Post by Dave Homewood on Oct 13, 2017 15:48:15 GMT 12
A snippet from the Waikato Times, dated 11th of October 1918:
"According to the latest British Army Council Instruction, Cadets are to be allowed to join the Royal Air Force on attaining the age of 17 years and 10 months. O.C. Cadet Units will be guided by the following considerations before recommending the lad:- The candidate must be 17 years 10 months of age at the time cf volunteering. He must be, as far as the Cadet C.O. can judge, approximately of Grade I. in Medical Category, but an anatomical defect such as slight lameness need not debar a candidate from his C.O.'s recommendation. He must be known to the C.O. as an intelligent, well conducted lad, sufficiently well educated to ensure the successful reception of technical instruction. He must be fully aware that he is volunteering for service in the R.A.F. as pilot or observer or for such duties as the exigencies of the service may demand. When admitted into the R.A.F. he will be earmarked as a commissioned or non-commissioned pilot or observer, according to the attainments and qualifications he proves himself to possess. The written consent of his parents or guardians must be supplied to the Cadet."
Given the short time they spent training pilots back then a cadet could be flying operationally aged 18, I'm guessing.
"According to the latest British Army Council Instruction, Cadets are to be allowed to join the Royal Air Force on attaining the age of 17 years and 10 months. O.C. Cadet Units will be guided by the following considerations before recommending the lad:- The candidate must be 17 years 10 months of age at the time cf volunteering. He must be, as far as the Cadet C.O. can judge, approximately of Grade I. in Medical Category, but an anatomical defect such as slight lameness need not debar a candidate from his C.O.'s recommendation. He must be known to the C.O. as an intelligent, well conducted lad, sufficiently well educated to ensure the successful reception of technical instruction. He must be fully aware that he is volunteering for service in the R.A.F. as pilot or observer or for such duties as the exigencies of the service may demand. When admitted into the R.A.F. he will be earmarked as a commissioned or non-commissioned pilot or observer, according to the attainments and qualifications he proves himself to possess. The written consent of his parents or guardians must be supplied to the Cadet."
Given the short time they spent training pilots back then a cadet could be flying operationally aged 18, I'm guessing.
