Moonraker Posted 8 April , 2022 Share Posted 8 April , 2022 The April 1918 issue of Speedy, "The C.F.S. Magazine", asks for contributions from "Boys, Americans, Waacs". Who were the "Boys"? Were they very young personnel or was the word merely an informal term for servicemen on the the airfield? Perhaps it was a play on the establishment being a "school"? (At that stage of the war, American pilots were training at several Wiltshire airfields and the magazine includes a photo of some 60 WAAC "Staff of Waitresses and Cooks" - and another full-page one of Lt Col L A Strange, "our late assistant commandant".) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alf mcm Posted 8 April , 2022 Share Posted 8 April , 2022 'Boy' was a rank in R.F.C. and R.A.F., in 1918 being paid 1s. per day. https://www.rafweb.org/Ranks-Uniform/Ranks6.htm Regards, Alf McM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete-c Posted 8 April , 2022 Share Posted 8 April , 2022 24 minutes ago, Moonraker said: The April 1918 issue of Speedy, "The C.F.S. Magazine", asks for contributions from "Boys, Americans, Waacs". Who were the "Boys"? Were they very young personnel or was the word merely an informal term for servicemen on the the airfield? Perhaps it was a play on the establishment being a "school"? (At that stage of the war, American pilots were training at several Wiltshire airfields and the magazine includes a photo of some 60 WAAC "Staff of Waitresses and Cooks" - and another full-page one of Lt Col L A Strange, "our late assistant commandant".) Moonraker - Cranwell had a 'Boy's Training Wing' to which my Grandfather was transferred (presumably as an Instructor) in August 1918. Details of this particular 'unit' have proved elusive so I'd be interested in any replies to this post. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moonraker Posted 8 April , 2022 Author Share Posted 8 April , 2022 Thanks for the speedy replies. Belatedly, I've just looked at my copy of CFS by John W R Taylor, but can see no references. Pete: I see what you mean about details of the Wing being elusive - Googling produced little. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alf mcm Posted 8 April , 2022 Share Posted 8 April , 2022 This article may be of interest;- http://www.oldcranwellians.info/ewExternalFiles/Haslam Ch5.pdf Regards, Alf McM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete-c Posted 8 April , 2022 Share Posted 8 April , 2022 4 hours ago, alf mcm said: This article may be of interest;- http://www.oldcranwellians.info/ewExternalFiles/Haslam Ch5.pdf Regards, Alf McM Alf - this is much appreciated. Cheers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moonraker Posted 13 April , 2022 Author Share Posted 13 April , 2022 Just discovered this book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Royal-Flying-Corps-Boy-Service/dp/0721208304 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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