To undergo ?conversion? course to U/T and qualify before he can be confirmed on/in rating
Hello
I can just see a poor W before the weak slash line.
U/T usually means 'under training' and that wouldn't make sense in the sentence.
To undergo conversion course to W/T and qualify before he can be confirmed [ ] rating.
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Originally an Air Fitter (L)
[Electrician, trained to work on Naval aircraft]
L. A. F. (L) - Leading Air Fitter, Electrical.
(D/F) was usually Direction Finding by using a rotating aerial in an aircraft, or on land, or on a sea vessel, to get the direction of another wireless transmitter aerial, either at a land wireless station, or in an aircraft, or sea vessel (crudely put).
In your case (D/F) was probably the same and how he went on to become involved with the Radio Mechanic work.
Radio Mechanic (Repairer / Fitter / Installer), to a Wireless Telegraphy / Telegraphist (Wireless Operator), who could obviously perform both roles.
John Sutherland looks to have began in the Royal Navy trained to work on Aircraft electrical and then later in the Royal Australian Navy.
Air Fitter (L)In 1942 I completed my apprenticeship and was given the rank of Air Fitter (L) (the “L” stood for “electrical”) and went to HQ at Leigh-on-Solent, where I was allocated to HMS Siskin at Gosport. HMS Siskin was a shore base, not a sea-going ship. My job was mostly inspecting aircraft. http://www.wargen.org/3119Mark