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General => Armed Forces => World War Two => Topic started by: Brewins girl on Thursday 06 July 17 19:19 BST (UK)
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Can anyone tell me where this photograph might have been taken? I know that I.T.W. means Initial Training Wing, and I wonder if it might have been in Canada as I understand that many went there to train during the war.
I'd also like to better understand "No 2 squadron", '"B" flight", "6.I.T.W"
I wonder if anyone else who subscribes to RootsChat has the same photograph?
My father was F. B. Robinson (Brewin) who is seated cross legged on the far left of the photo. He served in 206 Squadron Coastal Command then Transport Command
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6 Initial Training Wing, Aberystwyth, Jul 1940 – May 1944
http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C7160995
If you search for 6 ITW there are other references that could be of interest to you.
JJ
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Thanks JJen. Looks like a trip to Kew!
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The RAF hierarchy would be:
Wing - in this case 6 I. T. W.
underneath
Squadron - in this case at least two Squadrons (No.1 & No. 2 Squadrons)
and then
Flight - in this case at least two Flights per Squadron ( "A" & "B" Flight per Squadron)
Above the Wing would be a Command, possibly Flying Training Command at this time.
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Thank you tonepad
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I've been able to locate the building - it was the Aberystwyth Town Hall, which is still in existence but with a different facade after a fire. Another part of the jigsaw completed!
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Brewins Girl,
I've just seen your post. Did you find anything else out about RAF No 2 squadron "B" flight, 6.I.T.W.?
My father was in the same 'wing' but it 1943 - far left, 2nd row. I also have a photo from 1942 but my dad's not in it (not sure from where I got the photo!).
Also, are you sure the photos are taken at the Town Hall? I'm sure my dad said it was the college.
Regards,
Dave
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Here's a photo of the Aberystwyth Old Town Hall (now the town's library) pre refurb. Guess the orb shaped light covers were removed for safe keeping during the War.
The scale of the steps and the fluting on the columns seem to match, but you would not recognise it today.
Here's a link if you prefer https://historypoints.org/index.php?page=old-town-hall-aberystwyth (https://historypoints.org/index.php?page=old-town-hall-aberystwyth) should the image upload fail.
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Cowleasow - I guess that the ‘town hall’ and the ‘college’ are one and the same building, but maybe your dad called it a ‘college’ because of its function back then, or maybe it later became a college. What command/squadron did your Dad go on to fly in? My Dad went into Coastal Command (then Transport Command at the end of the war)
Thanks for the historypoints.org link SMJ
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Brewins Girl,
Thank you for the information.
Yes, the background of the photo with my father does match the Old Town Hall. However, there is a (rather famous) college in Aberystwyth which features in this photo from 1942 (as I said, not sure the connection, I can't see my father in it).
My father enlisted in the RAF Volunteer Reserve in 1942 and was discharged ("Service no longer required") in August 1943. He joined the Royal Navy the next month.
Regards,
Dave
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"Services No Longer Required" (SNLR).
See here:
https://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=295292.0
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That surprises me that your dad was discharged especially ally after the training Dave - my dad was in a reserved occupation (pharmacist) but after the Battle of Britain there was a need for more aircraft (to replace those that were shot down) and crew so he volunteered. I hope the Navy proved to be a positive experience for your dad despite the risks and harsh conditions
Ann
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It looks like some of the photos for 6 ITW were taken in front of the town hall and some were taken in front of the main entrance of the old college of Aberystwyth University.
For my grandfather's No4 Squadron B Flight 6 ITW photo also from December 1942 we positively id'd the background as Old College, Aberysthwyth University. Hope this helps clarify the references to 'college'. Couldn't share photo as file size too big.
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I have a photo of 6 ITW in Aberystwyth - D Flight, 1 Squadron - Intake 33 but no date. That was taken in front of the Qiueen's Hotel which is on the front but towards the northern end....North Shore. The ornate railings in the photo remain today - I lived near Aberystwyth until recently so hunted them down! The photo was taken by Pickford and Sons, a local Aberystwyth photographer.