McGill, William W.: my Air Force recollections (June 9 - August 10, 1978)
Rank: Lieutenant.
ABSTRACT: Lieut. William W. McGill Royal Flying Corps Royal Air Force McGill_W_0095_01.mp3 (Interview 1, Side 1) Born on Oct. 17, 1890 to a farm family near Guelph, Ont. At age twelve he began working after school in a drug store. Eventually he began a four-year pharmacist's apprenticeship (at three dollars per week) and finished with one year at the University of Toronto where he obtained his pharmacy degree. Began a job in 1912 at Georgia Pharmacy in Vancouver where he worked full-time on the night shift. When the Great War started in 1914 he tried to join the Canadian Red Cross, but they did not have room for another pharmacist. He then attempted to join the Royal Flying Corps, but could not pass the medical examination. (10:00) In response to a rumour that it was easier to join the R.F.C. in Victoria he made the journey, was accepted, and was ordered to report to the R.F.C. in mid-1917. Sent to Long Branch, Toronto where he underwent basic training and general duties. Attended the School of Military Aeronautics at the University of Toronto for the theory of flight, gunnery, and more drill. (24:00) (Interview 2) Flying training at Camp Mohawk, Deseronto, and Camp Borden was followed by additional flying training in Texas. Describes different types of aircraft. After about four hours of instruction he made his first solo flight. Considers the Sopwith Pup to have been an excellent aircraft. (35:00) Anecdote about Texas training which was in a very rough and ready air school. Commissioned and sent overseas via Halifax. (47:00) McGill_W_0095_02.mp3 Landed in Liverpool in early Feb. 1918. Comments on some of the Avro aircraft at a flying school in Cheshire where he was stationed. Explains rotary engines. Bronchial pneumonia. (15:00) Much flying training due partly to a reduced demand for pilots in the war zone. Describes flying accidents, experience in flying in dense fog, well-trained in forced landings (25:00) during one of which he nearly landed on an explosives dump near Liverpool. (35:00) He flew a total of ninety hours solo when he had finished advanced flying school (where the emphasis was on aerobatics, gunnery, formation flying). Took a month off due to influenza. (46:00) McGill_W_0095_03.mp3 (Side 2) Finally shipped to France, to a pilot pool, in July 1918. By now the name of the service had changed to the Royal Air Force (Apr. 1918). No practical difference to him. Kept up flying skills in Sopwith Dolphin (fighter) aircraft. Posted to No. 23 Squadron, R.A.F. in Bertangles, a large base northwest of Amiens. (10:00) This squadron was designated a "ceiling squadron", i.e. they always flew at maximum height. One day he was able to reach 23,000 ft. Also flew patrols protecting observation balloons. Considerable trouble experienced with rebuilt Hispano Suiza aircraft engines; their failure caused many crashes. He experienced several forced landings because of engine failure, but his extensive training in England had made him an expert at this. On one occasion barely returned to the British side of the front. (27:00) (Interview 3) McGill reads from an account that he wrote about his last patrol on Armistice Day, 1918. An excellent description of preparations, including dress for the patrol, arming and testing guns at ten thousand ft., very quiet except for heavy and accurate anti-aircraft fire. Landed after two hours to find that they should not have been sent on patrol that morning and that the war would be over very soon. (45:00) McGill_W_0095_04.mp3 From then on flew "protective patrols" for several months. Returned to Canada in Aug. 1919. Back to Georgia Pharmacy where in due course he met a Mr. Orme who offered him a job in Prince Rupert, which he accepted. From there he went to Victoria to open a prescription store; Orme supplying the capital and McGill the pharmacy expertise, unfortunately just as the Depression began. This endeavour took several years to become profitable. (15:00) Returns to aircraft anecdotes. Because of faulty engines was loathe to fly very far over the German lines. Describes the aerial view of a major artillery barrage. (32:00)
Interviewer: Main, Chris D.
An interview/narrative of William W. McGill's experiences during World War I. Lieutenant McGill served with the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Air Force. Interview took place on June 9, 28 and August 10, 1978.
Interviewee: McGill, William W., b. 1890
- In Collection:
- 4 sound recordings (MP3)
- 52.16045, -0.70312
- 48.4359, -123.35155
- One original sound tape reel (ca. 165 min.) : 1 7/8 ips, 2 track, mono. ; 2 sound cassette copies : standard, mono. in Special Collections.
- Canadian Military Oral History Collection
- MWW_095
- Special Collections Finding Aid: https://uvic2.coppul.archivematica.org/reginald-herbert-roy-fonds
- July 27, 2006
- Digital sound recording in .wav format at 16 bits and 22 kHz. In .mp3 format at 64 kbps and 22 kHz. Digitized by SC, technical and cataloguing metadata provided by JF and JP. ; WWI Transferred from audio reel to audio cassette between 1987-1997. Interview migrated to digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2006. Migration metadata by KD and MT.
- Rights
- This interview has been posted with the understanding that it may be used for research purposes only. Should the interviewee or their heirs have any objections to this interview being accessible on the Internet, it will be removed promptly. Contact UVic Special Collections for permission if using for other than research purposes: speccoll@uvic.ca
- DOI
This page supports the Zotero and Mendeley browser extensions simply click on the extension widget in your browser to save the objects citation.
| Thumbnail | Title | Date Uploaded | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|
|
SC141_MilitaryOralHistory_GenericThumbnail |
|
|
|
McGill_W_0095_01.mp3 |
|
|
|
|
McGill_W_0095_02.mp3 |
|
|
|
|
McGill_W_0095_03.mp3 |
|
|
|
|
McGill_W_0095_04.mp3 |
|