From East Lancashire Field Ambulance to Royal Flying Corp

[fridayschild]

An ancestor of mine joined the 2nd East Lancashire Field Ambulance Brigade in November 1914, he served with them up to August 1916 when he transferred to the Royal Flying Corp, starting off in the rank of 2/am and then from October 1917 as 1/am, finally being promoted to ?PL mechanic in 1918. Has anyone else come across a man who started out in the army and then ended up in the RFC and later the RAF?

[ScouseBoy]

He may have  had  skills, such as a mechanic,  required by the RFC.

[MaxD]

A not uncommon progression -  into the RFC which continued growing as the war progressed so needed people and the personnel from there (and the Royal Naval Air Service) were seamlessly transferred into the RAF on 1 April 1918 when it was formed.

His first unit was 2nd East Lancashire Field Ambulance (no Brigade in the title) which as well as medics had drivers, mechanics, horse folk and other support people see http://www.1914-1918.net/whatfieldamb.htm so, as SB says, his particular skills may have been what prompted the transfer.

maxD