The term W/Op (Air) LEA on the attached record has defeated all attempts on dedicated RAF sites so far to decipher the LEA part, I wonder whether it will do better here. Max
I presume you've already understood the second line F.2171. No. 22 ACSB? RAF Form 2171A, the Aviation Candidates Selection Board Assessment Form I hazard a very rough guess that the "A" may refer to Allowance, a guess might be Local (or Living?) Expense Allowance. If I'm right, I'm getting a lottery ticket!!
Yes thanks - only the LEA is foxing everyone. Forgive me but what would an allowance have to do with a recommendation for training in the trade of W/Op (Air). Max
You're forgiven.That's another question - you've been trying to get an answer for over 7 years, and haven't succeeded so far. I don't know, but other than Local Education Authority, I was trying to find three sensible words to fit the acronym. Almost 80 years on, I've no idea, just guessing what they might mean. They might not be connected to the recommendation, so if he was being deferred then an Allowance to live Locally??
I have asked this question on a dedicated RAF forum - nul points so far, looked at lists of RAF trade groups 1938-1942, at glossaries and lists of abbreviations all with no success! Perversely, that element of the abbreviation doesn't appear in the mustering column in the On Entry entry (!). Perhaps it is something like you propose but I don't find the abbreviation on its own either! Ho Hum Max
Local Exercise Area? https://assets.publishing.service.g...3/20140808_MOD_Acronyms_and_Abbreviations.pdf
Local Education Authority. The Air Ministry had originally devised a scheme whereby LEAs would recommend/sponsor boys to take the examination for admission to Halton (note LEAs first formed in 1902 were rather different from modern ones). This extended to recommending lads for technical training. The LEA has made the recommendation that he should be trained as a W Op hence the form for assessment See Wing Commander Sophy Gardner, ‘Your Boy’s Future’ – Apprentice Training and Social Mobility in the Early Royal Air Force DEFENCE-IN-DEPTH Research from the Defence Studies Department, King's College London
Brilliant. I (like Kevin) had thought Local Education Authority but could not establish how it connected - I am most grateful particularly for the source. many many thanks indeed. Max
? Asking your question back.... What about Lee Enfield Armament? or simply the initials of the person recommending the W/Op training
What was he flying on? Maybe the W/Op was also expected to look after something electrical, a dual role so to speak. Being of a nautical bent, I was think Leading Electrical Artificer, but maybe Aircraftman instead. Yes sounds daft, shut up Baldy! , but I did find this link Operation Colossus
Something else electrical obviously. Dual role not uncommon. WOp/AG I could go with your LEA theory except he had already joined the fledgling ATC in Aug 41?
It seems as if recent responders haven't read the source document kindly provided by Robert W above which is quite clear. Extract: The Air Ministry approached the challenges of attracting sufficient applicants by reaching out to those geographically and economically distant from the opportunities the training offered. Working with Local Education Authorities (LEAs), who provided vital local assistance and knowledge to the centralised bureaucracy of the post-war RAF, the Air Ministry devised a system in which boys were nominated by their LEA for examinations held locally. The express intention was to make the process as accessible as possible, devised to be ‘brought as far as possible into line with the ordinary work of schools so that a boy can take it without special preparation’ and without the need to travel far. The Air Ministry wanted to make sure it captured able boys even if their parents could not afford ‘the expense of sending them to some distant examination centre’.[3] He didn't join the ATC in August 1941 he was an ex member of that organisation (founded as ATC in Feb 41). I am totally content with the answer that Robert W has kindly provided Max
The Royal Air Force: The Trenchard Years, 1918–1929 https://www.raf-ff.org.uk/service-personnel/abbreviations-acronyms/
When it was decided to split the WO/AG designation into the Wireless Operator and Air Gunner to allocate shared workload duties to crew up the 4 engined heavies entering Bomber Command and to also satisfy crewing of Coastal Command aircraft,the W Op (air) was further split into five sub categories. W Op (air) Wireless Operator duties only.... as found in B.C ...later designated Signaller from early 1944. W Op (air) Wireless Operator and emergency gunner...as found in C.C W Op (air) G) Wireless Operator and air gunner.....as found in C.C W Op (air) (ASV) Wireless Operator and ASV operator.....ASV anti shipping and submarine radar.....as found in C.C W Op (air) (ASVG) Wireless Operator,ASV Operator and Air Gunner...as found in C.C The airman was a former member of the ATC which was formed in February 1941 from the Air Defence Cadet Corps...the ADCC. It would be interesting to see his service number reveals which might be in a batch allocated to ex ATC members. From what has been reveal from the document,It would appear that he never passed out as a W Op (air) but at some time remustered as a Flight Engineer and was lost on 18 July 1943 after passing out as a F.E on 31 May 1942.
Itdan - thank you for the listing which beats any seen elsewhere Harry Ree - thank you for that additional comprehensive info to tuck away for future reference. His number was 1600812, he was born in 1924. He was re-mustered as an FME in 1942 after a spell on reserve and then Flt Eng in early 1943. Max
