Joining up/Training

Joining up/Training

Account of Peter Potter's experiences following signing up to join the RAF.

One page printed document

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MPotterPL1878961-150914-27

JOINING UP/TRAINING
After signing on I had a short wait before having my first medical at the Culver
Street Methodist Church in Colchester and another wait before my Aircrew
medical at Cardington. This was followed by the Aircrew educational test. There
was a further wait before being called up to St. John's Wood where I was billeted in
Grove Court, a block of luxury flats on the Marylebone Road.
. * The following day we were kitted out at Regent's Park Zoo (Monkeys) where we
were introduced to 'wads' and Naafi teas. 'Wads' was a mixture of stale bread,
fruits and other ingredients boiled together then enclosed in pastry in large trays,
baked and cut into 'wads’. These were then sold to us for one penny and were
much tastier than they looked! Dining was at Hamilton Court just across the road.
We were tested for swimming ability at the Beaumont Street Baths (3 lengths). We
were assessed for trade and mine was PNB but when told the training was 2 years I
volunteered for Air Gunner as it was 9 months. Several others did the same.
Our pay was 18 shillings a week and at the end of the course we were promoted to
L.A.C. and six shillings and sixpence a day.
*(Photos at Lords Cricket Ground)