21 Reserve Squadron - when did it move to Heliopolis?

[Errol Martyn]

RAF Flying Training and Support Units since 1912 has 21 Reserve Squadron 'Officially formed12.7.16 at Abbassia', its first relocation is given as Moascar (Imailia) on 5.11.17.

 

I have, however, a letter written by a trainee pilot on 8 February 1917 which he addresses as being written at '21st Reserve Squadron, R.F.C., Heliopolis'.

 

Dose anyone know when the move to Heliopolis took place, please?

 

TIA,

Errol

[nieuport11]

There were initially at Abbassia from 12.7.16 and moved to Moascar (Ismailia) 5.11.17

Several units including the School of Aeronautics were at Heliopolis and as part of the training in Egypt they spend a week or so at different units, some moving between six or so units (21TS, 22TS, 23TS, 57TS, 58TS, 193TS to 197TS, the Armament School, the SMA, the AOS etc) before qualifying

Several of the movement cards also show Heliopolis as the base for 21TS but I think is is just an confusion given the number of moves, or Heliopolis is the location of the authority for the posting/attachment or the previous posting.

[Errol Martyn]

He does say at the beginning of his 8 Feb 17  letter: ' . . .  as you will see I have been on the move again & just settled down here.'

 

'here' can only be Heliopolis, given that's what he has given as his address at the top of the letter?

 

Errol

[nieuport11]

If you look at the movement cards for the Middle East Brigade on casualtyforms.org there are a number of officers at 21RS in February 1917 and all give Abbassia:

Baker    Capt    S    21RS Abbassia    16.01.17    attached    CF27303
Brown    Lt    J    21RS Abbassia    12.02.17    posted as Instr    CF27653
Collins    Lt    HEC    21RS Abbassia    12.02.17    attached for instr    CF28029
Colyer    2Lt    D    21RS Abbassia    12.02.17    attached for instr    CF28033
Chambre    Capt    J    21RS Abbassia    13.02.17    attached as MO    CF27902
Binning    Maj    KR    21RS Abbassia    01.03.17    posted as Flt Comdr    CF27469
 

They start giving an Ismailia location in October 1917

Ashton    2Lt    NC    21TS Ismailia    04.10.17    posted    CF27236
Barker    Lt    RIP    21RS Ismailia    10.10.17    attached    CF27347
Ashton    2Lt    PM    21TS Ismailia    10.10.17    attached    CF27226
Butt    2Lt    A    21TS Ismailia    10.10.17    attached    CF27748
Despard    Capt    HL    21TS Ismailia    10.10.17    attached    CF28312
 

[Errol Martyn]

Thanks Andrew. Looks pretty convincing!

 

I wonder if 'Heliopolis' address on the letter was related to where inward letters were to be addressed at the time, for collection there or onward distribution to 21 RS (and perhaps also the case for other units, too?).

 

Cheers,

Errol

[nieuport11]

As I understand it, Abbassia is a suburb to the NE of Cairo on the way out to Heliopolis and so they may have been billetted at Heliopolis

The NZ camp at Zeitoun was in between the two

[Errol Martyn]

Thanks Andrew.

That seems most likely to be the answer to my query.

Cheers,

Errol

[Guest]

Mate,

 

I didn't record where this unit was in most soldiers files, but some I do;

 

BLAKE    Henry Arthur    211    2/AM    1 Sqn AFC    B Flight Motor Cyclist (not on emb roll) att F Div HQ 4-16 to HF operator 7-16 to 3 SMA Abbassia 8-17 to 21 Res Sqn RFC Ismailia 9-17 prom 2/Lt 11-17 att 58 Trg Sqn RFC Suez 12-17 rtn (pilot) C Flight 67 Sqn (1 Sqn) AFC 12-17 att 23 Trg Sqn RFC Aboukir 1-18 rtn 3-18 reported forced landing with A/M Jensen in BF (1128) near mejdel on escort sortie 10-3-18 reported accident FE 2b crashed 14-8-18 at Beersheba MID - reason not stated (CMF 4 years later WWII )
 

LUKIS    Francis William Fellowes    39    Cpl    10 LHR    MG Sect to Sgt 10-15 (G) prom 2/Lt 2 Troop 3 LH MGS (from harper) 30-7-16 to 67 Sqn (1 Sqn) AFC 2-17 qual Obsver 4-17 to 3 SMA Abbassia 9-17 to 21 Trg Sqn RFC Ismailia 10-17 to 22 Trg Sqn RFC Aboukir 12-17 to 23 Trg Sqn RFC Aboukir 1-18 rtn (pilot) B Flight 67 Sqn (1 Sqn) AFC 1-18 brought to the notice of the Secretary of State for war for Valuable Services prom Capt OC B Flight 8-18 2x MID - reasons not stated (MG sect/25 LH CMF 18 months relist RAAF 1920 to SqnLdr 2-7-26 to 1 Sqn RAAF 2-2-29 to WingCdr 1-7-34 awarded OBE 18-6-38 later WWII Air Cmdre CBE RAAF) brother Robert 11Bn 
 

TUNBRIDGE    John Vincent    155    Pte    1 Sqn AFC    HQ Motor cyclist att F Div 4-16 prom 2/Lt 3 SMA Aboukir 6-16 att 21 Res Sqn RFC at Heliopolis 9-16 to (pilot) 67 Sqn (1 Sqn) AFC 10-16 WIA 11-5-17 burns arms, chest & abdoman shown injured in plane G 100 accident reported when flare cartridge hit by German bullet in combat & MC - for his actions during operations and his actions 11-5-17 RTA wounds disch 12-12-17 (CMF 2 years later WWII) related Walter 9 LHR

 

MORGAN    Albert John    1378    A/Sgt    02 LHR    11R Tos 1-16 att WFF to T/Sgt 1 LHTR 3-16 to T/RSM 9-16 to 3 SMA 3-17 to 21 Res Sqn RFC Abbassia 4-17 to 22 Res Sqn & 23 Res Sqn RFC Aboukir 5-17 prom 2/Lt (pilot) 67 Sqn (1 Sqn) AFC 6-17 shown on bombing sorties to Amman station 10-1-18 & Huwara 25-1-18 and many reccee stories during month shown on bombing sorties to Kalat el Hasa 5-3-18 to Lubban 10-3-18 to Kutrani with 142 Sqn RFC 19-3-18 to Shunet Nimrin 24-3-18 to 7 Trg Sqn AFC UK 8-18 (1Sqn/14 LH QMI & A Troop ASqn/3 LH CMF 2 years) 
 

ROBINSON    Sydney William    379    Pte    02 LHR    B Sqn to L/Cpl 12-14 (G) to Sgt 11Co/3Bn ICC 6-16 to cadet 3 SMA Aboukir 8-17 to 21 Trg Sqn RFC Ismailia 10-17 to 58 Trg Sqn RFC Suez 11-17 to 195 Trg Sqn RFC & 57 Trg Sqn RFC Abu Semi 12-17 prom 2/Lt (pilot) 5-12-17 to 67 Sqn (1 Sqn) AFC 2-18 rtn air fighting school 57 Trg Sqn RFC Abu Semi 4-18 brother Edwin ICC
 

Cheers

S.B

[Errol Martyn]

Thanks Steve.

Cheers,

Errol

[Guest]

Mate,

 

Sorry I ment to say that it appears from AIF records on these men, that the unit was at different places at different times, as you mentioned.

 

But I don't know enough to say when they moved.

 

S.B

[Errol Martyn]

A final, contemporary, word, perhaps, about 21 Reserve Squadron at Abbassia and its relationship to Heliolpolis.

Recently posted to the RS, New Zealander ‘Will’ Coates, on Heliopolis House Hotel, Heliopolis, Cairo letterhead, on 14 February 1917, writes:

I have popped in here for an opportunity of writing you a few lines, as it is difficult to get a quiet corner in camp, where one can collect one’s thoughts. There is such a crowd at the school [ie, the RS] now, 3 or 4 in a hut & the anteroom always crowded, so if you want to get a quiet corner, the only thing is to come across here about 5 minutes walk from the school.

Errol

 

Edited 25 March , 2019 by Errol Martyn