Help please in understanding Royal Flying Corps postings

[Etchesfamily]

Hi,
I'm researching a John Borrill Etches, (whose military record is in the name John Barrett Etches). He served with the Royal Flying Corps in WW1. I have attached part of his service record and would really appreciate some help in interpretting the various postings shown on the record, so that I can understand what he did during the war.
Many thanks
Les

[Tarnwater]

Hello,
My great grandfather was also posted to 2AD, it was No. 2 Air Depot, based near St. Omer, France.

[BushInn1746]

Hello Les

Welcome to Rootschat

Sq & Sqdn is Squadron
Bde HQ is Brigade Headquarters
Wg is a Wing
Trg Wg, Training Wing


I can only find Baldonnel (Ireland) mentioned on the TNA, Kew, website after the War from 1920
http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C5318647

Mark

[MaxD]

It is actually his RAF record which incorporates his previous RFC record.

The dates from Sep 1916 when he went overseas are when he was serving with the Royal Flying Corps and those from 1 April 1918 after he, with all the other RFC and RNAS men were transferred into the RAF.   His trade at the time of transfer was photographer.

The RFC squadrons are clear enough, list here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Royal_Flying_Corps_squadrons

MaxD

[MaxD]

From 2 Squadron he is posted to the RD (RAF Depot) at Blandford in Jun 1918.  From there to the School of Photography at Farnborough in July 1918.
The next 3 entries which all dated the same day look like an administrative "tidy up" of his records relating to the Wings within which which his units belonged rather than 3 moves on the same day!
They result in him being at 24 TDS Training Depot Station at Thetford in Aug 1918.  From there he goes to Baldonnel airfield (the unit is BDU, Bomber or Bombing Development Unit) in Ireland in Jan 19.


MaxD