CCW Denham

[Chris_Baker]

I am looking at the brief service record of a man who was commissioned on probation into the RFC but relnquished it a few months later on the grounds that he was not physically in shape to be a pilot or observer. (I know the feeling).

He was posted to No. 2 School of Aeronautics at Denham in early April 1917 but before that had a few weeks in "CCW Denham". I am wracking my brains but can not fathom out what CCW means. I am sure it is obvious. Cadet ... ?

[chaz]

presumably thats the one in Buckinghamshire now known as Hawksridge?

wonder if Terry knows..

maybe C = Central as in Central Flying School?

or Combined as in Combined Forces?

maybe W = Wing

[GWRCo]

..........there is a Deham aerodrome/airfield on the outskirts of London which is still used today, and also served in ww2. I understand the airfield (still all grass) was 'born' during the 1stWW.

tim

[Chris_Baker]

Thanks for the replies so far

[Terry Denham]

By best suggestion is 'Cadet Conversion Wing' but I can't find anything to support this.

I once caused great mirth at Denham Airfield when I took a flying lesson there. It seemed to amuse the ground staff no end that their flight departures board read....

Departure Airfield : Denham

Destination Airfield: Denham

Pilot-in-Command: Denham

Apparently a unique occurance there!

[mickdavis]

I suspect Cadet (Corps?) Wing

Officially, the units on Denham were :-

DENHAM* Denham Golf Course, Denham, Buckinghamshire*

1 Cadet Wing* : 1917 from formed : 8.1917 to St Leonards

5 School of Military Aeronautics* : 8.9.1917 from Christ Church College, Oxford* : 1.4.1918 re-designated 5 School of Aeronautics*

6 School of Military Aeronautics* : 1.11.1917 from formed with nucleus from 5 SMA* : 23.1.1918 to 10 Elmdale Road, Clifton, Bristol*

5 School of Aeronautics* : 1.4.1918 from formed ex 5 School of Military Aeronautics* : 15.2.1919 to disbanded

[Neil Mackenzie]

The CW is probably Cadet Wing but what the first C refers to not sure (C Squadron?).

See this link here on Lt FDC Gore who was in 9 Flight, C Squadron, RFC Cadet Wing, Denham (scroll down to the first picture).

Neil

[Chris_Baker]

Ridiculously belated thanks to the above. The Denham school came up in some work I have been doing today, and a quick Google revealed this old thread.