No. 1 Initial Training School RAAF

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Brief History

Early in 1940, 92 acres of land were acquired under the National Security Act to enable an initial training school to expand to a planned strength of 600 aircrew trainees. On 12 April 1940 preparations began fo the first students, who arrived on 29 Apr 1940. The camp facilities wee less than ideal with no local water supply and the cold and windy weather made the buildang of suitable accommodation at the new camp a necessity.

Trainees were tutored in subjects which included maths, navigation, law and administration, signals, medical, physical training, science, armament, gas defence and hygiene. Link trainer familiarisation commenced during June 1940, and the training was extended when the first Women's Australian Auxiliary Air Force (WAAAF) recruits commenced trainmg on 8 Jul 1942. The final WAAAF recruit course graduated in February 1943. Additional WAAAF Training commenced wath the first stewardess course in August 1942.

By September 1941, the strength of the unit stood at 35 officers and 266 airmen, with 914 trainees. Aircrew training ceased during June 1945, and there was a general exodus of personnel. By the end of July 1945 a large percentage of the equipment had been returned to store, and personnel numbers had reduce, such that on 6 Aug 1945 No. 1 Initial Training School ceased to function. The formal disbandment of No. 1 Initial Training School was scheduled for 13 Oct 1945.

Trainees

• Stewart Leslie White 15 Dec 1944 - 1 Feb 1945

Notes

Content has come from Units of the Royal Australian Air Force - A Concise History - Volume 8 Training Units - Australian Government Publishing Service - 1995