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World War Two / Could LAC Donald Pike have been a rear gunner?
« on: Tuesday 29 September 20 22:44 BST (UK) »
My uncle Donald Robert Pike (Don) enlisted in the RAF in March 1940 at No 2 Recruitment Centre, Cardington.
His service number was MILITIA 958402 and after basic training became a Telephone Operator and was posted with 961 Sqn (21 Air Defence Coastal Command and UK), Dover - Barrage Balloons on 28 August 1940.
He was recommended for Air Gunner training in 1941 and was selected in August 1942 attending the Aircrew Receiving Centre in Regents Park, London in November of that year. He attended 14 Initial Training Wing in Bridlington in January 1943 and joined the North African Air Forces (231 Wing) in December 1943.
He was discharged in February 1946. Below are the details taken from his service record:
Date of Enlistment 27/03/1940 Service Commences 27/03/1940
Trade A.C.H. General Duties 27/03/1940
Employments (mustering) A.C.H. Telephone Operator 29/08/1940 Telephonist 29/01/1942
Last Employment (Telephonist) Group III 15/04/1943
Rank;Trade AC2; ACH/TO 31/12/1940
LAC; ACH/TO 31/12/1941
LAC; Telephonist 31/12/1944
LAC; Telephonist 1945
I always thought, through family stories, that he was a rear gunner on Wellington bombers, however as I understand it rear gunners were usually sergeants or above. Don didn’t achieve a rank above LAC so would this mean he did not complete his aircrew training and remained a telephone operator?
His service number was MILITIA 958402 and after basic training became a Telephone Operator and was posted with 961 Sqn (21 Air Defence Coastal Command and UK), Dover - Barrage Balloons on 28 August 1940.
He was recommended for Air Gunner training in 1941 and was selected in August 1942 attending the Aircrew Receiving Centre in Regents Park, London in November of that year. He attended 14 Initial Training Wing in Bridlington in January 1943 and joined the North African Air Forces (231 Wing) in December 1943.
He was discharged in February 1946. Below are the details taken from his service record:
Date of Enlistment 27/03/1940 Service Commences 27/03/1940
Trade A.C.H. General Duties 27/03/1940
Employments (mustering) A.C.H. Telephone Operator 29/08/1940 Telephonist 29/01/1942
Last Employment (Telephonist) Group III 15/04/1943
Rank;Trade AC2; ACH/TO 31/12/1940
LAC; ACH/TO 31/12/1941
LAC; Telephonist 31/12/1944
LAC; Telephonist 1945
I always thought, through family stories, that he was a rear gunner on Wellington bombers, however as I understand it rear gunners were usually sergeants or above. Don didn’t achieve a rank above LAC so would this mean he did not complete his aircrew training and remained a telephone operator?