RAF is this a "Training photo"

[jmp]

I was wondering if anyone could tell me if in their opinion this is a "Training" photo. My Dad is on the far left immediately above the chaps seated. He was called up in September 1940 to the RAFVR and ordered to report to Blackpool.

However I also have a Francis Frith post card from Cambridge with a picture of Trinity Hall Cambridge on it and an annotation on the back saying the X's are their bedrooms and sitting room. I wonder if anyone can in addition tell me if this was a billeting post for early trainees and the photo attached may therefore be taken at Cambridge instead of Blackpool.  Unfortuntately the card is not dated.

The flashes in the hats and lack of insignia make me think this photo must have been taken fairly early on. I dont know the significance of the "flashes" but no doubt someone out there can enlighten me.

For information I have also included the reverse in case anyone else recognises their relatives in the photo at some later date

Thanks to everyone in advance
Jackie

[WelwynGC1]

Hi Jackie, great photo, l would say definitely early on as the white flash on the cap usually means they were U/T (under training).

I wonder how many of the brave boys survived the war??

My Uncle also went to Blackpool early on in his training (1942), but was sadly lost on ops to Berlin in Sept. 43.

Certain someone on here can tell you more.

Happy hunting!!

Steve.

[kyt]

As Steve said the while flashes indicate aircrew under training. From the windows and masonary, I would say that that is Cambridge.

There were a number of bases around Cambridge and so its very likely some were billeted in some of the dorms.

I haven't had a chance to look at all the names but one name that I looked up is Fairfoull. There are no officers by that name (in the RAF) in the LG but there is a Fairfoull lost with 252 Squadron in 1942:

http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2110568

He is listed as Killed on Active Service so possibly an aircraft crash whilst training or similar.

[Flakdodger]

Very likely Cambridge, where 1 ITW (Initial Training Wing) occupied various University facilities.
Blackpool was RAFtown UK all though the war. No doubt your Father reported to 9 Recruit Centre. He might have only been there a short time and may well have been billeted out in a civilian household.
Dave

[jmp]

Thank you both very much indeed I may post the picture on the Cambridge board and see if anyone can ID where the photo was taken. Thanks Dave ( you have just posted whilst I was writing this post) , having dug his log books out again, I have seen he was at 22 EFTS in Cambridge between Feb and April 1941.

I wonder if I can ask another couple of very basic questions whilst on the question of early training/ uniform etc?

I have these 3 additional photos, and am trying to put them in order, I think I have but would just like to confirm with you knowledgeable folk.  

The first I think must be the earliest, not least because of the rather severe haircut , but the flash on the cap doesn't seem to be the same as that on the photo above. Do you think this photo was taken earlier or later than the group photo please?

The second photo I guess is after because of the propeller on the sleeve, please can someone just enlighten me as to what this meant?

The third which I will post seperately I think must be the last photo because of the "wings". Can someone just confirm the colour of the wings - were they white or gold coloured?

I know from his log books that he was at No. 22 EFTS Cambridge Feb 22 1941 to April 2 1941
Then to No 17 EFTS North Luffenham for one day April 21 1941
Then onto No 2 SFTS Brize Norton  24 Apr 1941 to 29 Jun 1941 and after that  to
No 15 OTU Wyton from 9 Jul 1941 to 28 Aug 1941 and then finally posted to 15 Squadron Wyton from 25 September 1941

Can someone also tell me what EFTS, SFTS and OTU mean

Sorry this is such a long question, but I am trying to get the photos in some sort of order and it would be nice to "slot them in" where appropriate.

Thankyou everyone
Jackie

[jmp]

Third photo as mentioned above
J

[kyt]

Yep it looks like you have them in order. The second one is after he was promoted to Leading Aircraftman (the propeller on sleeve). The third one is after he qualified as a pilot and received his wings.

[jmp]

Thank you Kyt

[kyt]

Oops forgot your other questions:

EFTS - Elementary Flying Training School
SFTS - Service Flying Training School
OTU - Operational Training Unit (usually the final step in operational training before being despatched to a squadron)

As to the exact colour of the wings, I'm afraid I cannot help as I am colour blind  but they weren't gold.

K