC.
Here Col.McRobie set me to work organising and training a Signal Section.
The VRC Mess was very agreeable. One of the most useful things I learnt there was how to play Bridge. Bruce Claxton and myself played regularly with Capt.Molson and Capt. Pillow. Weinvariable lost but our two siniors took very good care to keep the stakes low.
We had a number of field exercises over Fletcher's Field (Parc Jeanne Mance) and the mountain when my signallers were supposed to maintain communications and tranmit orders by flag and lamp. Confusion worse confounded.
Then on a beautiful autum day there was a parade of
Page 3
of all the troops in Montreal-VRC, Highlanders,Guards,Fusiliers Mt.Royal,RHA,the COTCs,the Cadet Battalions. Inspections by the Governor-General on Fletcher's Field, where we stood in the blazing sun for over three hours.
Never in these days do we see a spectacle like that-and the thrill of the music- the fife and drums of the rifle regiments, the bagpipes of the Highlanders,the full bands.
Christmas week in Montreal in 1915-no water due to the feeder pipes in the St. Lawrence being blocked with frazil ice. A number of bad fires,culminating in a blaze on St. Louis Square burning two full blocks,stopped only by dynamiting-with the firemen shovelling snow on to the flames
This Christmas Marie,the young sister of my closest friend-Gerard Jobin-appeared for the first time in a party dress-violet velvet.
By the time the 148th Battalion formed by Col. McGee early in 1916 I realised that I would never get overseas unless I did something stronger than simply volunteering for the forming battalions.
For years since the Wright Brothers flew at Kitty Hawk, and the silver Dart in Nova Scotia,and especially since seeing the first flying show at Valois,I had been buring with the desire to fly.
Early in 1916 this seemed impossible. The Royal Naval Air Service were accepting only candidates who already had their flying certificates and were able to pay
Page 4
their way to join up in England. No money available for me to do that. Men like Frank McGill,Raymond and Marcel Dubic took their flying lessons in N.Y. State-given by a girl whopse name I have forgotten. They all finished flying seaplanes. However suddenly there was good news. Admiral Mark kerr came to Ottawa and announced that the RNAS would accept a number of approved candidates,transpor them to England and give them their RNAS flight training- and pay them from the date of their embarkation at the rate for PFO's (Probationary Flight officers)-10s a day a full $2.50 in those days.
I immediately put in my application and on Dec.19 was summoned to an interview by the department of Naval Service in Ottawa, all expenses paid.
The interview went well and on Dec. 22 a letter from the department notified me tht my application had been approved and that I would become a PFO as from the date of my departure from Canada-in about three months time.
A further letter on Jan.8,917 told me that the Militia Department did not object to my transfer to the RNAS. However Col. McRobie was quite sore at losing his signals Officer.
*****This journal goes on and I'm more then happy to keep the story comming like his flight training, day to day of what it was like, fatal crashes during the time at Chingford Jennies stalling,others M.F. Longhorns which simply disentegrated in the air. Caused by pilots pushing gogles over their helmets into the propeller behind. If anyones intrested in this man history of military let me know. It is very intresting but keep in mind I'm not sure who he is just now reading this.
Jc
It's been awhile so I have lots to catch up on. I am still working on the Weir Cook Project-restoring his name back to the Indianapolis Airport. Were on the move again-some things have changed like more people helping the project & people we have to talk with. We did get Weir Cooks picture up at the Governors office & cleaned (so far 6 months), the Indianapolis star featured us (it was not as a great story as I thought they could of done-new guy???) www.indystar.com--search weir cook. Please check it out & leave a comment of support for this project it doesn't matter from what state your from or country. Don't mind the rude guys who have rude comments for our Vets. I could write a book on these stupid ___ with the thoughts I have of them.
Anyway, I wanted to do something good for Vetrerans day. I have these 2 paper books (not published) typed on white paper by who not for sure??? Found these in my auction boxes & thought someone might need the info...
I haven't read it, haven't done any research on this person, just want to share it.
So here goes.....Happy Veterans Day to all....past Veterans & Present !
Cover: E.W. Desbarats COTC RVRC RNAS RAF AUG.1917- MAY 1919
Top: ??.???.Lt. E.W. Desbarats R N A S
1918
page 1: is a copy of....reads: stationary logo Buckingham Palace
The Queen joins me in welcoming you on your release from the (miseies??) & hardships, which you have endured with so much patence & courage.
During these many months of trial,the early rescue of our gallant officers & men from the cruelties of their captivity has been uppermost in opur thoughts.
we are thankful that this longed for day has arrived, & that back in? the old country you will be able once more to enjoy the happiness of a home & to see good days among those who ansciously look for your return.
signed George R. J?
2. A copied cartoon page of: holzminden in a german prison camp
3.
As far as I know I was the only Canadian of a bilingual Quebec family who actually fought as a Royal Naval Air Service pilot in France. (Raymond and Dubuc were in seaplane squadrons.
My father was pure French-Canadian,in the direct line since 1670. My mother was the daughter of Dr. Duncan MacCallum and mademoiselle guy,also a completely French-Candian family.
My father was an officer with the VRC and a member of the Bisley team in 1890.
So when war came in 1914 I was all set to enlist in VRC which was forming the 14th Battalion for oversea s ervice.
That year 1914 was the second since having left Loyola College ( with scholarship for the last two years of arts). The reason for this being that the Doctors had told my father that his heart could give out at any moment ( he lived for over 40 years until he died of old age). So he felt that I should start to work in Desbarats Advertising Agency.
Anyhow he gave me the job of soliciting advertisements for the mcGill Daily. To do this it was necessary that I be registered as a student at McGill. So I took a partime course in Chemistry-which turned out both useful,interesting and most instructive
page 2
But the work of selling space to reluctant shopkeepers was very wearing in the hot summer of 1914. I came down with what was probably heat prostration.
So it was easy for my father to block my enlistment. A word to my Uncle-Dr. Duncan Campbell MacCallum. He was the Medical Officer examing recruits- and I was turned down as suffering from heat trouble caused by excessive smoking- and at that time I had never tried s cigarette or pipe.
However in the Autum of 1914 the McGill Univ. C.O.T.C. started accepting recruits. I joined up. Soon learnt the drill, made some good friends and specialised in Signals.
In 1915 got a good certificate from the COTC and was accepted as a lieutenent in the VRC.
Here Col.McRobie set me to work organising and training a Signal Section.
The VRC Mess was very agreeable. One of the most useful things I learnt there was how to play Bridge. Bruce Claxton and myself played regularly with Capt.Molson and Capt. Pillow. Weinvariable lost but our two siniors took very good care to keep the stakes low.
We had a number of field exercises over Fletcher's Field (Parc Jeanne Mance) and the mountain when my signallers were supposed to maintain communications and tranmit orders by flag and lamp. Confusion worse confounded.
Then on a beautiful autum day there was a parade of
Page 3
of all the troops in Montreal-VRC, Highlanders,Guards,Fusiliers Mt.Royal,RHA,the COTCs,the Cadet Battalions. Inspections by the Governor-General on Fletcher's Field, where we stood in the blazing sun for over three hours.
Never in these days do we see a spectacle like that-and the thrill of the music- the fife and drums of the rifle regiments, the bagpipes of the Highlanders,the full bands.
Christmas week in Montreal in 1915-no water due to the feeder pipes in the St. Lawrence being blocked with frazil ice. A number of bad fires,culminating in a blaze on St. Louis Square burning two full blocks,stopped only by dynamiting-with the firemen shovelling snow on to the flames
This Christmas Marie,the young sister of my closest friend-Gerard Jobin-appeared for the first time in a party dress-violet velvet.
By the time the 148th Battalion formed by Col. McGee early in 1916 I realised that I would never get overseas unless I did something stronger than simply volunteering for the forming battalions.
For years since the Wright Brothers flew at Kitty Hawk, and the silver Dart in Nova Scotia,and especially since seeing the first flying show at Valois,I had been buring with the desire to fly.
Early in 1916 this seemed impossible. The Royal Naval Air Service were accepting only candidates who already had their flying certificates and were able to pay
Page 4
their way to join up in England. No money available for me to do that. Men like Frank McGill,Raymond and Marcel Dubic took their flying lessons in N.Y. State-given by a girl whopse name I have forgotten. They all finished flying seaplanes. However suddenly there was good news. Admiral Mark kerr came to Ottawa and announced that the RNAS would accept a number of approved candidates,transpor them to England and give them their RNAS flight training- and pay them from the date of their embarkation at the rate for PFO's (Probationary Flight officers)-10s a day a full $2.50 in those days.
I immediately put in my application and on Dec.19 was summoned to an interview by the department of Naval Service in Ottawa, all expenses paid.
The interview went well and on Dec. 22 a letter from the department notified me tht my application had been approved and that I would become a PFO as from the date of my departure from Canada-in about three months time.
A further letter on Jan.8,917 told me that the Militia Department did not object to my transfer to the RNAS. However Col. McRobie was quite sore at losing his signals Officer.
*****This journal goes on and I'm more then happy to keep the story comming like his flight training, day to day of what it was like, fatal crashes during the time at Chingford Jennies stalling,others M.F. Longhorns which simply disentegrated in the air. Caused by pilots pushing gogles over their helmets into the propeller behind. If anyones intrested in this man history of military let me know. It is very intresting but keep in mind I'm not sure who he is just now reading this.
Jc