Transfer from Army to RFC 1916

[Jomot]

I've just come across the RAF service record of a family member who appears to have started out as a territorial in the Durham Light Infantry in 1914 and then transferred to the RFC in 1916.

Can anyone advise how this might have come about?  Is it something he would have had to apply for or would he have had no say in the matter? 

The records don't hold a lot of information but his previous unit is given as 5 DLI TF from 2 Nov 14 to 31 Jan 16 & his rank on leaving was Acting Corporal.  He joined the RFC as an Air Mechanic, although he was a carpenter by trade.

His records only refer to 53 Squadron, although online searches suggest this wasn't formed until May 1916 so I'm not sure where he would have been before that.  Other family members in 5 DLI were in France from April 1915 but I don't think this man was as there is no reference to the 14-15 Star on his records

This is a new area of research for me so any guidance would be appreciated.

[ScouseBoy]

There has been a similar thread with a question on similar lines as this one recently.

Your man probably had skills or aptitude required by the AFC.     The early aircraft probably had wooden wings  for which a carpenter  would be a valuable skill

[Jomot]

There has been a similar thread with a question on similar lines as this one recently.

I cannot find a previous post covering these specific questions.  Perhaps you could post the link?

[ScouseBoy]

Let me try to remember where I saw it, please?

[km1971]

Air Mechanic - of which there were three classes - was the lowest rank in the RFC, and applied to all 'trades'. The RFC was actually part of the army, and he probably saw a notice advertising for skilled men to transfer to the RFC.

The RAF was created as a separate service taking the RFC from the army and the Royal Navy Air Service. The lowest rank in the RAF was renamed Aircraftman.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAF_other_ranks

Ken

[Romilly]

Hi Jomot,

My late Uncle, George Felix Wilson went from the Army into the RFC during WW1. As a new Service, it was the regular route for most men. I have Posted about him before on here:

http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=134199.0

http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=703194.msg5461732#msg5461732

Romilly.

[Mancpal]

My great uncle was a territorial prior to the war and then saw service in Egypt, Gallipoli and France. He was released as "time served" early in 1916. The Military Service Act  came into force around this time effectively meaning all men (time served territorials included) were liable for conscription. In a bid to avoid the trenches again he volunteered for the RFC. I wonder if this may be the case with your man?
In my great uncle's case he qualified to become a pilot of F2b's and ultimately was shot down twice, perhaps he would have been safer keeping his down in a trench! Despite this mishap (and arriving home from Gallipoli on a hospital ship and a spell in military hospital with jaundice), he lived until he was 97.