Sailor uniforms in the RAF?

[emfranky]

I recently was given this picture of my Great-Grandfather with his Squadron from May 1944. I know that he was a drill sergeant in the RAF, however, in the picture he, the squadron commander, and the flight commander are with men in, what appear to be, sailor uniforms. Why would this be? Is anyone able to shed some light on this? 

[jess5athome]

Hi, I cannot tell you anything much, however I put the title of the photo into the internet and one of the only "Hits" to match anything like was an item on a auction site "*bay", this was titled

"RAF Flight "G" Squadron No.36 R & C Wing 1944" -Navigators Course Photographs.

so perhaps they could all have attended a navigators course and your Great Grandfather and the other two RAF men were instructor's?

Hope that's of some help.

Regards.
Frank.

[ainslie]

Curious that the naval uniforms, complete with Leading Seaman badges and 'HMS' on cap talllies, conflict with the ranks shown on the photo mount.

Someone may know where Walkers photographers were based, or what F Squadron was.  Most had numbers.
A

[mmm45]

Maybe something to do with Air Sea rescue?

Ady

[Drew5233]

Not my area but I would research down the Fleet Air Arm route as a starter.

[emfranky]

Hi everyone, sorry for the late reply! Just wanted to say thank you for your time and assistance, you've given me lots to look into 

[craigatkinson]

I recently was given this picture of my Great-Grandfather with his Squadron from May 1944. I know that he was a drill sergeant in the RAF, however, in the picture he, the squadron commander, and the flight commander are with men in, what appear to be, sailor uniforms. Why would this be? Is anyone able to shed some light on this? 

I just scanned some pictures in and looking at the date and numbers I presume this was the previous shot?
51 flight f squadron number 36 R&C wing squadron may 1944

[philipsearching]

If you can get hold of your great-grandfather's service record it could identify which squadron he served in.

I noted that S/Ldr Macrae and F/O W R Cook were in RAF uniform on the photo so I tried a search for them.  No luck, but I found a website which might be useful (it has a contact).
http://www.unithistories.com/officers/RAF_officers_M01.html

Hope this helps
Philip

[althos]

I have located Walkers photographic studios limited to St Thomas street Scarborough.
The hotels of Scarborough were used to accommodate recruits of the no. 10 and 11 Initial training wings where they learned about the ways of the RAF before going on to trade or flying training. The building in the second picture looks more like a hotel than military accommodation. Other coastal resorts were also used for this purpose.