Autobiography - Documentary of Early Days of R.C.A.F.
Item
Title
Autobiography - Documentary of Early Days of R.C.A.F.
Description
Documentary of Early Days of R.C.A.F. - G. W. Bell
Having checked for records of early Air Force experience, found that none were available at this time.
I was first accepted into the RCAF as an Airman Pilot along with four other civilian pilots. However, our duration was short. This was January 1932 and due to the Depression, the Force was reduced by 100 men including myself, about 80 Officers and over 100 civilians in March 1932.
1936 I signed up with 19 Bomber NPF Squadron, Hamilton, as ground crew. Taking Airframe and Aero Engine, was made instructor due to my civil Air Engineers Certificate. Due to having flying licences, I was told about Commission. In peace time an Officer had to have a considerable amount of wealth as nearly everything came out of their own pockets. In other words, paid for Commission. Most of them were of the wealthy type, however, I was permitted to fly often as pilot and took a casual instructors course. Instructors coming from Camp Borden on training aircraft received Wings.
When war started, I was temporarily assigned to civil flying schools in St. Catharines, and Mt Hope flying Fleets and later Tiger Moths.
Due to having two air infractions over several months, I was then sent on a link course and instructed on them at various stations, - a boring job.
I was sent overseas March 1943 to 6 Canadian Bomber Group. On return to Canada, I was with 12 Comm Flight and then transferred to 13 Photo Squadron operating in the N. W. T., Yukon and part of the Artic. (Arctic)
Left Air FOrce in latter part of 1946 and joined 424 Squadron Hamilton reserve then 1947 - 1961 Regular Force, travelling to Germany, Asia and other countries. I remained in Service until I retired July 1961 at the age of 52, a real good life, and a great experience.
Having checked for records of early Air Force experience, found that none were available at this time.
I was first accepted into the RCAF as an Airman Pilot along with four other civilian pilots. However, our duration was short. This was January 1932 and due to the Depression, the Force was reduced by 100 men including myself, about 80 Officers and over 100 civilians in March 1932.
1936 I signed up with 19 Bomber NPF Squadron, Hamilton, as ground crew. Taking Airframe and Aero Engine, was made instructor due to my civil Air Engineers Certificate. Due to having flying licences, I was told about Commission. In peace time an Officer had to have a considerable amount of wealth as nearly everything came out of their own pockets. In other words, paid for Commission. Most of them were of the wealthy type, however, I was permitted to fly often as pilot and took a casual instructors course. Instructors coming from Camp Borden on training aircraft received Wings.
When war started, I was temporarily assigned to civil flying schools in St. Catharines, and Mt Hope flying Fleets and later Tiger Moths.
Due to having two air infractions over several months, I was then sent on a link course and instructed on them at various stations, - a boring job.
I was sent overseas March 1943 to 6 Canadian Bomber Group. On return to Canada, I was with 12 Comm Flight and then transferred to 13 Photo Squadron operating in the N. W. T., Yukon and part of the Artic. (Arctic)
Left Air FOrce in latter part of 1946 and joined 424 Squadron Hamilton reserve then 1947 - 1961 Regular Force, travelling to Germany, Asia and other countries. I remained in Service until I retired July 1961 at the age of 52, a real good life, and a great experience.
Date
Identifier
005.209.001