Notice to Recruit to Return to Service

[PeteT]

Does anyone have a copy of the letter (circa 1943/1944) sent to RAFVR recruits calling them up to commence their training at ACRC after they have been held on reserve following attestation (Form 1376)?

We are trying to get hold of a copy so that we can include in a research project that we are currently undertaking regarding an FE in Bomber Command (KIA 4th February 1945)

Also, we are still trying to establish if recruits were provided with the silver RAFVR lapel badge in 1943/1944 (which was issued at attestation, but had to be returned at ACRC)

Any help would be much appreciated

[K4KittyCrew]

Hi 'Pete T' and thank you for your post. Maybe we need Dennis to pass comment here.
John

[PAFG]

Hi Pete,

I don't think this is necessarily the right one, but it's certainly similar to the one you're describing? Not a great photo I'm afraid, and I can't give you a reference 'cos I can't for the life of me remember whether it's from a trip to TNA or off the net

Cheers,

Richard

[PAFG]

Oh dear - forgot to add the pictures...

Sec State 4 Air letter.jpg (60.03 KiB) Viewed 4762 times

[PAFG]

To make amends - here's 'So You're Going to be a Pilot?', which also applies to those in the pipeline and awaiting call forward for training...

You are going to be a pilot 1.jpg (129.09 KiB) Viewed 4762 times

You are going to be a pilot 2.jpg (117.72 KiB) Viewed 4762 times

Remainder in new post...

Richard

[PAFG]

...and the rest:

You are going to be a pilot 3.jpg (122.8 KiB) Viewed 4762 times

You are going to be a pilot 4.jpg (98.3 KiB) Viewed 4762 times

Richard

[PeteT]

Richard

Thanks for your time and effort in responding to this thread.

I have provided an extract from our research which hopefully puts the letter you have attached into context:

"As instructed, on 9th April 1943, Cecil packed a small suitcase, his civilian respirator and the requisite paperwork and travelled to RAF Cardington in Bedfordshire.

Over the next couple of days he undertook a series of fitness, aptitude, numeracy and literacy tests.

He was also interviewed by an Air Crew Selection Board (ACSB) and at the end of the process, the board recommended him “for training as flight mechanic, potential flight engineer”.

Cecil was sent before the Attestation Officer, where, after formally signing his Notice Paper (Form 2168), he was asked to swear allegiance to his King and Country:

Having completed his assessment, Cecil returned to civil life in Woolwich, London with his wife and two-year old daughter, knowing that he had been accepted into the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.

He may have been given a silver RAFVR lapel badge at the Reception Centre to show that he was “on reserve”, but it is unclear whether this was still common practice in 1943.

The Secretary of State for Air sent him a letter which welcomed him into the RAF and advised him that “he would be called up as soon as he was required”.

He now had to patiently await that call up"

What we are trying to find is a copy of the next letter in the sequence which called him into service.

Regards (and thanks again)

Pete