In Our Youth

A fascinating, photo-rich
exploration of early aviation in Canada, told through the backstories of
pilots who flew, fought, and risked their lives in the First World War,
through the interwar period, and beyond.

In Our Youth
explores the lives of thirty-two young Canadian military and civilian
flyers, viewed through the medium of archival photography. All of these
young men were pilots in the First World War, a time when flying was
pure adventure and danger. Some of them were from humble origins, some
from elite families, some became heroes, one was cowardly, and most have
now faded from our attention. However, all embraced the romance of
flight and the danger of war.

Although much of the book is
focused on military experiences—including the mental stress and injuries
faced by pilots who had barely reached adulthood—the book looks beyond
war, examining the fascinating world of civilian aviation from 1908 to
1941. Featuring long-hidden photography uncovered from provincial
archives, confidential military records, and precious family
collections, this book covers the lives of many young Canadians who made
important contributions as they flew and fought in what seem today to
be the flimsiest of machines.