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Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation
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Initial Training Wings/Recruit Centres etc
This section will give brief histories of those ground training units providing recruit or initial training of airmen/airwomen: -
Airmen Aircrew Initial Training School
This was formed on 30 January 1967 at Topcliffe and disbanded on in February 1970 into No 6 FTS.
No 1 Cadet Wing
This was formed from the Cadet Wing at Denham on 1 July 1917 at 13 Eversfield Place, Hastings, moving to 6 West Ascent, St Leonards on Sea on 22 August and then to East Sandling Camp, Shorncliffe in October 1918, where it disbanded on 1 February 1919.
No 2 Cadet Wing
This was formed on 1 July 1917 at Hursley Park, Winchester, moving to 4 Carlisle Place, Hasting on 22 August and then to St Martin's Plain Camp, Shorncliffe on 29 October 1918, where it and disbanded on 15 May 1919.
No 3 Cadet Wing
This was formed on 1 July 1917 at Aboukir and disbanded in August 1919.
No 5 Cadet Wing
This was formed on 1 August 1917 at Hursley Park, Winchester and disbanded on 10 September 1917.
It reformed from No 7 and 8 Cadet Wings on 18 September 1917 at Halton Park, moving to Hastings on 22 October and then to Dibgate Camp, Shorncliffe by 31 December 1918, where it and disbanded on 24 January 1919.
No 6 Cadet Wing
The nucleus of this unit was formed on 1 August 1917 at Denham, moving to 57 Warrior Square, Hastings on 23 January 1918 and disbanded before August.
It reformed on 8 August 1918 at Shorncliffe and disbanded in August 1919.
No 7 Cadet Wing
This was formed on 10 September 1917 at South Farnborough and amalgated with No 8 Cadet Wing to form No 5 Cadet Wing on 18 September 1917.
It reformed on in July 1918 at Hastings, moving to Reading on 8 August and disbanded on in August 1919.
No 8 Cadet Wing
This was formed on 10 September 1917 at South Farnborough and amalgamated with No 7 Cadet Wing to form No 5 Cadet Wing on 18 September 1917.
It reformed on in July 1918 at West Sandling Camp, Shorncliffe and disbanded on 15 May 1919.
RAF Czechoslovak Depot
This was formed on 18 August 1940 at Cosford, moving to Wilmslow on 19 December 1940 in No 20 Group and then to St Athan in No 24 Group on 14 February 1942, where it disbanded in May 1944.
No 1 Initial Training School
This was formed as No 1 ITS on 7 September 1939 at Cambridge with a capacity of 250 pupils and was redesignated No 1 ITW on 15 September 1939.
It reformed as the ITS from No 50 ITS on 21 May 1946 at Bridgnorth, moving to North Coates on 2 January 1947 and disbanded on 15 October 1947.
It reformed again as the ITS on 20 February 1948 at Wittering, being split into two wings on 16 November 1949, No 1 remaining at Wittering, whilst No 2 moved to Digby. On 17 April 1950 both wings moved to Jurby, where it was transferred to No 54 Group on 1 May 1951, ceasing to known as No 1 ITS on 24 July 1953 and officially disbanded on 10 September 1953.
It reformed as No 1 ITS from No 2 ITS on 1 October 1953 at Kirton-in-Lindsey in No 21 Group. It was transferred to No 54 Group on 24 June 1953 and absorbed the Air Crew Transit Unit on 23 October. On 1 January 1955 it was transferred to No 23 Group and then to No 25 Group on 1 January 1957, moving to South Cerney on 22 July 1957, where it was redesignated the Aircrew Officer Training School on 1 January 1967.
Officers Commanding: -
xx xxx 1951 Gp Capt F R Worthington (KIFA 6 Sep 1953)
No 2 Initial Training School
This was formed from on 1 October 1950 at Digby in No 23 Group, to train National Service aircrew. Transferred to No 54 Group on 1 May 1951, it moved to Kirton-in-Lindsey on 15 August, absorbing No 4 ITS at the same time. On 15 January 1952 No 3 (Digby) Wing was formed from No 2 Aircrew Grading School and No 3 (Digby) Wing was transferred to No 3 ITS on 22 July 1952. Control was transferred to No 21 Group on 24 June 1952 and it was redesignated No 1 ITS on 1 October 1953.
No 3 Initial Training School
Formed on 1 December 1950 at Cranwell to train regular aircrew. Initially in No 21 Group, it transferred to No 54 Group on 1 May 1951 and in October No 4 Wing moved to Cosford to form No 5 ITS. This unit operated Chipmunks and gave ab initio training to prospective aircrew in order to determine which were suitable for pilot and navigator training. On 23 January 1952, No 3 (Digby) Wing formed when No 2 Aircrew Grading School was disbanded but disbanded on 19 March 1952. No 3 (Digby) Wing was reformed on 22 July 1952 from No 2 (Digby) Wing, No 2 ITS and the school disbanded on 24 March 1953.
No 4 Initial Training School
This was formed from Nos 1 and 2 Squadrons, No 2 ITS on 3 May 1951 at Kirton-in-Lindsey in No 54 Group, to train National Service pilots and navigators was absorbed into No 2 ITS on 15 August 1951.
No 5 Initial Training School
This was formed from No 4 Wing, No 3 ITS on 6 October 1951 at Cosford in No 54 Group and disbanded on 5 July 1952.
No 51 (Air Gunners) Initial Training School
This was formed on 1 September 1943 at Ballah, the elementary element closing on 15 October 1944 disbanded on 30 April 1945.
Initial Training School (Officers)
This had been formed by February 1940 at Risalpur but its fate is unknown.
No 1 Initial Training Wing
This was formed at Jesus College Cambridge on 15 September 1939 by redesignating No 1 Initial Training School, its capacity being raised to 500 on 18 September. On 1 July 1940 it was redesignated No 2 ITW to prevent confusion with No 1 Receiving Wing. No 1 ITW was reformed on 14 Jun 1941 by redesignating No 1 RW at Norcliffe Hotel, Babbacombe, eventually disbanding on 1 March 1944.
No 1 Initial Training Wing (Southern Rhodesia)
Although no formation date has been found for this unit it is assumed that it occurred prior to April 1940 when the first Elementary Flying Training School opened in Southern Rhodesia. It was located in an old Army camp at Hillside near Bulawayo and like its counterparts in the UK would have been where newly arrived trainee pilots and observers, would have undergone their initial ground schooling in Principles of Flight, navigation, Airframes, Engines, etc as well as ‘square bashing’, learning about Air Force Law and the myriad of other details needed for air force life.
No 2 Initial Training Wing
Formed in 1940 at Paignton, Devon, it was redesignated No 4 ITW, with No 1 ITW in Cambridge being redesignated No 2 ITW sometime in late 1940 or early 1941.
No 3 Initial Training Wing
This unit formed in Hastings and St Leonards on Sea on 18 September 1939 with a capacity of 250 pupil VR pilots and direct entrant Air Observers, with its HQ at Marine Court, St Leonards on Sea. It moved to St James' Hotel, Victoria Parade in Torquay on 24 June 1940. It became an ITW for PNB candidates in 1942 (Pilot/Navigator/Bomb Aimer) and later also undertook the initial training of Flight Engineers. It disbanded by being redesignated No 21 ITW on 29 May 1943. It briefly reformed in Torquay on 15 September 1943 to train PNB candidates but disbanded on 1 March 1944.
No 4 Initial Training Wing
This was formed on 27 September 1939 at the Sackville Hotel, Bexhill in No 54 Group but moved to the Esplanade Hotel, Paignton in Devon on 1 July 1940. It later became an ITW specialising in training Air Gunners but then reverted to the training of Pilots/Navigators and Air Bombers. It disbanded on 1 March 1944.
No 5 Initial Training Wing
This formed at the Eversfield Hotel, Hastings on 13 November 1939 in No 54 Group, The first intake of 250 trainees arrived on 22 November with another 250 arriving a week later and a further 500 week commencing 9 December 1939. It moved to Torquay, with its HQ at Castle Chambers, Higher Union Street, on 24 June 1940, finally disbanding on 1 March 1944.
No 6 Initial Training Wing
This was formed on 1 August 1940 at the Queen's Hotel, Aberystwyth in No 54 Group and disbanded on 10 May 1944.
No 7 Initial Training Wing
This was formed on 1 October 1940 at the Ballevista Hotel, Newquay in No 54 Group and disbanded on 10 May 1944 into No 40 ITW.
No 8 Initial Training Wing
This was formed on 4 November 1940 at the Trebarwith Hotel, Newquay in No 54 Group and disbanded on 25 May 1944.
No 9 Initial Training Wing
This was formed on 14 June 1941 at the Arden Hotel, Stratford-on-Avon and disbanded on 25 May 1944.
No 10 Initial Training Wing
This was formed on 13 December 1940 at the Grand Hotel, Scarborough in No 54 Group and disbanded on 18 June 1945.
No 11 Initial Training Wing
This was formed on 15 March 1941 at the Prince of Wales Hotel, Scarborough in No 54 Group and disbanded on 10 October 1944.
No 12 Initial Training Wing
This was formed on 12 May 1941 at the Marine Hotel, St Andrews in No 54 Group and disbanded on 21 May 1944.
No 13 Initial Training Wing
This was formed on 1 June 1941 at the Grand Hotel, Torquay and disbanded on 1 March 1944.
No 14 Initial Training Wing
This was formed at Marine Court in Hastings on 23 September 1941 but moved to Bridlington in East Yorkshire on 16 January 1942, where it was redesignated No 18 ITW on 25 March 1944.
It reformed at Bridgnorth in Shropshire on 25 March 1944 when No 18 ITW was redesignated. It assumed responsibility for the initial service training of air gunners until it was disbanded there on 21 April 1944 with its tasking being reallocated to Nos 80, 81 and 82 ITWs.
No 15 Initial Training Wing
This was formed on 23 September 1943 at Bridlington and disbanded on 26 February 1944.
It reformed from No 19 ITW on 26 February 1944 at the Bridgnorth and disbanded on 21 April 1944 into Nos 80, 81 and 82 ITWs.
No 16 Initial Training Wing
This was formed on 1 October 1943 at Whitley Bay and disbanded on 1 February 1944.
No 17 Initial Training Wing
This was formed on 13 October 1941 at Belvedere House, Esplanade, Scarborough and disbanded on 4 October 1944.
No 18 Initial Training Wing
This was formed on 4 January 1943 at Bridgnorth and was redesignated No 14 ITW on 25 March 1944.
It reformed from No 14 ITW on 25 March 1944 at the Bridlington and disbanded on 21 April 1944 into No 70 ITW.
No 19 Initial Training Wing
This was formed on 20 March 1943 at Bridgnorth and was redesignated No 15 ITW on 26 February 1944.
It reformed from No 15 ITW on 26 February 1944 at the Bridlington and disbanded on 21 April 1944 into No 70 ITW.
No 20 Initial Training Wing
This was formed on 29 May 1943 at Bridlington, moving to Usworth on 6 November 1943 and disbanded on 21 April 1944.
No 21 Initial Training Wing
This was formed from No 3 ITW on 29 May 1943 at the Torquay, moving to Usworth on 15 September 1943 and then to Bridlington on 6 November, where it disbanded on 21 April 1944 into No 70 ITW.
No 22 Initial Training Wing
This was planned to form at Scarborough but this was cancelled
No 23 (French) Initial Training Wing
This was formed on 1 October 1943 at Filey Bay, moving to Stormy Down on 27 November 1944 and then to Bridgnorth on 6 April 1946, where it disbanded on 1 August 1946.
No 40 Initial Training Wing (Pilot)
This was formed from Nos 7 and 8 ITWs on 10 May 1944 at the Newquay, moving to Stormy Down on 21 August 1944, where it disbanded on 27 November 1944.
No 41 Initial Training Wing (Pilot)
This was planned to form at Scarborough but this was cancelled
No 42 Initial Training Wing (Pilot)
This was formed from No 2 ITW on 26 February 1944 at Cambridge and disbanded on 17 May 1944.
No 43 Initial Training Wing (Pilot)
This was planned to form at Cambridge but this was cancelled
No 50 Initial Training Wing (Nav/AB)
This was formed on 1 June 1944 at Bridgnorth and was redesignated No 1 ITS on 21 May 1946.
No 51 Initial Training Wing (Nav/AB)
This was planned to be formed on 26 February 1944 at Bridgnorth but this was cancelled
No 60 Initial Training Wing (?)
This was formed on 26 February 1944 at Usworth, moving to Bridgnorth on 31 March 1945 disbanded on 6 May 1945 into No 50 ITW.
No 70 Initial Training Wing (W/Op)
This was formed from Nos 18, 19 and 21 ITWs on 21 April 1944 at Bridlington and disbanded on 21 October 1944.
No 71 Initial Training Wing (W/Op)
This was planned to be formed on 26 February 1944 at Bridlington but this was cancelled
No 80 Initial Training Wing (AG)
This was formed from Nos 14 and 15 ITWs and the EAGS on 21 April 1944 at Bridgnorth and disbanded on 27 November 1944.
No 81 Initial Training Wing (AG)
This was formed from Nos 14 and 15 ITWs and the EAGS on 21 April 1944 at Bridgnorth and disbanded on 6 October 1944.
No 82 Initial Training Wing (AG)
This was formed from Nos 14 and 15 ITWs and the EAGS on 21 April 1944 at Bridgnorth and disbanded on 31 May 1944.
No 90 Initial Training Wing (FE)
This was formed on 10 May 1944 at Cranage and disbanded on 28 October 1944.
No 91 Initial Training Wing (FE)
This was planned to be formed on 26 February 1944 at Newquay but this was cancelled
Polish Initial Training Wing
This was formed from No 12 ITW on 25 July 1942 at Brighton, moving to Croughton on 21 May 1944 disbanded on 1 November 1945.
Preliminary Air Crew Training Wing
This was formed on 1 April 1943 at Abbey Lodge, Regents Park, London, controlling a number of centres around the country and disbanded on 2 March 1945.
No 1 Centre, Preliminary Air Crew Training Wing
This was formed on 8 March 1943 at Edinburgh and presumably disbanded on 2 March 1945.
No 2 Centre, Preliminary Air Crew Training Wing
This was formed on 15 March 1943 at Wandsworth and Battersea and presumably disbanded on 2 March 1945.
No 3 Centre, Preliminary Air Crew Training Wing
This was formed on 20 April 1943 at Tooting and presumably disbanded on 2 March 1945.
No 4 Centre, Preliminary Air Crew Training Wing
This was formed on 27 March 1943 at Brough and Westminster and presumably disbanded on 2 March 1945.
No 5 Centre, Preliminary Air Crew Training Wing
his was formed on 3 April 1943 at West Norwood and Hammersmith and presumably disbanded on 2 March 1945.
No 6 Centre, Preliminary Air Crew Training Wing
This was formed on 10 April 1943 at Cardiff and presumably disbanded on 2 March 1945.
No 7 Centre, Preliminary Air Crew Training Wing
This was formed on 17 April 1943 at Aberdeen and presumably disbanded on 2 March 1945.
No 8 Centre, Preliminary Air Crew Training Wing
This was formed on 10 May 1943 at Wolverhampton and presumably disbanded on 2 March 1945.
No 9 Centre, Preliminary Air Crew Training Wing
This was formed on 17 May 1943 at Bradford and presumably disbanded on 2 March 1945.
No 10 Centre, Preliminary Air Crew Training Wing
This was formed on 24 May 1943 at Manchester and presumably disbanded on 2 March 1945.
No 11 Centre, Preliminary Air Crew Training Wing
This was formed on 31 May 1943 at Walthamstow and presumably disbanded on 2 March 1945.
No 12 Centre, Preliminary Air Crew Training Wing
This was formed on 7 June 1943 at Edinburgh and presumably disbanded on 2 March 1945.
No 13 Centre, Preliminary Air Crew Training Wing
This was formed on 28 June 1943 at Ealing and presumably disbanded on 2 March 1945.
No 14 Centre, Preliminary Air Crew Training Wing
This was formed on 20 June 1943 at Cheltenham and presumably disbanded on 2 March 1945.
No 15 Centre, Preliminary Air Crew Training Wing
This was formed on 5 July 1943 at Hull and presumably disbanded on 2 March 1945.
No 16 Centre, Preliminary Air Crew Training Wing
This was formed on 5 July 1943 at Rotherham and presumably disbanded on 2 March 1945.
No 17 Centre, Preliminary Air Crew Training Wing
This was formed on 26 July 1943 at Dudley and presumably disbanded on 2 March 1945.
No 18 Centre, Preliminary Air Crew Training Wing
This was formed on 2 August 1943 at Cannock and presumably disbanded on 2 March 1945.
No 19 Centre, Preliminary Air Crew Training Wing
This was formed on 9 August 1943 at Liverpool and presumably disbanded on 2 March 1945.
No 1 Receiving Wing
This was formed on 20 November 1940 at Norcliffe Hotel, Babbacombe and was redesignated No 1 Initial Training Wing on 14 June 1941
No 9 Receiving Wing
This was formed on 20 November 1940 at Stratford-upon-Avon in No 54 Group to initially have a pupil population of 600. It was redesignated No 9 Initial Training Wing on 14 July 1941.
No 1 Recruit Receiving Centre
This was formed from No 1 RAF Depot on 7 September 1939 at Uxbridge and was redesignated No 1 Recruits Centre on 4 January 1940.
No 2 Recruit Receiving Centre
This was formed from No 2 RAF Depot on 7 September 1939 at Cardington and was redesignated No 2 Recruits Centre on 4 January 1940.
No 3 Recruit Receiving Centre
This was formed from No 3 RAF Depot on 7 September 1939 at Padgate and was redesignated No 3 Recruits Centre on 4 January 1940
No 4 Recruit Receiving Centre
This was formed on 12 October 1939 at Bridgnorth with a single Wing to train 2.000 recruits. A second Wing was added in November and was it redesignated No 4 Recruits Centre on 4 January 1940
No 7 Recruit Receiving Centre
This was formed on 2 December 1939 at Morecombe and was redesignated No 7 Recruits Centre on 4 January 1940
No 9 Recruit Receiving Centre
This was formed on 17 June 1939 at Brittaniic Court Flats, Shore Road, South Shore, Blackpool and was attached to No 3 SoTT for all accounting purposes.
Recruit Sub-Depot, Linton-on-Ouse
A formation date has not yet been found but it closed on 10 September 1939.
Recruit Sub-Depot, Brize Norton
A formation date has not yet been found but it closed on 10 September 1939.
Recruit Sub-Depot, Debden
This was formed on 5 September 1938 at Debden but closed on 8 February 1939.
Officer Commanding: -
5 Sep 1938 Sqn Ldr B M Cary
Recruit Sub-Depot, Finningley
This was formed in September 1938 at Finningley and was redesignated a Recruit Sub-Receiving Centre on 14 September 1939
Officer Commanding: -
xx Sep 1938 Sqn Ldr C Boumphrey
Recruit Sub-Depot, Grantham
This was formed on 1 June 1938 at Grantham but moved to RAF Usworth on 28 September.
Officer Commanding: -
1 Jun 1939 Flt Lt C F Pearce
11 Jul 1938 Flt Lt/Sqn Ldr G F Whistondale
Recruit Sub-Depot, Upwood
This was formed on 22 August 1938 at Upwood and was redesignated a Recruit Sub-Receiving Centre on 14 September 1939
Officer Commanding: -
22 Aug 1938 Sqn Ldr W J Millen
xx xxx xxxx Sqn Ldr J F Stephens
5 Jun 1939 ?
Recruit Sub-Depot, Dishforth
This was formed on 29 August 1938 at Dishforth and was redesignated a Recruit Sub-Receiving Centre on 14 September 1939
Officer Commanding: -
xx Feb 1939 Sqn Ldr G F Whistondale
Recruit Sub-Depot, Driffield
This was formed on 10 August 1938 at Driffield and was closed down on 5 May 1939, but re-opened on 2 June 1939, closing again on 1 September.
Officer Commanding: -
10 Aug 1938 Sqn Ldr D J Alvey
5 May 1939 Closed
2 Jun 1939 Sqn Ldr E M T Howell
1 Sep 1939 Closed
Recruit Sub-Depot, Scampton
This was formed on 8 October 1938 at Scampton and closed on 12 September 1939.
Officer Commanding: -
8 Oct 1938 Sqn Ldr W P J Thomson
Recruit Sub-Depot, South Cerney
This was formed on 19 October 1938 at South Cerney and was redesignated a Recruit Sub-Receiving Centre on 14 September 1939
Recruit Sub-Depot, Sealand
This was formed in June 1939 at Sealand to take an intake of 600 personnel to be housed in accommodation planned for the use of personnel of a planned Repair Depot.
Recruit Sub-Depot, North Coates
This was formed on 11 September 1939 at North Coates and was redesignated a Recruit Sub-Receiving Centre on 14 September 1939
Recruit Sub-Depot, Sutton Bridge
This was formed on 11 September 1939 at Sutton Bridge and was redesignated a Recruit Sub-Receiving Centre on 14 September 1939.
Recruit Sub-Depot, Catfoss
This was formed on 16 September 1939 at Catfoss and was redesignated No 1 Recruit Training Pool on 18 September 1939
Officer Commanding: -
16 Sep 1938 Sqn Ldr T W S Brown
Recruit Sub-Depot, Usworth
This was formed on 11 July 1938 at Grantham moving to RAF Usworth on 28 September, but on 5 May 1939 it moved to Padgate and was absorbed into No 3 RAF Depot. It re-opened in June 1939.
Officer Commanding: -
28 Sep 1938 Sqn Ldr G F Whistondale
16 Oct 1938 ?
Recruit Sub-Receiving Centre, Dishforth
This was formed from Recruit Sub-Depot on 14 September 1939 at Dishforth and was redesignated No 7 Recruit Training Pool on 22 September 1939
Recruit Sub-Receiving Centre, Finningley
This was formed from Recruit Sub-Depot on 14 September 1939 at Finningley and was redesignated No 5 Recruit Training Pool on 28 September 1939
Officer Commanding: -
14 Sep 1939 Sqn Ldr C Boumphrey
Recruit Sub-Receiving Centre, North Coates
This was formed from Recruit Sub-Depot on 14 September 1939 at North Coates and was redesignated No 2 Recruit Training Pool on 22 September 1939
Recruit Sub-Receiving Centre, South Cerney
This was formed from Recruit Sub-Depot on 14 September 1939 at South Cerney and was redesignated No 8 Recruit Training Pool on 22 September 1939
Recruit Sub-Receiving Centre, Sutton Bridge
This was formed from Recruit Sub-Depot on 14 September 1939 at Sutton Bridge and was redesignated No 3 Recruit Training Pool on 22 September 1939
Recruit Sub-Receiving Centre, Upwood
This was formed from Recruit Sub-Depot on 14 September 1939 at Upwood and was redesignated No 6 Recruit Training Pool on 23 September 1939
No 1 Recruit Training Pool
This was formed on 18 September 1939 at Catfoss to accommodate up to 360 recruits, and disbanded on 8 June 1940
No 2 Recruit Training Pool
This was formed from Recruit Sub-Receiving Depot on 30 September 1939 at North Coates to accommodate up to 700 recruits, and was redesignated No 9 Recruits Centre on 8 January 1940
Officers Commanding: -
30 Sep 1939 Sqn Ldr S T Misselbrook
No 3 Recruit Training Pool
This was formed from Recruit Sub-Receiving Depot on 23 September 1939 at Sutton Bridge, to accommodate up to 360 recruits, and disbanded on 29 October 1939.
It reformed on 29 October 1939 at Hawkinge to accommodate 600 trainees and disbanded on 15 February 1940
Officer Commanding: -
29 Oct 1939 Plt Off S R Durden
No 4 Recruit Training Pool
This was formed on 14 September 1939 at Martlesham Heath, to accommodate up to 670 recruits, and disbanded on 4 December 1939 with its staff and remaining recruits being transferred to No 8 RTP at RAF Manston.
Officer Commanding: -
14 Sep 1939 Sqn Ldr A N Luxmoore
22 Oct 1939 Sqn Ldr B S Brice
No 5 Recruit Training Pool
This was formed from Recruit Sub-Receiving Depot on 26 September 1939 at Finningley, to accommodate up to 264 recruits, under the control of No 24 Group and disbanded on 7 March 1940
Officer Commanding: -
26 Sep 1939 Sqn Ldr C Boumphrey
No 6 Recruit Training Pool
This was formed from Recruit Sub-Receiving Depot on 27 September 1939 at Upwood, to accommodate up to 408 recruits, under the control of No 24 Group and disbanded on 15 May 1940
No 7 Recruit Training Pool
This was formed from Recruit Sub-Receiving Depot on 28 September 1939 at Dishforth and disbanded on 17 October 1939
It reformed on 13 November 1939 at Felixstowe to accommodate 600 trainees and disbanded on 17 May 1940
No 8 Recruit Training Pool
This was formed from Recruit Sub-Receiving Depot on 22 September 1939 at South Cerney and disbanded on 31 October 1939
It reformed on 13 November 1939 at Manston, to accommodate up to 500 recruits, this being increased to 1,200 on 4 December to compensate for the closure of No 4 RTP at Martlesham Heath. It was redesignated No 8 Recruits Centre on 9 January 1940.
Recruiting Centre
This was formed on 7 August 1919 at Henlow and disbanded on 30 October 1919
No 1 Recruit Centre
This was formed on 4 January 1940 at Uxbridge as part of the reformed No 1 RAF Depot, moving to the Wessex Hotel in Gloucester on 3 December 1940 and then to 31 Victoria Road, Penarth in No 24 Group on 20 January 1941. On 13 November 1942 it was transferred to No 20 Group, moving to Melksham on 8 March 1945 and to Yatesbury on 1 December, where it disbanded on 31 August 1947.
No 2 Recruit Centre
This was formed from No 2 Recruit Receiving Centre on 4 January 1940 at Cardington under the control of No 27 Group. It was transferred to No 20 Group on 11 November 1942 and disbanded on 1 November 1948
No 3 Recruit Centre
This was formed from No 3 Recruit Receiving Centre on 4 January 1940 at Padgate under the control of No 24 Group and was absorbed into No 15 RC on 9 September 1941
It reformed on 25 June 1945 at Padgate and was redesignated No 3 School of Recruit Training on 1 November 1948.
No 4 Recruit Centre
This was formed from No 4 Recruit Receiving Centre on 4 January 1940 at Bridgnorth under the control of No 20 Group. It was transferred to No 24 Group on 13 May 1941 and disbanded on before March 1942
It reformed on 25 June 1945 at Wilmslow and was redesignated No 4 School of Recruit Training on 1 November 1948
No 5 Recruit Centre
This was formed on 25 April 1940 at Saughall Massie (later renamed West Kirby) with staff from No 1 Personnel Despatch Centre and operated in this role under the control of No 20 Group. It ceased to function as a Recruit Centre on 20 February 1941 and assumed the functions of a Personnel Despatch Centre, taking over the role of No 1 PDC. At the same date one Wing (1,000 personnel) was transferred to Weston-super-Mare to form a fourth Wing at No 5 SoTT, Locking. It was later transferred to No 24 Group and on 3 March No 1 Wing moved to Skegness.
It was redesignated No 1 Personnel Despatch Centre on 19 September 1941
It reformed on 1 September 1946 at West Kirby and was redesignated No 5 School of Recruit Training on 1 November 1948
No 6 Recruit Centre
This was formed on 11 April 1940 at Wilmslow (originally known as Stockport). It ceased to function as a Recruit Centre on 20 February 1941 and assumed the functions of a Personnel Despatch Centre, to increase the capacity at No 2 PDC, Wilmslow to 4,000.
It was redesignated No 2 Personnel Despatch Centre on 17 September 1941 but is also supposed to have merged with No 15 Recruits Centre at Blackpool on 1 September 1941
It reformed on 19 September 1946 by redesignating No 14 Recruits Centre at Innsworth and disbanded on 15 December 1947
No 7 Recruit Centre
This was formed from No 7 Recruit Receiving Centre on 2 December 1939 at Morecombe and closed on 24 October 1941
It reformed on 1 October 1946 at Bridgnorth and was redesignated No 7 School of Recruit Training on 1 November 1948
No 8 Recruit Centre
This was formed from No 8 Recruit Training Pool on 9 January 1940 at Manston and disbanded on 8 June 1940
It reformed on 18 January 1941 at 36 Guthrie Point, Arbroath in No 20 Group, comprising a Receiving Wing for 400 and two Training Wings of 1,000 each. It disbanded on 23 April 1945
No 9 Recruit Centre
This was formed from No 2 Recruit Training Pool on 8 January 1940 at North Coates and disbanded on 30 April 1940
It was reformed as a Recruit Training Centre at Blackpool on 17 June 1940 but was redesignated No 9 Recruits Centre on 27 June 1940 and disbanded on 15 January 1943.
Officers Commanding: -
8 Jan 1940 Sqn Ldr S T Misselbrook
xx xxx 1940 Gp Capt Thompson
No 10 (Signals) Recruit Centre
This was formed from on 11 July 1940 at Blackpool under the control of No 20 Group. Its task was to provide Morse training and Buzzer Instruction as well as General Service Training to recruits prior to being posted to Wireless Schools for training as Wireless Operators, each of its five Wings being planned to handle 2,000 recruits at a time. The first intake of 1,000 arrived on 12 July with a further 1,000 arriving the following week, followed by further weekly intakes of 1,000 until the planned five Wings were complete. It was transferred to No 27 Group by April 1941 and was redesignated No 13 Radio School on 16 August 1943
No 11 Recruit Centre
This was formed from on 10 February 1941 at the Seacroft Hotel, Skegness under the control of No 24 Group with a capacity of 2,000 (2 Wings) to replace No 6 RC, which ceased to function as a recruit centre on 20 February. About a month later it was expanded by the addition of another Wing, raising its capacity to 3,000. It was transferred to No 20 Group at some point and then to No 27 Group on 11 November 1942 and disbanded on 26 October 1944
It reformed on 23 July 1945 at Deenethorpe and disbanded on 24 May 1946.
No 12 Recruit Centre
This was formed from on 10 March 1941 at Somerset House, Bath Road, Bournemouth under the control of No 24 Group, comprising 3 Wings to take 1,000 recruits each, but this was almost immediately increased to 4 Wings raising its capacity to 4,000. It was absorbed into No 3 Personnel Reception Centre on 16 February 1942
It reformed on 23 July 1945 at Kimbolton and disbanded on 10 May 1946.
No 13 Recruit Centre
This was formed on 29 August 1945 at Greenham Common and disbanded on 20 April 1946
No 14 Recruit Centre
This was formed from on 29 April 1941 at Weston-super-Mare under the control of No 24 Group and disbanded on 8 April 1943
It reformed on 27 August 1945 at Hereford and was redesignated No 6 Recruits Centre on 17 September 1946
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Graduation Photo courtesy of Andrew Cummings (Max Martin's (5th from right, back row) grandfather) |
No 15 Recruits Centre
This was formed on 7 July 1941 at Blackpool and disbanded on 29 March 1943
It reformed from No 4 (Recruit) Wing, No 5 School of Technical Training, West Kirby on 15 October 1945 at Compton Bassett and disbanded on 26 June 1946
No 16 Recruits Centre
This was formed from on 28 April 1941 at Royal Hotel, Great Yarmouth under the control of No 24 Group. It was transferred to No 27 Group on 26 May 1941 and then to No 20 Group on 11 November 1942, disbanding on 15 March 1943
It reformed on 11 October 1945 at Sudbury and disbanded on 24 May 1946
No 17 Recruits Centre
This was formed from on 7 April 1941 at Bridlington under the control of No 20 Group and disbanded on ?
It reformed on 11 October 1945 at Rattlesden and disbanded on 20 April 1946
No 18 Recruits Centre
This was formed on 26 May 1941 at Coatham Hotel, Redcar, also operating in Saltburn, under the control of No 20 Group and disbanded on 15 March 1945
It reformed on 10 October 1945 at Debach. It moved to Leiston on 30 October and disbanded on 30 May 1946
No 19 Recruits Centre
This was formed on 12 October 1945 at Metfield under the control of No 24 Group and disbanded on 20 April 1946
No 20 Recruits Centre
This was formed on 2 June 1941 at The Crescent Hotel, Filey under the control of No 20 Group and absorbed into No 1 RAF Regiment School, Filey on 14 November 1942.
No 21 Recruits Centre
This was formed on 25 May 1942 at Blackpool under the control of No 20 Group and disbanded on 31 October 1942
No 22 Recruits Centre
This was formed on 7 July 1941 at Whitley Bay under the control of No 20 Group and was redesignated No 2 RAF Regiment School on 1 February 1942
Officers Commanding: -
xx Sep 1941 Gp Capt F H Laurence
It reformed from on 22 February 1943 at Newtownards under the control of No 20 Group. It moved to Long Kesh on 23 March 1944 then to Aldergrove on 23 June 1947, where it and was redesignated No 4 Reception Unit on 18 August 1947
No 30 (WAAF) Recruits Centre
This was formed from No 2 (WAAF) Depot on 30 November 1942 at Innsworth under the control of No 20 Group. It was transferred to No 28 Group on 1 August 1943 and disbanded on 10 September 1943
No 31 (WAAF) Recruits Centre
This was formed from No 3 (WAAF) Depot on 30 November 1942 at Morecombe. It moved to Wilmslow on 24 February 1943, where it and was redesignated No 31 School of WAAF Recruit Training on 1 November 1948
Recruits Training Depot
This was formed on 14 August 1919 at Uxbridge and was redesignated RAF Depot on 23 December 1919
No 1 School of Recruit Training
This was formed on 10 December 1948 at Melksham. It moved to Henlow 1 July 1949 and then to Cardington on 1 September 1951, where it disbanded on 5 June 1953.
No 2 School of Recruit Training
This was formed from No 2 Recruits Centre on 1 November 1948 at Cardington and disbanded on 4 October 1950.
No 3 School of Recruit Training
This was formed from No 3 Recruits Centre on 1 November 1948 at Padgate and disbanded on 31 March 1957.
No 4 School of Recruit Training
This was formed from No 4 Recruits Centre on 1 November 1948 at Wilmslow and disbanded on 31 March 1957.
No 5 School of Recruit Training
This was formed from No 5 Recruits Centre on 1 November 1948 at West Kirby and disbanded on 1 November 1958.
No 6 School of Recruit Training
This was formed on 23 March 1950 at Hereford and disbanded on 1 April 1952.
No 7 School of Recruit Training
This was formed from No 7 Recruits Centre on 1 November 1948 at Bridgnorth. It moved to Innsworth on 28 February 1963 and then to Swinderby on 20 March 1964. No 2 Wing was formed at Hemswell on 1 April 1965, closing on 17 June 1967 and it was redesignated the School of RAF Recruit Training on 5 October 1970.
No 8 School of Recruit Training
This was formed on 12 July 1950 at Kirkham and disbanded on 15 May 1952.
No 9 School of Recruit Training
This was formed on 14 August 1950 at Weeton and disbanded on 7 July 1952.
No 10 School of Recruit Training
This was formed on 16 August 1950 at Melksham and disbanded on 24 August 1953.
No 11 School of Recruit Training
This was formed on 20 September 1950 at Hednesford and disbanded on 3 December 1956.
No 12 School of Recruit Training
This was formed on 20 September 1950 at Cosford and disbanded on 1 October 1951.
No 13 School of Recruit Training
This was formed on 20 September 1950 at Innsworth and disbanded on 24 November 1952.
No 14 School of Recruit Training
This was formed at Henlow, date unknown, and disbanded on 1 June 1952.
RAF School of Recruit Training
This was formed from No 7 School of Recruit Training on 5 October 1970 at Swinderby, moving to Halton in 1993 and remains in existence.
RAF (Belgian) Initial Training School
This was formed on 8 November 1943 at Goring-on-Thames, with the reception and training elements moving to Snitterfield in No 54 Group on 1 January 1944 and disbanded on 13 October 1944 into the RAF (Belgian) Training School.
RAF (Belgian) Training School
This was formed on 13 October 1944 at Snailwell in No 28 Group. The recruit reception element moved to Bottisham on 9 June 1945 and it was transferred to Belgium on 15 March 1946.
RAF Depot
This was formed from the RAF Reserve Depot on 28 November 1918 at Blandford, moving to Halton on 23 March 1919 and was probably redesignated the Recruits Training Depot on an unknown date.
It reformed from the Recruits Training Depot on 12 December 1919 at Halton. moving to Uxbridge on 6 April 1920 and was redesignated No 1 RAF Depot on 1 September 1937.
No 1 RAF Depot
This was formed from the RAF Depot on 1 September 1937 at Uxbridge. and was redesignated No 1 Recruit Receiving Centre on 7 September 1939.
It reformed from the RAF Depot on 4 January 1940 at Uxbridge and was redesignated RAF Station Uxbridge on 25 November 1942.
No 2 RAF Depot
This was formed on 27 May 1937 at Henlow. moving to Cardington on 30 September 1937 and was redesignated No 2 Recruit Receiving Centre on 7 September 1939.
No 3 RAF Depot
This was formed on 3 April 1939 at Padgate, with a third Wing opening in June 1939 and a fourth Wing in August. It was redesignated No 3 Recruit Receiving Centre on 7 September 1939.
RAF Reception Depot
This was formed from the Civilian Intake Section, RAF Depot on 1 September 1924 at West Drayton but its task was transferred to Nos 1 and 2 RRCs on 2 September 1939.
RAF Reserve Depot
This was formed on 1 April 1918 at Blandford and was redesignated the RAF Depot on 28 November 1918.
WAAF Depot
This was formed from No 3 PTC on 30 October 1939 at West Drayton. It moved to the Grand Hotel (HQ), Pannal Ash College and Ashville College in Harrogate on 18 September 1940, the move being completed on 23 September and was redesignated No 1 WAAF Depot on 1 January 1941.
WAAF Depot
This was formed on 5 July 1943 at Lydda, moving to Ramleh by 31 December and disbanded in February 1944.
No 1 WAAF Depot
This was formed from the WAAF Depot on 30 December 1940 at Harrogate in No 20 Group with a weekly intake of 300 recruits. It moved to Bridgnorth on 30 May 1941, in No 24 Group, where it absorbed No 3 WAAF Depot, which was in the process of forming. Its weekly intake was set at 1,150 up to a maximum capacity of 2,800. It disbanded on 30 September 1942.
No 2 WAAF Depot
This was formed on 30 December 1940 at Innsworth in No 24 Group and from 10 February 1941 the weekly intake was increased to 400 recruits and from 15 April 1941 to 750.
It was redesignated No 30 (WAAF) Recruit Centre on 30 November 1942.
No 3 WAAF Depot
Formation commenced at Bridgnorth on 16 May 1941 but on 30 May it was absorbed into No 1 WAAF Depot, which had moved from Harrogate.
It reformed on 1 October 1941 at Morecombe and was redesignated No 31 (WAAF) Recruit Centre on 30 November 1942.
WAAF NCOs' Administrative School
This was formed on 23 October 1942 at Melksham in No 28 Group, moving to Wilmslow on 30 June 1943 and disbanded in December 1945.
WAAF NCOs' School
This was formed on 23 December 1941 at Melksham in No 28 Group, moving to Wilmslow on 30 June 1943 and later to Husbands Bosworth, where it disbanded on 1 August 1945.
No 31 WAAF Training School/School of WAAF Recruiting
This was formed from No 31 (WAAF) Recruit Centre on 1 November 1948 at Wilmslow and was redesignated No 31 WRAF Recruit Training School on 1 February 1949.
No 31 WRAF Recruit Training School
This was formed from No 31 WAAF Training School on 1 February 1949 at Wilmslow and disbanded on 26 July 1960This page was last updated on 26/04/24©
