Emmakhamilton Posted 27 February , 2008 Share Posted 27 February , 2008 Hi there From his RFC statement of service record for his time in the ranks, Lieut Frederick Spottiswoode Ganter (2532) enlisted in the RFC at South Farnborugh as an Air Mechanic 2nd Class on 10th December 1914. First query: At the the time of his enlistemnt his unit is stated as "RD" - Anyone know what the abbreviation RD stands for? The entry immediately after that detailing his enlistment shows that he was appointed Air Mechanic 1st Class with 24 Squadron RFC on 1st December 1915. His military history sheet also shows that he was in France from 14th January 1915 to 10th September 1915. Second query: It seems strange to me that he was sent to France little more than a month after enlisting. Was this a normal occurrence? And would he have still been with "RD" when sent to France at this time or would he have been asigned to a Squadron? Cheers Emma Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
APW Posted 27 February , 2008 Share Posted 27 February , 2008 Emma RD is probably Recruit Depot. In the early part of the war most of the RFC was deployed to France therefore that's where the work was. He might have been assigned to a depot rather than a squadron. Patrick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starlight Posted 27 February , 2008 Share Posted 27 February , 2008 Hi Emma, My grandfather enlisted in the RFC in October 1915 as a 1st Class Air Mechanic and after three weeks of basic training he was sent out to France (St Omer). Ten days later (exactly a month after enlisting) he was posted to a squadron. Towards the end of 1915 the length of time spent on training prior to being sent out to France increased significantly as training became more formalised. Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
per ardua per mare per terram Posted 27 February , 2008 Share Posted 27 February , 2008 What was his civil occupation? The RFC wanted skills and he had those so there wasn't much they could teach him in 1914: salute everything that moves and how to march! RD = Repair Depot as there is no other entry that's who he served with in France. Do the entry dates on his MICs match his entry into France? Do they give any other details? 24 Sqn was formed 1 September 1915 AIR 1/690/21/20/24 History of 24 Squadron, R.A.F. 1915-1936 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emmakhamilton Posted 29 February , 2008 Author Share Posted 29 February , 2008 Thanks guys In civilain life he was a general fitter and, yes, the date he went to France in his service record matches the date in his MIC. Cheers Emma Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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