RNAS Navigation School - where was it located?

[Errol Martyn]

I have a New Zealand RNAS officer appointed to a commission 29 Jan 16 then next day posted to 'Navigation School'. Anyone know where this school was located, please?

 

Errol

[HERITAGE PLUS]

Errol

 

It is my understanding that in 1916 RNAS Personnel were given their navigation training at the RN Navigation School, in the Old Naval Academy within Portsmouth Dockyard, known as DRYAD, as the RNAS did not at that time have their own school.

 

Dave

Edited 20 September , 2018 by HERITAGE PLUS

[MikeMeech]

Hi

 

yes, I agree with the previous, until the January 1917 the RNAS personnel would attend the RN Navigation School in Portsmouth.  After that date RNAS Observer training was concentrated at Eastchurch at the Observers School.

 

Mike

 

 

[horatio2]

Agreed. The officer in question was required to report to the Commanding Officer of the Navigation School on 30 January 1916. The School (HMS DRYAD) was in the Old Naval Academy in Portsmouth Dockyard. The course appears to have lasted three months as appointments to RNAS Chingford for pilot training were in early-mid April 1916.

NB DRYAD was the RN school for all navigators, it was not an "RNAS school"

The 29 January 1916 entry comprised seven new pilots.

Edited 20 September , 2018 by horatio2

[Errol Martyn]

Many thanks Gents,

 

Horatio2, my man was L H Brett and it looks as though he was accompanied by fellow Kiwi TG Culling (two of your 7?).

 

Brett also undertook an engineering course at the school, commencing 28 Feb 16, before being posted to Chingford with Culling on 14 Apr 16.

 

Cheers,

Errol

[horatio2]

2 hours ago, Errol Martyn said:

Brett also undertook an engineering course at the school, commencing 28 Feb 16, before being posted to Chingford with Culling on 14 Apr 16.

A note on his record at the Fleet Air Arm Museum records that this (unspecified) course was not at DRYAD but at HMS EXCELLENT.

[Errol Martyn]

Thanks again Horatio2. I see that HMS Excellent was on Portsmouth's Whale Island, so he didn't have far to travel from one course to the other.

 

Cheers,

Errol

[b3rn]

Following is the transcript of a Canadian pilot's service record for 1916. I am fairly sure he landed in England (Liverpool) on 15 April 1916, so I think the first date (22 March 1916)  might be when he signed up in Canada.

 

22.3.16 Pro Flt Sub-Lieut Date 21.9.16  Seniority 22.3.16 Confirmation
Portsmouth "N" course
Excellent "G" course
24.6.16 C. Palace Cancelled
24.6.16 Chingford
24.9.16 E'church "G" Sch
18.10.16  Eastchurch, War Flight
27.11.16  No. 2 Wing

 

Can I assume the following?

1. Portsmouth "N" course = RN Navigation School, Portsmouth?
2. Excellent "G" course = RNAS Gunnery School, Eastchurch?

Many thanks.

[mickdavis]

When the RFC introduced its Night Light Bombing squadron in 1917, there was a need for accurate navigation and specialist officers, first known as Compass Officers but later Aerial Navigation Officers, were given training by the RN at the Compass Observatory, Slough. Possibly RNAS officers also attended there.