Author Topic: What RFC/RAF units might these refer to?  (Read 508 times)

Offline andrewdwilliams

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What RFC/RAF units might these refer to?
« on: Saturday 19 January 19 12:22 GMT (UK) »
Hi, I'm looking at the RFC/RAF service record of one of my ancestors from the First World War. It has some detail on the units he served with, but I can't figure out exactly what they are. From my reading of it, the units seem to be:

7 B. W.
1 B. Sq.
? C Clipstone (probably Clipstone Camp for demobbing)

I would have thought the B. referred to 'Bomber' but there is no reference to a 7th Bomber Wing in the RFC/RAF, and 1 Squadron appears to have had a reconnaissance role. Unless it is actually an R. and I am reading it wrong. Attached is the text as it appears on the service record if anyone has a better idea.
SCOTT, WOOD, STEEL/STEELE, HOLMES, LEE, COLLEDGE, SHAKESHAFT/SHACKSHAFT, O'NEILL, SPINK, BAILEY

Offline MaxD

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Re: What RFC/RAF units might these refer to?
« Reply #1 on: Saturday 19 January 19 15:30 GMT (UK) »
The B is balloon.  1 Balloon Squadron (Crystal Palace) within 7 Balloon Wing are those mentioned.  I can't find an RAF connection with Clipstone.


MaxD
I am Zoe Northeast, granddaughter of Maximilian Double.
 
It is with great difficulty I share with you that in the early hours of 07 August 2021, Maximilian passed away unexpectedly but peacefully.

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Offline medpat

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Re: What RFC/RAF units might these refer to?
« Reply #2 on: Saturday 19 January 19 15:49 GMT (UK) »
Clipstone is a village near Mansfield Nottinghamshire but during WW1 had a large training camp built for new recruits to the army. There may have been balloons there for defence of the trainees.

https://www.ourmansfieldandarea.org.uk/content/place/clipstone/clipstone-camp

During WW2 there was a nearby RAF camp at Worksop.
GEDmatch M157477

Offline andrewdwilliams

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Re: What RFC/RAF units might these refer to?
« Reply #3 on: Saturday 19 January 19 18:46 GMT (UK) »
The B is balloon.  1 Balloon Squadron (Crystal Palace) within 7 Balloon Wing are those mentioned.  I can't find an RAF connection with Clipstone.


MaxD
That's great, thank you. I hadn't even considered Balloon as the prefix.

As it explicitly mentions Clipstone I think it must mean the camp rather than the Worksop camp as medpat has helpfully suggested. Although as it was 1919 I think it may have been possible he passed through for demob purposes.
SCOTT, WOOD, STEEL/STEELE, HOLMES, LEE, COLLEDGE, SHAKESHAFT/SHACKSHAFT, O'NEILL, SPINK, BAILEY