The attached snippet is from the record of a WRAF servicewoman trained and employed as a Clerk EA. I am happy with some of the units, help (unit and locations if poss) with the ones in bold would be much appreciated. S of C A - guessing School of Clerks and Accounts?. Station XXXXXXXXX - can't read this one 5 COTU - Coastal Operational Conversion Unit? The record (and another RAF one I have) has two rubber stamps in the Miscellaneous box each saying "Annual Filming" followed by a month and year - may I ask what these are all about? MaxD
RAF Talbenny No.5 Coastal Operational Training Unit Filming just means that her paper record was microfilmed for archive and backup purposes Ross
RAF Long Kesh - Wikipedia OTUs 1 - 23 This was originally formed as the No 12 Group Pool in Fighter Command on 15 March 1940 at Aston Down. Initially equipped with a few Gladiators and Blenheims, it was soon operating up to 40 Hurricanes and 24 Blenheims as well as Masters and Defiants. A few Spitfires were used between May and August 1940 and during this period (July) the OTU was transferred to No 10 Group. The unit was disbanded by being renamed No 55 OTU on 1 November 1940. It was planned to reform the unit as No 5 (Coastal) OTU, within No 17 Group at Turnberry to train Beaufort crews, but due to the failure to complete the airfield on time the unit actually reformed at Chivenor on 1 August 1941, taking over the Beauforts from No 3 (C) OTU. As well as Beauforts, the OTU also used Ansons and Oxfords. Between 3 - 16 May 1942, the unit moved to its intended location of Turnberry, where Hampdens were added to the unit's inventory. The unit moved again on 29 December 1942, this time to Long Kesh in Northern Ireland, using Maghaberry as a satellite from February to September 1943. During 1943 a number of changes took place, In February, No 3 (Anson) Preliminary Training Flight was transferred to No 10 Radio School, by November, Beaufort training was being cut back due to successes in the Mediterranean and Hampdens were replaced by Venturas and Hudsons were transferred from No 1 (C) OTU. Early in February 1944 the unit moved back to Turnberry and in April it took over No 1 Torpedo Training Unit and Beaufighters began to replace Beauforts. In May 1944 the ASR Training Unit was absorbed from Thornaby and the unit was now operating Beaufighters, Venturas, Hudsons, Warwicks, Oxfords and Martinets. By the time it disbanded on 1 August 1945, it had also added Wellingtons and a Spitfire. When it closed the Warwick commitment was transferred to No 6 (C) OTU.
Clerks Accounting School of Clerks Accounting, Lympne, Cranwell and Penarth (UK) | The National Archives Ross
Filming as Ross says here. RAF WW2 Officers Record of Service And possibly Station Samlesbury Samlesbury Aerodrome - Wikipedia
Many thanks both. That's got the mother sorted, queries on the chap (RAF) she married come later. My thanks again - all clear. Max
