Assistance needed Reading 'period of engagement' on RAF record

[Ceryswyn]

Hello,

I recently found my Great Grandfather's military records after years of searching. I'm having some trouble understanding the notation underneath the period of engagement on the right side of this screen shot. Could anyone help me?

Thank you.

[majm]

3 C.  9 R.

If this were for 19th century Defence Service, I would suspect it was for  a total of  12 years in all,  so the first 3 years as full time service,  followed by 9 in the Reserve. But RAF cannot be 19th century and I am not familiar with RAF being mentioned on forms.

JM

[Ceryswyn]

Ah! now that might actually make some sense to me.

This chap joined the army in 1901 (though why it says 1902 on this record I'm not sure) and by 1905 he was apparently an ex-soldier, and deserter, with a minor stint in jail.

The excerpt I posted is from his attestation into the RAF in 1917.

I was confused because it states that his "Prior engagement in H.M Forces: 6th Battalion Reg, from 11.2.01 to 10.2.14", when the records I had said he was no longer in service in 1905. However your comment about the 3 years in service and 9 years in the reserves would actually fit very nicely with these dates.

[q98]

The Royal Air Force did not come into being until 1st April 1918 when the Royal Flying Corps (RFC), the air arm of the British Army merged with the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS).

[Raybistre]

Think The C stands for Colours and R is for Reserve. So as previous posters have said 3 years in the Army and 9 years in the Army Reserve.
Ray