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