Question for our friends in the UK: During WW2 was it possible to get into the Royal Air Force at age 15?

Bill MN Loc: Western MN

During WW2 was it possible to get into the Royal Air Force at age 15?

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Bill MN wrote:

During WW2 was it possible to get into the Royal Air Force at age 15?

Probably not in England, but I bet was compulsory in Japan and Germany, especially toward the end.

insman1132 Loc: Southwest Florida

Not legally, but I am sure that in the RAF, like our Air Force and other military at that time, many were able to using false documents. Wasn't Audey Murphy one that got in while he was underage??

donrent Loc: Punta Gorda , Fl

insman1132 wrote:

Not legally, but I am sure that in the RAF, like our Air Force and other military at that time, many were able to using false documents. Wasn't Audey Murphy one that got in while he was underage??

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You are so correct......

Jackinthebox Loc: travel the world

jerryc41 wrote:

Probably not in England, but I bet was compulsory in Japan and Germany, especially toward the end.

oops, no Royal Air Force in Germany nor in Japan.

Close but no cigar.

lateron Loc: Yorkshire, England

Bill MN wrote:

During WW2 was it possible to get into the Royal Air Force at age 15?

YES, as a Boy Entrant. But you were not classed as a combatant. I, myself, joined at 161/2, as an Admin Apprentice. On the same day in 1954, I received a travel warrent for RAF Cosford for interview as a Boy Entrant.

lateron Loc: Yorkshire, England

Jackinthebox wrote:

oops, no Royal Air Force in Germany nor in Japan.

Close but no cigar.

Agreed, there WAS no RAF in Germany or Japan, but that is just a play on words. There was, (in Germany at least), the Hitler Youth!! Cigar restored!!!!

lateron Loc: Yorkshire, England

insman1132 wrote:

Not legally, but I am sure that in the RAF, like our Air Force and other military at that time, many were able to using false documents. Wasn't Audey Murphy one that got in while he was underage??

Sorry to disagree, but it was LEGAL!! They were non-combatants, but they could LEGALLY Join the Armed Forces as "boys" - not as combatants - to do that, they HAD to lie about their age.

Bill MN Loc: Western MN

lateron wrote:

YES, as a Boy Entrant. But you were not classed as a combatant. I, myself, joined at 161/2, as an Admin Apprentice. On the same day in 1954, I received a travel warrent for RAF Cosford for interview as a Boy Entrant.

So it is possible joining the military in 1936 at age 15 by 1939 age 18 he could be a combat pilot for the RAF. Am I correct in assuming that?

lateron Loc: Yorkshire, England

Bill MN wrote:

So it is possible joining the military in 1936 at age 15 by 1939 age 18 he could be a combat pilot for the RAF. Am I correct in assuming that?

YES, You are correct. In fact, many Boy Entrants and Apprentices went on to become AirCrew, (in a variety of roles, not just Pilots). In Fact, (according to Wikipaedia), "Trenchard's Brats" - (as Aircraft Apprentices were known), were formed in 1920.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

lateron wrote:

YES, You are correct. In fact, many Boy Entrants and Apprentices went on to become AirCrew, (in a variety of roles, not just Pilots). In Fact, (according to Wikipaedia), "Trenchard's Brats" - (as Aircraft Apprentices were known), were formed in 1920.

Thanks. I keep learning here.

mikeysaling Loc: essex uk

May be of Interest
23 March 2011 Last updated at 12:57 Share this pageFacebookTwitter ShareEmail Print Honour for Battle of Britain's youngest Spitfire pilotSquadron Leader Geoffrey Wellum Geoffrey Wellum joined the RAF at the age of 18 Continue reading the main story
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The youngest Spitfire pilot in the Battle of Britain has been honoured with the Freedom of the City of London.

Sqn Ldr Geoffrey Wellum joined the RAF on a short-service commission in August 1939 at the age of 18.

He served with 92 Squadron, taking part in "dogfights" with German planes when Battle of Britain began. He was later awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Mr Wellum, now 90, said it was "probably the greatest air
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-12833450

Bill MN Loc: Western MN

lateron wrote:

YES, You are correct. In fact, many Boy Entrants and Apprentices went on to become AirCrew, (in a variety of roles, not just Pilots). In Fact, (according to Wikipaedia), "Trenchard's Brats" - (as Aircraft Apprentices were known), were formed in 1920.

Thank you. The reason I asked, a few days ago I met a man age 93 that was in the RAF and is now a US citizen. I remember now he was a navigator. I just met him so didn't want to ask questions about the war. If I see him again I'd like to ask if he flew in a British or US made plane. We could use people like Roosevelt and Churchill today.

Bill MN Loc: Western MN

mikeysaling wrote:

May be of Interest br 23 March 2011 Last updated a... (show quote)

Wouldn't he be 93 today if he was born in 1921?

lateron Loc: Yorkshire, England

mikeysaling wrote:

May be of Interest br 23 March 2011 Last updated a... (show quote)

Thanks,
I've had a quick look at the BBC series, I will keep and savour later!!!!