No 2 School of Instruction, RAF

[Chris_Baker]

Where was No. 2 School of Instruction, RAF, in August-September 1918? And what did it do?

[MikeW]

Chris,

are you sure you have the correct name there? There were numerous "numbered" schools, but none that even come close to your title. For example there was:

2 School of Aerial Fighting

2 School of Aerial Fighting & Gunnery

2 School of Aerial Navigation & Bomb Dropping

2 School of Special Flying

The School of Special Flying was a school for instructors - could that be a possibility?

There were also many other specialised schools but as far as I can tell the "numbered" ones were all post WW1.

Mike

[Chris_Baker]

It's from the service papers of an officer. One form has a signature, with a rubber stamp saying No. 2 School of Instruction. I'm afraid I don't have it in my possession any more so I can't scan it, but I only sent it away this afternoon so it is fresh in the memory!

[Alec McCudden]

Chris

There was indeed an number 2 school of instruction. The onlt reference I have indicates that it was in Christ Church, Oxford but I am unable to verify the dates.

Alec

[MikeW]

Alec's post sparked a memory, and a school of ground instruction (basic training, square bashing etc) is mentioned by Elliot White Springs in "Warbirds, the diary of an unknown aviator".

In October 1917 an American contingent were posted to Oxford straight from the docks, for their basic training. They appear to have been billeted in Christ Church College's halls of residence.

No "official" name for the school is mentioned in the book, and I can't find anything in my lists of RFC/RAF establishments.

Mike