Youngest RAF casualty?
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Plenty of lads joined up under age and died on the Western Front. A 'blind eye' was shown by the authorities, probably because your average working class youth of the time was so malnourished that they were unfit for active duty. I believe there was a bit of a scandal about it at the time.
I seem to remember a boy aged 15 who fiddled his age flying as a pilot on ops during WWII.
I seem to remember a boy aged 15 who fiddled his age flying as a pilot on ops during WWII.
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"He was enlisted at Blandford Forum as a labourer on 24.10.11."
I assume that should read 24/10/18???
He died 5/11/18
Twelve days after enlistment.
I assume that should read 24/10/18???
He died 5/11/18
Twelve days after enlistment.
The official service record shows date of death as 31.10.18.
McG.
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Rigga wrote:<<From 1918 (and, from my father's history, well into the late 30's) a great deal of people would join up just for some form of clothing, regular meals and a comfy bed (most nights). Being paid was a real bonus.>>
So true - malnutrition diseases like ricketts ("knobbly knees") were rife amongst white kids in the USA until 1941 when armament industry and service pay filtered into the broader community. Like it or not, it was only the Italians' and Germans' national economies showing the way out that ended the depression - let us hope that we did not loose so many of our young men just to hammer them back into the world economic fold.
So true - malnutrition diseases like ricketts ("knobbly knees") were rife amongst white kids in the USA until 1941 when armament industry and service pay filtered into the broader community. Like it or not, it was only the Italians' and Germans' national economies showing the way out that ended the depression - let us hope that we did not loose so many of our young men just to hammer them back into the world economic fold.
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Walter Ambrose Sterling
Does anyone know anything about Walter Ambrose Sterling? This was my Uncle. I am just back from Ireland and visited his grave,can anyone tell me how I can find records etc. I have searched but can not find anything.
Thanks
Thanks
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Hi Molly, I visited the National Archive and viewed his original service record. Sadly there was very little on it. I can forward you the images I took if you wish.
McD.
McD.
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Sterling family
Hello Molly7 and everyone, i have a newspaper obit for your Uncle Walter Ambrose younger brother
Sydney Smith Sterling (wee Syd) who died 26th Nov 1918 aged 8yrs and
3 months, also buried in Belfast Shankill Graveyard, must have been a terrible sad time for family.
You can get intouch with me at my website
ourheroesinmemorim @yahoo.com if you need the newspaper obit.
Kind regards Walter
Sydney Smith Sterling (wee Syd) who died 26th Nov 1918 aged 8yrs and
3 months, also buried in Belfast Shankill Graveyard, must have been a terrible sad time for family.
You can get intouch with me at my website
ourheroesinmemorim @yahoo.com if you need the newspaper obit.
Kind regards Walter
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At some times, the minimum age to join as a Boy Entrant was 15 years. At other times it was 15 Years and 6 Months.
In my case I joined at the age of 15 years and 66 days.
This is the grave of a boy who died at RAF Yatesbury, during Boy's service, in the Yatesbury village churchyard.
I don't know any details, but they maybe available on the RAF Boy Entrants website.
In my case I joined at the age of 15 years and 66 days.
This is the grave of a boy who died at RAF Yatesbury, during Boy's service, in the Yatesbury village churchyard.
I don't know any details, but they maybe available on the RAF Boy Entrants website.
Last edited by ian16th; 23rd Jul 2012 at 13:05.
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I joined as a B/E on my 16th birthday, at that time 15years 6mths was the minimum age for joining. I signed for 9 years plus three in the reserve. The 9 years didn't start until my 18th birthday so the RAF got 2 years gratis.
Last edited by Shack37; 23rd Jul 2012 at 15:36.
Thing
I seem to remember a boy aged 15 who fiddled his age flying as a pilot on ops during WWII.
I seem to remember a boy aged 15 who fiddled his age flying as a pilot on ops during WWII.
Joined RAF aged 14yrs 3months
Awarded wings 15yrs 5months
Flew (I believe) 20 ish operations as skipper on AW Whitley bombers before being grounded.
'Shopped' by his Father (separated parents) after being photographed meeting the King...the RAF immediately grounded him but told him he could rejoin when old enough.
He later became a Captain on Kings/Queens flight !
He wrote an autobiography but cannot remember the title
Last edited by longer ron; 23rd Jul 2012 at 15:56.
Just out of interest - this thread discussed some of the oldest and youngest operational aircrew
Oldest bomber command casualty - Key Publishing Ltd Aviation Forums
Oldest bomber command casualty - Key Publishing Ltd Aviation Forums
