Identification of RAF Units post WWI

[hokum50]

I am researching a South African relative who served in the South African Union Defence Force from 1912 to 1918 as a Private in the 4th Umooti Mounted Rifles.
On 24 Sep 1918 he embarked on HMS Argyshire for the UK to join the RAF as an Overseas Cadet.  My belief is that he was a Cadet Pilot.  In the 8 months that he was with the RAF he served at the following units, which I would be grateful if they could be decyphered:
21 Oct 1918 - Posted to CWW
9 Nov 1918 - Posted to 8 CW
7 Jan 1919 - Posted to 2 C Wing
On his record after 2 C Wing there is a reference to Blandford Repatriation Camp.
On 14 Feb 1919 he was discharged from the RAF the following day a London Gazette entry - Air Force List Memoranda Overseas Cadet C P WOOLMORE granted a temporary commission as a 2nd Lt and was repatriated to South Africa in that rank.
Grateful for any clues or directions for searching.

[JustinL]

You'll kick yourself. CW = Cadet Wing

Are you absolutely certain that earlier acronym is CWW? Could it be CDD = Cadet Distribution Depot, Hampstead.

One of my great-uncles followed the same path as your chap; he served in the infantry, but then enlisted in the RAF in mid-1918.

Can you post the image (or part thereof)?

Justin

[ShaunJ]

Are you absolutely certain that earlier acronym is CWW? Could it be CDD = Cadet Distribution Depot,

Looking at the record, it is definitely CDD

[hokum50]

Justin
Shaun
Duh - I consider myself severely kicked Justin, looking at CPW's movements/appointments card I can see CDD and I should have worked out the "C."
A few question if I may:
Was CDD Hampstead a tri-service?
Were 8 Cadet and 2 Cadet Wings, co-located within one Flying Training School or separate FTS?

SANDF supplied me with a number of sheets from CPW's service records which showed that on his repatriation to South Africa there is no record of any military service until 25 Jun 1940 when he enlisted as 1827 Pte  CPW of B Coy Umooti Rifles.  I quite thoight that he would have joined the fledgling SAAF which in its infancy about this time wasn't it?

CPW was reported missing on 20 Jun 1942 later confirmed PoW in Italy and Germany. 10 Apr 1945 arrived in UK after release from PoW camp and finally discharged 23 Aug 1945.

On his AM Form 175 for 84562 Cadet CPW under the block "Prior Engagement in HM Forces" there is and entry 4 "Nild or "Mtd" R.S.A. in GWA."  I assume the DWA was German West Africa, any ideas, what the rest is.
Regards
Ken

[barryd]

" I assume the DWA was German West Africa".

Probably not. German South West Africa ceased to exist as that name in 1915".

On second thoughts he was a Rifleman in 1915 and capturing GSWA was achieved by the South Africans in 1915. But GSWA and GWA are possibly not related for your soldier/airman.   

[ShaunJ]

The previous service record also shows that he was a rifleman and was demobbed in 1915. That would fit with the end of the campaign in GSWA.

See  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_West_Africa for use of the term "German West Africa" to include GSWA. 

There's a comprehensive list of South African military units in that period here: http://www.kaiserscross.com/40117/40726.html

[JustinL]

Hello Ken,

I assume that the CDD was an RAF establishment.

When I was researching these things, I was told that Nos 2 and 8 (as well as 1, 5 ad 6) Cadet Wings were Ground Training Units (as opposed to a Flying Training Units) based at Shorncliffe in the RAF's South Eastern Area.

Can you post the section of the service record with this entry? Unfortunately, the other image you have posted has insufficient resolution to be legible.

Justin

[hokum50]

Hi Justin
It's most frustrating trying to attach copies of CPW's military records, with the attachments my reply is too large.  If I reduce the attachment sizes any more than I have, they will be unreadable as you found with my Reply No 3.
On page 2 of the AM Form 175 I referred to "Cadet Pilot" has been hand written at the top.

[ShaunJ]

Detail from the AM175: