I'm hoping someone is able to help me make sense of my grandfather's WW2 RAF service record. I've been deciphering it slowly, but I'm stuck on one part that makes no sense to me, no matter how much I research. He was drafted as an Aircrafthand (General Duties), and stationed at 2 Recruit Centre Cardington 13 Jun 1941 for basic training, and then left there on 25 Jul 1941 to go to "1 Wg 16 RC Cardiff" (which has HH in the Reason column). I understand HH is Headquarters Holding (or Reserve Command), but I can't find any details regarding 1 Wing, or 16 RC in Cardiff (RC = Reserve Command??). He was stationed there until 14 Aug 1941 before moving on to 51 OTU at Cranfield. Does anyone know anything about 1 Wg 16 RC Cardiff? Any help or advice would be very much appreciated.
No.16 RC was a similar setup to No.2 RC AIR 29/50416 Recruits Centre, based in Great Yarmouth then Sudbury (UK); includes Station Sick Quarters (SSQ). No.1 Wing was a subdivision of the Recruit centre and usually consisted of A, B and C Squadrons all associated with basic ground training. Since the reason was HH this is usually associated with a holding posting until space becomes available on the training stream. Regards Ross
Thanks so much for that, that's great - but I can't figure out why it says 'Cardiff' on the service record?
I've scanned the page relating to unit postings which shows 'Cardiff' (lines 4 and 5) dated 25/7/41 (40 days into his basic training, which started at Cardington on 13/6/41). Does anyone know if I'm reading this right? I think I've identified all the areas he was posted, bar this one, and also a reference on 13/2/46 to a stay in an EMS hospital a few months before he was released, which I can't make out the name of. Again, does it ring any bells with anyone? Many thanks.
