7 MB - University of Toronto Magazine

Time Capsulephoto: university of toronto archives/a1980-0030/002 (21)1917-1918Training DaysCadets get ready to serve in theFirst World War, on St. George CampusIn 1917, with the Great War raging in Europe, U of T presidentRobert Falconer turned over large portions of the downtowncampus to the British government to establish the No. 4 Schoolof Aeronautics. For 17 months, the St. George Campus wasthe location for all classroom training in North America formilitary pilots and aircrew. This photo, taken on back campus,shows some of the tents used by the airmen-in-training.The first manned flight in Canada had only taken place in1909, but gallant stories of fighter aces such as Billy Bishophad seized the Canadian popular imagination, and the shortlife expectancy of combat pilots meant there was no end ofdemand, either. The No. 4 School provided roughly two monthsof instruction in aerial photography, telegraphy, map readingand engine maintenance before cadets departed for flight trainingat aerodromes. By 1918, the school had taken over frontand back campus, the engineering building, Convocation Hall,Hart House, Wycliffe College, Burwash Hall and most UCresidences. Among the students was William Faulkner, whowould go on to win a Nobel Prize in Literature. Future primeminister and alum Lester Pearson was an instructor.After the armistice, many who started their pilot training atU of T would go on to open up the Canadian North, enabling thenation to map and explore those vast expanses for the first timefrom the air, as Canada’s first bush pilots. – Bruce Rolston52 WWW.MAGAZINE.UTORONTO.CA