The day Canada entered World War I, William Lighthall and his adventurous friends departed the staid halls of McGill University. In a burst of patriotism they set out to join the Royal Canadian Dragoons. None of them expected the war to last more than three months. Seeing his first aeroplane, Lighthall decided to join the Royal Flying Corps. He did not know he would serve years in France, Mesopotamia, and Macedonia before his transfer would be granted.