Charles Richard Hayes - Photographs of Canadian Training Squadrons in WWI

We are grateful to Gillian Hazell for sharing these photos taken by her Great-Grandfather, Charles Richard Hayes, while he was serving with the newly-formed Royal Air Force in Canada during WW1.

Charles was already a 40-year-old father of three when he enlisted as an Aircraftsman Second Class in the Royal Flying Corps on 22nd July 1916 for the duration of hostilities. He was a carpenter in civilian life and continued in this trade while serving in the armed forces. Charles was promoted to Aircraftsman First Class on 1st July, 1917 and was transferred to the RAF on its formation, 1/4/1918. In the Spring of 1918, he was in Canada and served with 91st Canadian Training Squadron as part of 44 Wing (North Toronto) and subsequently 43 Wing (Deseronto). By this point in the war there were huge training facilities in Canada which had been established from virtually nothing. He arrived back in England in January, 1919, was discharged at the end of April.

Charles Richard Hayes was born in 1876, in Ferry Hill, County Durham. He married Eva Selina Witney at St. Bartholomew’s, Leigh, near Reigate, on 24th September, 1898. She had been born in Chinnor, Oxfordshire. The couple settled in Exeter Road, Addiscombe and had three children, Lilian Eva (born 1900), John Whitney (born 1902) and Richard Chadwick (born 1905). They later moved to Malcolm Road, Coulsdon, where Charles passed away in 1956.

Rest in peace Charles and thank you for your service.