There's a coincidence.
Just this week was at a christmas party and met a very sprightly 90 year old Jack who in 1943 was part way through a mechanical apprenticeship when he met an old school chum who was flashing the dosh around a bit. Mate got a fiver or something for joining the TA. Jack thought this joining up malarkey sounded pretty good, and because of his apprentice time was selected as Flight Engineer material in the RAF. Had an eyesight issue that precluded pilot so went off to do his FE training.
Way it worked was when you arrived you went alternate week to Bomber Command then Coastal Command then Bomber Command and so on. He was lucky and ended up in CC and spent 1943-45 flying B-24 out of various places doing convoy protection and U-boat hunting. Mainly based in Northern Ireland. Very interesting stories.
Good to meet another one in excellent health and mind. Suggested he have a look at PPRUNE.