L.M Posted 26 February , 2009 Share Posted 26 February , 2009 Having had great replies in the medal index card section of the forum concerning an AM2 "killed in SA" in France in 1917, can anyone here help me with the interpretation of "SA" or comment on why an AM2 would have been airborne on operations as an observer. Surely all pilots, and I thought observers, in the RFC would have been commissioned officers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dolphin Posted 26 February , 2009 Share Posted 26 February , 2009 There were Sergeant Pilots in the RFC, though there were comparatively rare compared to commissioned pilots. Observers could be any rank, and it was far from uncommon for AM2s (the RFC equivalent of a Private) to fly on operations in the first few years of the War. It was common for would-be observers who had transferred from other branches of the Army to turn up at an aerodrome on their first day of RFC service and be flying over the lines on the same day. However, by 1918 observers generally passed through a specialist training course before being posted to a squadron. Gareth Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
centurion Posted 26 February , 2009 Share Posted 26 February , 2009 Most two seaters where the pilot was in the front seat could not be flown safely without some weight in the rear cockpit so it was not uncommon for air mechanics to act as human ballast on flights including those behind the lines (checking out an aircraft after maintenance for example). I wonder if the A in SA might not stand for accident. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Johnson Posted 27 February , 2009 Share Posted 27 February , 2009 That's what I was thinking. "Service accident" perhaps, meaning accidental death not involving flying. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dolphin Posted 27 February , 2009 Share Posted 27 February , 2009 The man in question, AM2 B G Perrott of No 45 Sqn RFC, has been discussed on another thread; he was killed in action in 30 April 1917 when his aeroplane was shot down. Gareth Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L.M Posted 27 February , 2009 Author Share Posted 27 February , 2009 The man in question, AM2 B G Perrott of No 45 Sqn RFC, has been discussed on another thread; he was killed in action in 30 April 1917 when his aeroplane was shot down. Gareth Yes, my thanks again Gareth. Having read your very informative reply on the Medal Index Card forum and been surprised that he was airborne as an AM2 I thought I should ask the additional question in the "air" section in case there was specialist knowledge here. You obviously are a mine of information! LM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
per ardua per mare per terram Posted 27 February , 2009 Share Posted 27 February , 2009 The use and status of 'air crew' varied throughout WWI. At the end of 1916 non commissioned air gunners were enrolled to suppliment the ranks of observers, for which there was a seperate course. I recommend reading C.G. Jefford's Observers and Navigators: And Other Non-pilot Aircrew in the RFC, RNAS and RAF. There are lists of Air Gunner aces, which includes Air Mechanics, Corporals and Sergeants. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L.M Posted 27 February , 2009 Author Share Posted 27 February , 2009 The use and status of 'air crew' varied throughout WWI. At the end of 1916 non commissioned air gunners were enrolled to suppliment the ranks of observers, for which there was a seperate course. I recommend reading C.G. Jefford's Observers and Navigators: And Other Non-pilot Aircrew in the RFC, RNAS and RAF. There are lists of Air Gunner aces, which includes Air Mechanics, Corporals and Sergeants. Thanks again! I think we are talking to each other on two posts! LM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
per ardua per mare per terram Posted 27 February , 2009 Share Posted 27 February , 2009 We are! Btw in most cases you just need to use the fast reply function. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crauf Posted 21 February Share Posted 21 February Not sure if anyone is still on line after such a long gap since this conversation took place. I note from my Uncle's Army Book, that he conducted B G Perrott's Funeral at Lillers Cemetery on 1st May, 1917. He was an Army Chaplain - J W C Murray - serving at the No 58 Casualty Clearing Station. The cause of death given is: g.s.w. hd. killed in action. Crauf. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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