British Commonwealth Air Training Plan

The Second World War officially began on September 1, 1939, with the German invasion of Poland. Britain and France declared war on the Nazi Third Reich on September 3, 1939. Seven days later, on September 11, 1939, the Parliament of Canada likewise declared war on Germany,. Two years later, on the 8th of September 1941 William decided it was his time to join the army. Because of his affection with airplanes, he registered in for the Royal Canadian Air Force.

AC2

And two and a half month's later on the 25th of November 1941, William packed his bags and took the train to Brandon, Manitoba to report to the manning depot for his “Taken On Strength” or signing in training program for allied air crews and became Aircraft-man 2nd class.

The British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP), was a major program for training Allied air crews during World War II, training starts at one of the five Manning Depots, located in Toronto, Brandon, Edmonton, Quebec City and Lachine.
Recruits familiarize themselves with military discipline and with the basics of aviation: regulations, history, and navigation. Between courses they go through endless drills and weapon handling exercises.
Most boys were between 18 and 24 years of age, average under 20 years old.
Trainees start Initial Training School (ITS), well aware that at the end of the ten-week process some of them will be selected to become pilots – those may still dream of glorious deeds – or to be trained as navigators, bombers, wireless operators or gunners, essential jobs but lacking in prestige.
After each program they were “Struck Off Strength” or signed out and went to the next training which was usually in a different town.
Normally it took two years to complete a officer training.
William did his “Struck Off Strength” from the manning depot Brandon on the 31nd of January 1942 from where he went to Paulson, Manitoba to engage the No.7 Bombing and Gunnery School on the 1stof February 1942

On the bottem of the page are the navigation links of his training plans
before joining the war in Europe.