Aircrew Recruitment - During the summer of 1940 at the height of the Battle Of Britain, my friend and I decided that we would like to be Fighter Pilots. We reported to the recruiting center at Charlottetown, P.E.I. and made our requests known to the F/L in charge. He told us that we would have to pass the Aircrew medical and also pass an IQ test. We passed thes with flying colours but he also wanted proof of education. When we produced our Grade 8 Public School Certificates he advised that although we had qualified for Aircrew, our education would not qualify us for Aircrew. He advised us that a new Ground Crew Trade was opening up known as “Firefighter”. We were very interested and wanted to know when we could start. We had to wait nearly a year before we were advised that we were accepted.

By Archie Graham, Flight Lieutenant, Retired