Prior to his basic training with the Royal Winnipeg Rifles (October 9 to November 7, 1940), Murray Fraser completed attestation paperwork for the Royal Canadian Air Force. On his application dated August 6, 1940 he lists his civil occupation as farming, "all my life." Somehow I hear a groan when I read this. He told us the war was an honourable way off the farm.
In 1940 his flying experience was limited: 15 minutes as a passenger, perhaps a ride at a country fair.
He answered the question about skills useful to the R.C.A.F. with "mechanical aptitudes, woodworking, modelmaking," and to the sports question: "hockey, skating – extensively, softball, football – moderately."
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| We recognize the handwriting of 21-year-old Murray Fraser. |
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| Farming "all my life" |
Within a month following mandatory Basic Training in Brandon (October 9 to November 7, 1940), Murray headed to Winnipeg for vocational training at the Industrial Vocational Education Centre on Henry Avenue. He completed this training on April 15, 1941.
On April 25, 1941 there were more forms to complete for the RCAF Recruiting Centre in Winnipeg, confirming Murray Fraser's attestation and declaration to serve.
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| The interviewing officer wrote that recruit Fraser was an "intelligent" type with a "neat" general appearance. |
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| April 25, 1941: Appendix A was an Enlistment Agreement for tradesmen. |
A Movement Order from the Royal Canadian Air Force instructed him to leave Winnipeg on April 28, 1941 at 1830 hours. Murray was to present paperwork to the Orderly Room upon arrival in Toronto at 0630 on April 30, 1941.
Three days after signing his Special Reserve attestation forms, Murray Fraser was off to St. Thomas, Ontario, 201 km (125 miles) southwest of Toronto for more specialized instruction at the RCAF's #1 Technical Training School. He studied Airframe Mechanics for 18 weeks and Advanced Metal Work for six, earning the standard rank of Leading Aircraftman.
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| The scar in Dad's left eyebrow was not a war injury; it was a baseball one. |
