Sunday, December 6, 1914
In Camp, West Down South, Salisbury Plains
The Battalion War Diarist wrote for this day: “Duty Battalion. Church Parade.” [1]
THIS DAY IN RMR HISTORY: “Ottawa. Nov. 30th – A Canadian aviation corps is being organized at Salisbury Plain, and will be attached to the Canadian army when it leaves for the front. Negotiations have been in progress between Canada and the British War Office for some time, and it has now been decided to form a squadron of twelve aeroplanes. The squadron will be in command of Captain Janney of Galt, Ontario, an experienced aviator. Captain Janney flew from Massachusetts to Valcartier camp to join the first contingent.
There are two other Canadian aviators, M. Sharpe and Harry A. Farr. For the remaining posts there are no less than 469 applicants among Canadian soldiers at Salisbury Plain who want to join the aviation corps.
The British type of flying machine which has proved so successful along the fighting line in France and Belgium, has been adopted, and orders for the building of twelve have been placed, it is understood, by the Canadian government in England. The Canadian airmen will likely train, according to news received at Ottawa, at Montrose, Scotland, which is one of the British aviation centres.” [3]
[1] War Diary, 14th Canadian Battalion, The Royal Montreal Regiment, Dec 6, 1914. Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa, http://data2.collectionscanada.ca/e/e044/e001089681.jpg
[2] “Aviation Corps Being Organized at Salisbury,“ The Globe (1844-1936), Toronto, Ontario, Tuesday, December 1, 1914, pg. 9, col. 1.
[3] Ibid.