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As the New Year of 1918 began, males who were deemed eligible for compulsory wartime service departed from their family firesides.  
 
On January 3rd the district commandeered men began reporting at the Gordon McKay Barracks, its official designation was: “First Depot, Manitoba Regiment, Brandon Detachment.”  
 
This was where Companies ‘F’ and ‘G’ immediately started combat training.  
 
Also on January 3rd far away in the skies above England Lieutenant Andrew J. Cumberland, one of the four hometown friends who had simultaneously transferred from “The Chums” ground action to aerial movement became Brandon’s first Royal Flying Corps casualty.  
 
Just six weeks later Death claimed the life of Brandon’s second “Birdman”, namely Lieutenant H. A. Robinson.  
 
When the spring of 1918 arrived, the third 181st Battalion, ‘Land to Space’ transferee made the supreme sacrifice, this was four weeks after the ‘Flying Corps’ adopted the name, ‘Royal Air force’.  
 
Note: The remaining member of the quartet was Lieutenant L. Davidson.  
 
Source: Brandon a City by G. F. Barker