Honourably released, 1946

Enlisting in the R.C.A.F. required plenty of paperwork, but so did leaving the service. 

With the end of the war in sight, the air force wanted to maintain its strength and redirect its men into three other opportunities: (a) service in the “Pacific Theatre of Operations,” (b) the “European Theatre / European occupation force,” or (c) the “Western Hemisphere.” It was assumed that servicemen would choose from these three options, but the air force could override their choices. Paragraph 6 noted, “It is the intention to employ personnel in accordance with their preferences, but no guarantee can be given that this can be accomplished.”

 

Declaration for Continuing Service in the R.C.A.F., side 1

Men would do well to read the fine print. Paragraph 13, in all caps, stated “YOU MUST MARK YOUR CHOICE AGAINST ONE OR MORE OF A, B and C.” Servicemen were given a day to think it over “to allow you to make a studied decision.”

Only below this directive, and half way down side two, was a fourth choice (“D. DESIRE RELEASE”) offered, with the proviso “RELEASE OF INDIVIDUALS CAN ONLY BE EFFECTED IF THEY BECOME SURPLUS TO REQUIREMENTS.”

 

Declaration for Continuing Service in the R.C.A.F., side 2

Murray Fraser was not swayed, and did not need 24 hours to think it over. He chose option D. The word “No” written on the top right of side 1 was likely a clerk’s notation when sorting. Add it to that pile with all the others wanting to just go home.

 

And of course there were regulations associated with a discharge from the RCAF. A Discharge Certificate outlined specific rules about wearing the uniform and referenced Section 438 of the Criminal Code of Canada. Violators could risk fines and imprisonment.

 

The R.C.A.F.’s Discharge Certificate also warned about maintaining secrecy, even in peacetime. “All ranks are bound by the official Secrets Act to respect the confidence of much information, both during and after Air Force service, and infractions of this order would constitute a criminal offence.” This directive included the need to maintain secrecy in job interviews, for instance.

 

Murray Fraser was officially discharged on February 7, 1946, and he signed the Discharge Certificate to acknowledge that he would abide by its orders.

Upon being “honourably released and transferred to the Reserve, General Section, Class E,” he was issued the Canadian War Service Badge. It was established in 1940 “for members of the Naval, Military or Air Forces of Canada who have declared their willingness, or who have engaged, to serve in any of the said forces on active service beyond Canada and Overseas, and who have been honourably ceased to serve on active service.”

The War Service Badge had its own rules, of course. Penalties for wearing it illegally or defacing it were severe.

"This Certificate must be carried whenever badge is worn."

Cpl. Fraser, R.101661, arrived back in Canada on January 1, 1946. Before returning to civilian life, the air force gave its servicemen an exit interview of sorts, recorded on R.C.A.F. form R307 H.Q.885-R-307, below:

 

On February 2, 1946, the counsellor added the comment, "Good Service Record. No entry on Conduct Sheet." Murray Fraser's post-service plans were to attend university and pursue a career in aero engineering.
There was no mention of farming.

A March 8, 1946 letter from Group Captain T. K. McDougall to the Department of Veterans Affairs confirmed Cpl Fraser’s release from the RCAF.

It's official. As of February 7, 1946, Murray Fraser had completed his voluntary service and was now a veteran.

The Application for War Service Gratuity was likely one form Murray Fraser was happy to complete.

Cpl Fraser served 1750 days in the air force (including 287 days overseas), but 141 days of "non-qualifying" leave were subtracted in the calculation for gratuity payments.

The total war service gratuity of $509.87 would be paid in five monthly payments of $101.97.

The R.C.A.F. paid $7.50 for each period of 30 days served, and an additional 25 cents per diem for overseas service.

The comprehensive Record of Service Airmen (below) tracked every move. It listed postings, promotions, medical history, trade and character, coursework, leave, awards, and more. Movement between units was recorded as SOS (Struck off Strength) when leaving, and TOS (Taken on Strength) when joining a unit.

The Record of Service summarized Murray Fraser's career in the air force.

There was one more piece of paperwork that was especially meaningful and valuable:

"Should certificate become lost, no duplicate can be obtained."

This one wasn't bumf. 

⇧ BACK TO TOP

To England and back, 1945

As a serviceman heading overseas in March of 1945, Murray Fraser had more paperwork to complete, of course. The forces kept close tabs on the families of its members.

Every form seemed to ask for Next of Kin.

Every time he turned around, Cpl. Fraser faced more bumf. This time it was an Arrival Report for Ground Trades.

Cpl. Fraser noted his experience with Harvard and Yale training aircraft in particular.

The North American Harvard trainer was built in greater numbers than most combat aircraft during World War Two. They were used as advanced trainers with the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan at 15 flying schools across the country. A total of 1,455 fixed-gear and 20,110 retractable-gear variants of the Harvard were produced in the USA, Canada, and other countries. [1] 

Training aircraft at Trenton, 1941. [2]

Yales were lighter, simpler intermediate trainers used between small biplanes and the similar-looking but more powerful Harvard. Considered redundant in 1943, Yales were relegated to wireless operator training.

North American NA-64 Yale, the forerunner of the Harvard. Note its fixed landing gear. [3]

North American Harvard IIB, RAF Museum, London. Harvards were more plentiful and had retractable wheels, which student pilots needed to remember! [4]

While deemed “one of the best pilot training aircraft ever produced,” [5] Harvards were understandably subject to prangs of all sorts. The unofficial motto at No. 6 Repair Depot in Trenton, “You Bend ’Em, We Mend ’Em,” certainly applied. 6RD handled nearly every type of aircraft that saw service in the RCAF during WWII. The Yale and Harvard were only two of the many aircraft there, including Ansons, Fairey Battles, Bolingbrokes, Hurricanes, Mosquitoes, Lockheed Hudsons, Spitfires, and Lancasters. [6] 

One embarrassed Harvard pilot collided with an RCAF radio control truck in October 1943. “This Harvard Mk. IIB was from the Test and Development Flight at RCAF Station Rockcliffe, Ontario. The accident occurred at 11:25 hours on the 15th, and was the result of a blind spot. The driver, Corporal A. R. Coulter was slightly injured. The two in the Harvard were fine but the aircraft received Cat C3 damage.” [7]

The chagrined pilot had some explaining to do. October 15, 1943.

Cpl. Fraser was issued a new identity card prior to going overseas to join RCAF Squadron No. 426 in No. 6 Bomber Command at Linton-on-Ouse, York. 

"This card must be carried by the holder at all times."

ID Card issued February 28, 1945.

Sorry, but you can’t leave for England until we count your toothbrushes and socks:

Kit Inspection, side 1, February 1945. Heaven forbid a serviceman absconds with shorts and shoelaces.

Kit Inspection, side 2, February 1945, prior to embarkation. This form, for once, did not ask for Next of Kin.

Even specialist tradesmen had to complete routine ground defence training. Cpl. Fraser passed the required courses in “Rifle,” “Sten,” “Grenade,” “Application of fire,” “Bayonet,” and “Fieldcraft” in April 1945. Thankfully, he was not tested in real battle.

Details of Ground Training, side 1. Farmers would be familiar with rifles. Grenades and bayonets? Not so much.

Details of Ground Training, side 2. "When personnel are posted this form is to be sent to the new station without delay."

By October 1945 the war was over and it was time to head back to Canada. That would take a few months yet. Time for more red tape!

The Embarkation Statement asked about Next of Kin, as usual, and included a reminder about income tax.

While in Bournemouth’s PRC (Personnel Reception Centre) in November 1945 and eager to return home, Cpl. Fraser was offered an “Application for Enlistment or Appointment to the RCAF During the Transition Period.” He was not tempted. 

Cpl. Fraser did not bother to complete every part of the "Application for Enlistment or Appointment to the RCAF During the Transition Period."

But on side 2, he specifically completed section 12, declining the offer to enlist in the Interim Air Force. "I hereby DO NOT apply..."

The Air Force noted his refusal: 

Cpl. Fraser had enough of air force life.

But, as usual, heading back to Canada spawned more paperwork, this time an Airman’s Record Sheet for the RAF. The form included Murray Fraser’s various postings. In addition to listing Next of Kin (always an air force requirement), the record noted that he had left Halifax on March 3, 1945, disembarking in Britain on March 26.

The Record Sheet tracks Murray Fraser's movements in Britain. The first entry notes that Cpl. Fraser left 6RD for "1 Y Depot" (Overseas Transit Depot), on March 11, 1945. The last entry notes "from ACHQ" (Air Command Headquarters or Area Combined Headquarters), "to PRC" (Personnel Reception Centre) on October 24, 1945.

Side 2 of his Airman's Record Sheet lists the character of Cpl. Fraser, an AFM (Air Frame Mechanic) as VG (Very Good). It also notes he was awarded the CVSM (Canadian Volunteer Service Medal) on January 15, 1944.

The CVSM is granted to those who voluntarily served on Active Service and completed 18 months (540 days) total voluntary service from September 3, 1939 to March 1, 1947. A silver bar (or “clasp”) featuring a maple leaf was awarded for 60 days service outside Canada. [8]

A CVSM medal with Maple Leaf clasp and Bomber Command bar. [9]

Murray Fraser earned a CVSM and clasp, serving from April 25, 1941 to February 7, 1946, including 287 days overseas. He received the Bomber Command Bar posthumously. Not introduced until 2013, it features a Lancaster Bomber, and is for those who served with Bomber Command between September 3, 1939 and May 8, 1945. Families of deceased servicemen can apply for it on behalf of their veterans. 

Cpl. Fraser never actually requested his CVSM medal and clasp, available post-war, but he did keep the small CVSM ribbon lapel pin given in wartime.

Murray Fraser's tiny CVSM ribbon lapel pin.

Sailing on HMT Mauretania, Murray arrived in Halifax on January 1, 1946. It was a new year and time to ponder civilian life.

Murray Fraser, back in Winnipeg and back in civvies.

Sources (retrieved September 18, 2024)

1. “History of the Harvard,” The Hangar Flight Museum, Calgary, Alberta, https://thehangarmuseum.ca/search?keywords=Harvard&spammaster_extra_field_1=&spammaster_extra_field_2=
2. 419 Squadron RCAF 1941 to 1945. Training of Ground Crew Trades. http://www.419squadron.com/tradetrain.html
3. “North American NA-64 Yale,” Bomber Command R.C.A.F. F/LT Sean Dunn, https://www.bombercommand.ca/yale-trainer-.html
4. North American Harvard IIB, RAF Museum, London. https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/research/collections/north-american-harvard-iib/
5. “History of the Harvard,” The Hangar Flight Museum, Calgary, Alberta, https://thehangarmuseum.ca/search?keywords=Harvard&spammaster_extra_field_1=&spammaster_extra_field_2=
6. Karkut, E.T. (Ed.). (1990). The History of 6RD and the Aerospace Maintenance Development Unit. Trenton, ON: AMDU.
7. Harold A. Skaarup, “Canadian Warplanes 3: North American Harvard and Canadian Car Foundry Harvard,” Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3583056, in https://www.silverhawkauthor.com/post/canadian-warplanes-3-north-american-harvard-and-canadian-car-and-foundry-harvard
8. “Canadian Volunteer Service Medal,” Veteran Affairs Canada, https://www.veterans.gc.ca/en/remembrance/medals-decorations/details/21
9. Warrant Officer Class II Walter Leonard Cogger,” profile, Canadian Virtual War Memorial, Veterans Affairs Canada, https://www.veterans.gc.ca/en/remembrance/memorials/canadian-virtual-war-memorial/detail/2079073

⇧ BACK TO TOP

Farm Leave 1943

The idea was simple enough. Given the need to produce food to support the war effort at home and abroad, servicemen who could be spared should be allowed farm leave to help with seeding and harvesting.

“Food We Must Have But Farmers Need Help!” poster [1]

It wasn’t just grain that was in demand. “Despite heavy losses inflicted among food-carrying ships by German U-boats, nearly 1.5 billion kilograms of bacon, more than 325 million kilograms of cheddar cheese and similarly large quantities of other meats and butter were sent to Britain during the war.” [2] Vegetables could be dehydrated, milk condensed, and eggs converted to powder to make it easier to ship much-needed food overseas.

The pressure to increase production escalated, just as farm help grew scarce. Young men were leaving to join the military or pursue more lucrative defence jobs. It was a tricky balancing act.

As the Deputy Minister of Agriculture, W. R. Reek, observed in 1940, “Farmers are not bitter about their hired men leaving them for war work. […] If the shoe was on the other foot and they were the hired men, they [too] would go where the pay was highest. But in the meantime they are left holding the bag.” [3]

In July 1942 the Globe and Mail reported that “215,000 men from farms had been enlisted or called up for the forces or had entered munition factories.” The article quoted Saskatchewan MP Alexander Nicholson, who said that in some cases, national war service boards “would probably have leaned toward the side of the army while in others they might have leaned in the opposite direction.” [4]

The competing need for farm workers and servicemen created a real dilemma. In 1942, the Hamilton Spectator reported that “The farmer’s son and the hired man have marched away from the old homestead in the greatest exodus in the history of rural Canada.” [5] It was clear that “Canadian farmers made prodigious wartime efforts in spite of a steady shortage of labour.” [6]

In a 1943 Winnipeg Tribune article, Defence Minister J. L. Ralston seemed to defend reluctance to grant farm leave when questioned by Saskatchewan MP John Diefenbaker. Ralston insisted that Canada’s so-called “home defense army” was very active and essential. The article stated, “Some 5,450 men were already on leave from the Active Army for farm work.” Prisoners of war were being made available, and the army was taking responsibility for the security on farms “in some cases.” Ralston said that should there be an odd escape, “I hope it won’t be treated as a major international incident.” [7]

Servicemen applying for leave had to abide by confusing rules and regulations. [8]

Bureaucratic politicians and military leaders complicated matters as they debated solutions and regulations. The farm labour shortage was eased somewhat by temporary help from students, home defence soldiers, prisoners of war, and travelling groups of harvesters. Citizens were asked to help where they could.

A wartime letter from his sister Jessie told Murray that the family farm did not have German prisoners helping with threshing, as elsewhere, but they did have “two kids from Owen Sound.”

The Department of Labour launched a campaign urging citizens to work on farms. [9]

In 1943 Murray Fraser was granted spring and harvest farm leave. As the only son of elderly parents, he was a legitimate candidate for compassionate leave. No doubt his commanding officer would have been sympathetic if he knew Pete Fraser had been hit by lightning that summer.

Pete Fraser was still farming at age 67 when this unfortunate accident occurred on July 22, 1943. The story made the papers in three provinces. [10]

Servicemen on leave like Murray Fraser had to submit documentation from their communities confirming they had indeed been farming.

Spring Farm Leave, April 25 to June 7, 1943. It must be true; it was noted in the Pilot Mound Sentinel.

September 15, 1943 to October 14, 1943. Murray Fraser's RCAF Record of Service notes leave in other war years, too.

In 1944, the Hamilton Spectator reported that although an urgent need for experienced farm workers remained in the district, help was given by industry employees on vacation, and by R.A.F. men on furlough. “They are willing and eager to help and most of them have had experience, which, while it may be somewhat different to the type of farming done here, makes them very useful and able to quickly pick up the methods used in this country. In addition most of them are husky specimens of manhood and their training in the air force has kept them in fine condition.” [11] The article cautioned of a great demand for fruit pickers in Ontario.

“Husky specimens of manhood” Murray Fraser and Charlie Lamb picking apples in Ontario.

The farm situation remained desperate throughout the war. The Winnipeg Tribune reported in 1943 that experienced farm help had dried up, and low estimates of one helper per farm could not be met. Student response was disappointing; the Farm Help Service received only 10 applications from high school students in Winnipeg and Brandon. Although office and industrial workers were also in demand, employers were asked to encourage vacationing staff to help on farms. Transportation costs would be covered in some cases, and workers were required to stay on the job for at least 10 days. Inexperienced workers would have to negotiate wages, and experienced help would receive about $4.00 a day with lodging. The newspaper lamented: 

The situation is far from encouraging. Only labor supplies in sight are Indians from the northern reserves, student help, and the volunteers who may offer their services in the “Vacation for Victory” campaign. [12]

With help scarce, farmers were urged to apply for farm help early. [13]

The Winnipeg Tribune advised farmers to apply for 1943 harvest help early. “Not more than 1,000 men are likely to be temporarily released from military duty to help in the harvest fields of Manitoba and of these only a small percentage will come from M.D. No. 10.” It was noted that, “So far as possible only men experienced in farm work are to be released from military duty” and there were several conditions involved. 

Harvesters from northern reserves, August 1943.

Different processes could be confusing. Farmers applied for agricultural help, but soldiers themselves applied for compassionate (hardship) leave. [14]

Harvest leave in 1943 was limited, and specific conditions had to be met, as authorities in Military District No. 10 (Manitoba, territory directly north of the province, and northern Ontario) explained.

Soldiers on leave received no benefits and had to have farm experience. [15]

Manitoba farmers were pleased when D. M. McLean, Director of Manitoba’s Farm Help Service, announced in September 1943 that harvest leave for soldiers would be extended 30 days to complete threshing. McLean did note that more than 300 harvesters were still required in Manitoba districts, especially in Pilot Mound. “Manitou needs 25, Pilot Mound, 75, Boissevain 50, Melita 50, Minnedosa 20, Russell 25, Deloraine 50, and Swan River 20.” The help would have to come from farms where threshing was finished. [16] 

A Tribune article from August 1944 reported that MacDonald Bros. Aircraft Limited was the first local firm to allow employees to go help with the harvest. The MacDonald brothers had come to Manitoba from Nova Scotia as harvesters themselves in the early 1900s. [17]

The farm labour shortage remained desperate in 1944. The Winnipeg Free Press reported that approximately 1200 soldiers from Military District 10 were engaged in harvest work in the province. “Some 700 men have obtained three months of compassionate farm leave, ending Nov. 1, to work on family farms in this province, while hundreds more have gone to family farms in Saskatchewan.” [18] Many soldiers had no farming experience, but learned quickly, and their help was welcomed in Pilot Mound and elsewhere.

Labour shortages made farming harder than usual, and as soon as harvest was done, tired farmers were urged to then work in other essential areas like logging, mining, meat packing, and more.

No winter off for farmers! [19]

Large newspaper ads bombarded readers nation-wide. [20]

After VE Day in 1945, rules for army farm leave were relaxed, to increase production for “food commitments to the United Kingdom and other European countries.” [21] Leave was no longer restricted to soldiers for their own farms or the farms of close relatives. “Under new regulations the soldier may apply for leave to work in connection with the production of hogs, dairy products, beef, oats and barley on any farm.”  

In July 1945 the Winnipeg Tribune, commenting on a plan to have soldiers build houses, moaned, “it is to be hoped that they will not get balled up in red tape.” The article referenced a Globe and Mail account of a soldier applying to his commanding officer for farm leave. The soldier had to provide: 

An application in triplicate stating why the leave was required; a letter in triplicate from the farmer requiring his services, stating the need for those services; a doctor’s certificate in triplicate stating the employer’s incapacity for work; reports in triplicate from an agricultural representative; a letter in triplicate from a priest; sworn statements in triplicate from two disinterested persons, stating their knowledge of conditions on the farm, of the need for workers, and so on, and on official form designated form M.F.M.—312.

 The article ended with, “Production is the primary problem; effective mobilization of the labor force is the key to that problem.” [22]

Sources

1.      “Food We Must Have” poster, Canadian War Museum https://www.warmuseum.ca/cwm/exhibitions/newspapers/canadawar/p_agriculture_e.html

2.     Canadian War Museum, “Canada and the War: The War Economy and Controls: Agriculture.” https://www.warmuseum.ca/cwm/exhibitions/newspapers/canadawar/agriculture_e.html 

3.     “Defense Work Draining Labor From Farmers,” Globe and Mail, August 16, 1940.

4.     “Foresees Cut in Manpower for Farm Work,” Globe and Mail, July 27, 1942.

5.     “Farm Labour Drops Steadily, Further Depletion Expected.” Hamilton Spectator, August 25. 1942.

6.     Canadian War Museum, “Canada and the War: The War Economy and Controls: Agriculture.” https://www.warmuseum.ca/cwm/exhibitions/newspapers/canadawar/agriculture_e.html

7.     “Ottawa Plans Soldier Aid For Harvest,” Winnipeg Tribune, July 21, 1943.

8.     Torchy Anderson, “Soldiers Find Farm Leave Hard To Get,” Winnipeg Tribune, April 16, 1943.

9.     Department of Labour, “Soldier of the Soil” advertisement, Pilot Mound Sentinel, September 11, 1943.

10.   “Had Close Call When Lightning Kills Horses,” Pilot Mound Sentinel, July 29, 1943.

11.    “Airmen Helping to Gather Crops, More Aid Needed,” Hamilton Spectator, August 9, 1944.

12.   “Farm Help Service Asks For Volunteers, Estimates Of Needs,” Winnipeg Tribune, July 16, 1943.

13.   “Farm Help” notice, Pilot Mound Sentinel, June 17, 1943.

14.   “Only 1,000 Soldier Harvesters Likely,” Winnipeg Tribune, August 5, 1943.

15.   “Some Troops May Get 6-Week Harvest Leave,” Winnipeg Tribune, July 17, 1943.

16.   “M.D. 10 Enlistment Spurt is Continuing,” Winnipeg Free Press, September 13, 1943.

17.   “Firms Would Grant Leave For Harvesting,” Winnipeg Tribune, August 8, 1944.

18.   “M.D. 10 Has 1,200 Men Helping With Harvest,” Winnipeg Free Press, October 4, 1944.

19.   “Want Farm Workers In Other Industries,” Pilot Mound Sentinel, October 19, 1944.

20.   “Farmers and Farm Workers” ad, Pilot Mound Sentinel, October 14, 1943. 

21.  “Relax Rules On Army Farm Leave,” Winnipeg Free Press, April 7, 1945.

22.  “Labour for Housing,” Winnipeg Tribune, July 11, 1945. 

⇧ BACK TO TOP