Athol photos - flying school

I have grouped these Athol-photos here as I think they were taken at the No.3 School of Military Aeronautics, Aboukir. You can see that the same sort of shed appears in the background with its distinctive camouflage on the walls of the hangers.

No notations on the reverse of the photo so I don't know the names of these people. They could be members of the AFC - some of whom brought their own 'motor-bicycles' from Melbourne.

No notations on the reverse so I do not know who they are.

These men appear to be in the middle of a class. They are wearing a range of uniforms so probably all assembled at the No.3 School of Military Aeronautics outside a hanger.

No notations on the reverse. 

No notations on the reverse.

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

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