It is desired to give official and universal thanks of the brigade for the great services rendered by many organizations and individuals during its two years’ work in Canada. From the first it was recognized that while military training was the object of the Corps, there were other phases of the life of the personnel that were of primary importance. That the work of training has been successful is due in no small degree to the fact that all ranks have benefited both temperamentally and socially by the generous thoughtfulness so continually extended.

No sooner had the wing been formed than the late Colonel Hamilton Merritt and Mrs. Merritt, of Toronto, presented two training machines as an indication of their keen interest in the progress of the flying arm of the Imperial services. Later the City of Toronto followed this example with three machines, Mr. James Carruthers with a similar gift, and the Province of Ontario provided two more.

Colonel Merritt’s donation commemorated the battles of Queenston and Lundy’s Lane, in October, 1812, and July, 1814, respectively; while Mr. Carruthers’ machines were named after three cities in which the donor’s interests were principally centred.

The Department of Education of the Ontario Government was most generous in providing splendid libraries, made up of thousands of specially selected books. These were sent, free of cost, to the various units, and proved of the greatest possible interest and value.

To the Young Men’s Christian Association, the Young Women’s Christian Association, the Aero Club, originators of the Aviation Fund, to those warm-hearted ladies under whose energy Longwood Convalescent Home did such splendid work for the brigade, to those who were responsible for the King Street Hostess House, and to many others, most grateful acknowledgments are made.

To the omnipresent Y.M.C.A., the members of the brigade owe many and sincere thanks. Animated by the admirable spirit which has always characterized its activities, it seems to have made a special effort to be of service particularly to the cadets and rank and file on the strength of the Canadian Corps. At Camp Borden, the “Y” erected a very large building, splendidly equipped for various purposes, a building of such size as to flout the name of hut, by which it is officially termed. At Long Branch, another was approaching completion just as this unit demobilized. In Toronto, the “Y” doors have invariably been thrown open to all men in uniform, and membership accorded without any fee whatever. At the Central building on College Street, special provision was made to meet the desires of the soldiers in their leisure hours, and the splendid swimming pool, one of the finest on the continent, was at the disposal of all soldiers of the King. To such an extent was this kindness appreciated, that members of the Royal Air Force were in the majority among those who took advantage of these privileges.

The inner man was especially remembered, and the “Y” cafeteria proved immensely popular. On Victoria Street was a much frequented building for the exclusive use of men in uniform, and the Red Triangle Club soon became the recognized meeting place for rank and file in the city. In consequence, accommodation was constantly on the increase. Here the dining hall service was doubly attractive, being made possible by the voluntary labor of a number of Toronto ladies. It was a club in every sense except one, in that membership is extended only to those who had signified their readiness to serve their country.

The Y.M.C.A. furnished and managed Hostess Houses at Beamsville, Long Branch, Deseronto, Leaside and Camp Borden. This proved a delightful variation from camp routine, and excellent light lunches were provided at most reasonable prices, the latter being especially enjoyed by the girls employed by the R.A.F. This organization also secured for the summer months of 1918, a large residence on St. George Street adjoining the School of Military Aeronautics, which will long be remembered by countless cadets who availed themselves of its hospitality.

The Longwood Convalescent Home, the use of which was kindly donated by Mrs. Charles Beatty through the Canadian Aviation Aid Club, has proved absolutely invaluable in nursing convalescents back to health and strength. It is charmingly situated in some ten acres of grounds about five miles north of Toronto, and being on the main road is accessible both by motor and electric tram.

The upkeep of Longwood has always been a matter of pride and pleasure to the Force. It was formally opened on July 30th, 1917, by Major-General W. A. Logie, C.B., C.F.A.—since Justice Logie—who was at that time General Officer Commanding, Military District No. 2. The furniture, which was of a most comfortable and complete description, including everything imaginable for the amusement of the patients, together with all linen and men’s wear, were provided by the Aviation Club, which body has been since its inception a continual source of comfort and help to the brigade.

In the spring of 1918, Longwood Annex was opened, a commodious house standing in the same grounds, and which had a capacity for an additional 24 patients, making 48 in all; but so popular was Longwood that, during this last summer, tents and marquees were pitched on part of the large lawn, accommodating not less than 50 additional patients. It will be thus seen that about 100 men at a time have been the recipients of most thoughtful care and attention at this Home. Its actual administration was carried out by the Canadian Army Medical Corps through the Base Hospital, and by two excellent nursing sisters who were continually in charge. Nothing was more satisfactory than a visit to this delightful spot, in which, surrounded by garden and orchard, so many healing days were passed by the men of the Force, while above them continually soared the machines of Armour Heights, only a short mile away.

The cost of alterations, repairs and various additions which completed the attractive charm of Longwood was borne by the strength of the R.A.F.,—$9,800 being raised in voluntary subscriptions from all ranks, and by the sale of waste paper from the various units. Altogether over 850 men have been privileged to convalesce in this admirable institution, and not once has there been any slackening of effort in the valuable service rendered by Mrs. Beatty and the ladies of the Canadian Aviation Aid Club.

Other work of the Club covered an extension of branch organization in most towns and cities in Canada, where appeals for donations were sent out and met with a generous response in comforts and money. Since the Club was affiliated with the R.A.F. Air Committee in London, England, a special effort was made to aid its endeavors, and a sum of nearly $7,000 had been forwarded to parent headquarters in England by the middle of August, 1918. This was subdivided between the R.A.F. Hospital, the Prisoner’s Fund and the Comfort Fund.

The King Street Hostess House, organized by private individuals, was a down-town rallying point for men in both American and Imperial services, and the cadets and airmen of the brigade comprised a great majority of the visitors.

Mrs. Chester Martin and Mrs. Martin Jones, the wife and daughter of the American Consul at Toronto, and Mrs. Ransom, associated with themselves a number of ladies whose voluntary duty it was to make the place exceptionally attractive, and to minister to practically all the needs of uniformed visitors.

The Aero Club of Canada, originated with the visit to the Dominion of the late Colonel C. J. Burke, D.S.O., R.F.C., in 1915, and a recommendation made by him that an organization be formed to control the granting of aeronautical certificates.

In July, 1915, the late Colonel William Hamilton Merritt had an audience with the Dominion Government at Ottawa and was then assured that every official facility would be given to any organization which might aid the Naval and Military authorities in Canada in securing trained pilots. From this interview developed the formation of the Aviation Fund, and later arose the Aero Club of Canada. It was incorporated in December, 1916, and the by-laws adopted at its first meeting provided that all flying officers of the Allies in Canada be made honorary members if they so desired. The first annual meeting took place on March 14th, 1918.

Recruiting for the R.F.C. was given special attention by the Club from its inception, a committee being formed to assist in the obtaining of cadets. The official report of this committee states that thirty local organizations had been formed to obtain candidates throughout Ontario, and that some 3,000 lawyers and clergymen were circularized, as also all college and university students in the Province. The press was used very largely to forward this work. Six thousand application enlistment forms for R.F.C. cadets were distributed in Ontario, and this work carried on till October 12th, 1917, when the Royal Flying Corps took over the local offices and shouldered all its own recruiting.

All cadets of the R.F.C. are honorary members of the Aero Club of Canada. The flying personnel of the Corps found the club and reading rooms (established by the courtesy of the Canadian Military Institute) most valuable in their leisure hours.

As at present constituted, the Club is affiliated with the Royal Aero Club of London, England. Its membership is comprised, amongst others, of some 3,000 members of the R.F.C. personnel, and it has of late been authorized to issue international aeronautical certificates to pilots who have qualified in training.

An irreparable loss was suffered by the death of Colonel Hamilton Merritt, in November, 1918, whose energy, generosity and unfailing enthusiasm had from the first been the chief factor in a most successful history of progress.

To the Aero Club falls the credit for the inauguration of the first Canadian aerial mail. A request was made that the Royal Air Force undertake transportation, all other arrangements being carried out by the Aero Club. The first mail, via the air route, left Toronto for Montreal on June 30th, 1918. This machine, the C-203, piloted by Capt. B. A. Peck with Corporal E. W. Mathers as passenger, arrived at Deseronto, the first stage, in 120 minutes. The following day Montreal was reached in 150 minutes. Leaving on the 24th on the return journey, the pilot made Camp Leaside in six hours’ actual flying.

The second mail was carried from Toronto to Ottawa. It left Leaside in C-280, piloted by Lieut. T. Longman on August 15th, returning on August 17th. The easterly flight took 280 minutes and the return trip 220 minutes.

On August 26th, Lieut. A. Dunstan in machine C-282 again carried the mail to the Capital, taking 220 minutes in each direction. Lieut. H. Burton in the same machine repeated this flight in similar time on September 4th, the latter officer making the round trip in a single day.

The Aero Club, for the purpose, arranged with the Dominion Government for the use of a special stamp, of the design illustrated. Thus was inaugurated a service which should in the near future develop enormously in this country of great distances.

The above acknowledgments are perforce fragmentary, as it is impossible to extend to each and all in any other form the thanks which the brigade desires to offer. It is hoped, therefore, that those to whom individual reference is not here made will accept this assurance of the great value the unit has placed upon services so generously offered and so gratefully received.