Pilot training

In order to learn to fly, Athol commenced his pilot training with No.22 Reserve Squadron, Royal Flying Corps, on 17 December 1916.

The No.22 Reserve Squadron was established as an intermediate level training squadron. The squadron was stationed at the No. 3 School of Military Aeronautics, Aboukir (sometimes spelt Abu Qir - see map below) located on the north-eastern outskirts of Alexandria. The school was set up in late November 1916 so Athol would have been one of their first pupils.

The pilots were trained on Avro 504s and Curtiss JN3s but the first fortnight of a pilot's training was book learning.

Map showing Aboukir (Abu Qir)

Ref: http://thetouristinparis.com/paris

Athol photos - sightseeing whilst on Christmas leave

Athol appears to have taken these photos whilst on Christmas leave. They are about 80mm x 60mm. It appears they were all taken on the same roll of film as they have a similar black edge. Athol refers to this period of leave in his letter written on 28 December (yesterday's post) and his visit to Port Said and Alexandria to meet Tug Duffy.

Note the signage on the shopfront on the right 'Feather Store'.

The streets are virtually empty so maybe this was very early morning.

Probably Alexandria or Port Said.

Another mainly deserted street. Probably Alexandria or Port Said.

Probably Port Said as Athol said he went there to meet his friend Tug Duffy who was expected to arrive by troop ship. The ship was late so they ended up meeting later.

Probably Port Said.

Probably Port Said.

Last Letter - 28 December 1916 - Athol starts pilot training at Aboukir

Athol writes home to mother. He thanks her for the Christmas gifts and her cable. He has a few day's leave in Port Said and Alexandria. He starts his pilots' training course at the No.3 School of Military Aeronautics at Aboukir, near Alexandria.

This is Athol's last letter. However, I will continue to make posts to the blog and include some of Athol's photos and use other material to follow his story until February 1917.

No 3 School Military Aeronautics

Aboukir

28.12.16

Dear Mater,

I have quite a list to thank you for this time. Letter 64, Xmas cable, Webbs parcel, 1 parcel clothing, 2 of chocolate, 5 lots of papers.

I left the Squadron on 18th and got into Port Said on Tuesday 19th evening in order to met Tug Duffy on the Kanowina (sp?). She was a day late so I left Port Said and came to Alexandria reporting on 22nd. Pottered about all 23rd and then got leave until 27th as the course hadn't started. So had Xmas in Alexandria. Played tennis in the morning, golf after lunch, billyards after tea and had a dance in the hotel after dinner.

This course lasts a fortnight. It takes a couple of months in England. Then if we pass we go to Heliopolis or 'Ismailia' to fly Maurice Farmans then come back here for Avros and B.Es. The first fortnight is by far the worst and I'll have to work pretty hard. I haven't got today's notes written up quite yet.

Tug Duffy came out to see me here last Saturday as his boat was in that day.

My love to Aunts and Pater,

Yours lovingly,

Athol.

PS Same address.

Service record - posted to flying school

In Athol's service record, now held in the National Archives of Australia (NAA), the Army note that Athol was posted to the "No.3 School of Military Aeronautics for instruction in aviation". I think the transfer was effective from 22 December 1916 which seems to be backed up by the information in his letters.

The lower line item, dated 24 December 1916, says that he was attached to the 20th Reserve Wing of RFC. These RFC reserve wings were established exclusively for training. In Athol's letters he says he is attached to 22nd Reserve Wing.

The three RFC Reserve Wings at Aboukir were training pilots at the No.3 School Military Aeronautics which was newly established facility.

Reference: Australian National Archives - NAA: B2455, ADAMS A G Page 15 of 140

Letter - 10 December 1916 - a flight over the Turkish lines

Athol writes home to mother. More letters and parcels arrive. The men in 'A' Flight form a soccer team as the competition (an English regiment) won't play Australian rules. Athol takes part in a bombing raid of the Turkish lines. He and a friend, Lieut Cole*, plan a trip to Port Said.

Kantara
10.12.16

Dear Mater,

Two letters to thank you for this time 62 & 63 also a pair of boots, and a couple each of Australasians, Punch  and Table Talk etc. I won't want any more boots for ages as I've two pairs that I haven't worn now, and Bruce's boots practically don't wear out. Anyway I've never fairly worn a pair yet through I bunt one and lost two!

There isn't much doing here as usual. We are quite a small family now as 'C' Flight have moved out leaving only 'A' and ...... Cap't Sheldon is acting O.C. Squadron whilst Major Rutledge is in England.

We had a game of soccer the other day, practice match and then yesterday the Squadron team played another Regiment and lost 4 to 1. You see we can't get a game of Australian rules and so have to play the English games.

I had a fly over the Turkish lines the other day. Gave them a couple of bombs to go on with. Didn't do much harm though.

I'm going up to Port Said for the day today with Cole*, the coroner's son. It will be the first time I've been ashore there for over six years. When we went through in '14 we didn't land. My love to the Aunts and Pater.

Yours lovingly,

Athol

Adrian Trevor Cole was the same age as Athol.  Lt Cole was also a Melbourne Grammar boy. He enlised on 28 January 1916 and arrived in Egypt on 16 March 1916. He initially trained as an aircraft mechanic and went on to learn to fly in November at about the same time as Athol gaining his pilot's wings in November 1916. He also served in WW2 in the RAAF and had an interesting career after the War. You can read more about him at:
http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/cole-adrian-lindley-trevor-9780

Capt Adrian Trevor Cole

Australian War Memorial image: P01034.050

c.1917, Palestine