Marigold1 Posted 19 October , 2018 Share Posted 19 October , 2018 I have a Signaller in the Royal Engineers, Sidney Lewis Gilks, who was sent for a course of instruction with the RAF in July and August 1918. When he was sent on the course he was with the 20th Indian Infantry Brigade in Palestine. A brief Air Force record notes that he started the course on 25th July 1918 'For No. 14 Course of Instruction' with G Squadron 3CW. His course ended on 2nd September 1918. As the RAF had a centre called 'Junction Station', Palestine, do you think I can assume that this is where he was sent? (Sidney Gilks died in Egypt in November 1918.) Can anyone also tell me what 3CW is likely to mean? I would be most grateful for any help on these two points. Marigold Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin DavidOwen Posted 19 October , 2018 Admin Share Posted 19 October , 2018 CW could be "Chemical Warfare" - yes they did exist in ww1.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ss002d6252 Posted 19 October , 2018 Share Posted 19 October , 2018 3 Cadet Wing ? Craig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marigold1 Posted 19 October , 2018 Author Share Posted 19 October , 2018 Dear David and SS002, Very many thanks for the help. I feel that I am getting somewhere now. Marigold Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin DavidOwen Posted 19 October , 2018 Admin Share Posted 19 October , 2018 Craig is more likely to be correct. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marigold1 Posted 19 October , 2018 Author Share Posted 19 October , 2018 Thanks, David. Marigold Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Errol Martyn Posted 19 October , 2018 Share Posted 19 October , 2018 He was with G Squadron which was a course group within 3 Cadet Wing at Aboukir. He would have been there as the first step in his training for aircrew (pilot or observer) Errol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marigold1 Posted 20 October , 2018 Author Share Posted 20 October , 2018 Errol, That is fascinating. Thank you. Maeigold Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Errol Martyn Posted 20 October , 2018 Share Posted 20 October , 2018 Marigold, Correcting my earlier post: 3CW was at Heliopolis in July 1918 but in August moved to Abukir as per this post elsewhere on the forum by Mike Meech: There is an article on training in Egypt, 'Wings Over Suez' by Ray Vann and Mike O'Conner, in the Spring 2016 edition of Cross & Cockade International. In this it mentions that in August 1918: "...an outbreak of sickness and food poisoning at 3 Cadet Wing mainly due to overcrowding and poor kitchen facilities, saw the cadets moved from Heliopolis to Aboukir." Errol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marigold1 Posted 21 October , 2018 Author Share Posted 21 October , 2018 Dear Errol, Thank you so much for the extra detail - it all helps to build up a picture. Marigold Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted 9 November , 2018 Share Posted 9 November , 2018 Hi Marigold, Sidney Lewis Gilks is my great uncle . I am very interested to know how you came across this fascinating piece of information about him. with kind regards Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marigold1 Posted 9 November , 2018 Author Share Posted 9 November , 2018 Dear Paul, I have sent you a PM so I hope you get it OK. If not, please let me know, Marigold Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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