When did Aircraftman replace Air Mechanic?

[Errol Martyn]

The following table appears in Flight for 6 Feb 19. It will be noted that the rank (or classification) of Air Mechanic does not appear therein. This seems to be the first appearance in print (in Flight, anyway) of Aircraftman as a rank. Does anyone know the official date as to when the change took place?

TIA,

Errol

[Keith_history_buff]

Yes, the rank came into being on 1 January 1919, with Air Ministry Weekly Order 109 referring to this change.

Thanks, Keith

[Errol Martyn]

Many thanks Keith, nice to have the exact date.

 

Cheers,

Errol

[Keith_history_buff]

This rank supersedes those equivalent ranks (in the Technical, Administrative and Non-Technical branches) which were introduced by Air Memorandum No 1 dated March 1918. This specifies the official ranks of the Royal Air Force, and the rates of pay associated with each rank. This has been put online via the Flight global archives.

[Errol Martyn]

Keith,

 

A belated thanks for this.

 

Cheers,

Errol

[Keith_history_buff]

Happy to help, Errol.

 

Cheers,
Keith

[Keith_history_buff]

Here's the pertinent table from Air Memorandum No 1 dated March 1918
 

Here's some pertinent info relative to the RNAS in July 1914

 

  

On 14/12/2007 at 21:04, joseph said:

In 1917 there was not such a thing as Aircraftman in the RNAS.

LG 24th July 1914

Naval Wing of the Royal Flying Corps (designated the Royal Naval Air Service) - including Airships - Pay & Allowances

1. Men appointed to serve in the Royal Naval Air Service to be graded

Chief Petty Officer Mechanic 1st Grade

Chief Petty Officer Mechanic 2nd Grade

Chief Petty Officer Mechanic 3rd Grade

Petty Officer Mechanic

Leading Mechanic

Air Mechanic 1st Grade

Air Mechanic 1st Grade (acting)

(for men drawn from Royal Navy or Royal Marines only).

Air Mechanic 2nd Grade

Regards Charles

 

[Errol Martyn]

Many thanks once again, Keith.

Cheers,

Errol

[Keith_history_buff]

Thanks Errol. Unfortunately, the last time that I checked, the 1918 editions of Flight Global were no longer available online, so thought it wise to reproduce one of the tables from it.

[MaureenE]

On 13/06/2023 at 14:56, Keith_history_buff said:

 Unfortunately, the last time that I checked, the 1918 editions of Flight Global were no longer available online.

Flight International Magazine Collection at Archive.org, which is Searchable as a Collection. Weekly Flight editions from 1909 including WW1 period.

Maureen

[Keith_history_buff]

What a result. Many thanks Maureen!

[Errol Martyn]

Good to know there is an alternative to the no longer free access version on Flight Global.

Errol

[horatio2]

On 12/06/2023 at 20:12, Keith_history_buff said:

In 1917 there was not such a thing as Aircraftman in the RNAS.

Stepping back to the original topic subject...

It is clear that RNAS Aircraftman (Non-technical) ratings were in existence in June 1917, their pay ascales being laid out in the Juuly 1917 Navy List   -   

https://digital.nls.uk/british-military-lists/archive/94238546

CWGC lists Aircraftman RNAS casualties who were enlisted In June 1916 as Aircraftman vide   -   https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D6814631      and, for a full listing       https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/search-results/?Surname=&Forename=&Initials=&ServiceNum=&Regiment=&ServedIn=Navy&WarSelect=1&Rank=aircraftman&CountryCommemoratedIn=null&Cemetery=&Unit=&SecondaryRegiment=&SecondaryUnit=&AgeOfDeath=0&DateDeathFromDay=1&DateDeathFromMonth=January&DateDeathFromYear=&DateDeathToDay=1&DateDeathToMonth=January&DateDeathToYear=&DateOfDeath=&Honours=null&AdditionalInfo=&Sort=dateofdeath&Size=50&Page=1

 

[Keith_history_buff]

Please refrain from attributing quotes from one person to a different person.

  

On 14/12/2007 at 21:04, joseph said:

In 1917 there was not such a thing as Aircraftman in the RNAS.

LG 24th July 1914

Naval Wing of the Royal Flying Corps (designated the Royal Naval Air Service) - including Airships - Pay & Allowances

1. Men appointed to serve in the Royal Naval Air Service to be graded

.............

Regards Charles

Interesting to note how the Aircraftman ratings were introduced into the RNAS at some point between July 1914 and June 1917.

[Keith_history_buff]

Taken from a thread about ACM II George Philip Horrod, official number F41998, who commenced his service on 22 November 1917, for the duration of hostilities.
 

 

[horatio2]

1 hour ago, Keith_history_buff said:

Please refrain from attributing quotes from one person to a different person.

Thank you, @Keith_history_buff, for so kindly and helpfully pointing out my quotation error. I sincerely apologise for being so careless and will try to refrain from mis-quoting you in future. Mea maxim,a culpa. I hope that you can bring yourself to forgive me.