No. 2 School of Technical Training RAAF

Group photograph of RAAF recruits at the No.2 School of Technical Training (2STT). awm P10044.002

Brief History

This unit was originally formed on 18 December 1939 as No. 2 Civil Training Centre charged with providing technical trade training to meet the requirements of the Empire Air Training Scheme. Facilities for the School were erected near the north-eastern boundary of the Canberra base and the first 100 trainees received Fitting and Turning instruction under an arrangement with the principal of the Canberra Technical College. The first 60 trainees were posted to the unit on 19 Dec 1939, to be followed by 51 more on 20 February 1940. The unit was organised to handle up to 316 trainees at this time.

On I July 1940, No. 2 School of Technical Training moved to new barracks constructed at the Canberra Technical College in Kingston, where it remained until it was disbanded on 16 Nov 1945. At the time of the move. the strength of this unit was two officers, 33 barracks staff and 222 trainees. Lectures on elementary electricity and internal combustion commenced on 27 April. Courses conducted at the School were fitter II(A) (airframe), fitter II(E) (engines), flight rigger, instrument maker, instrument repairer, fitter armament, armourer, fitter driver motor transport, electrician. turner, and motor boat crew. In the period December 1939 - July 1945, 578 courses were conducted and 3,921 trainees passed through the School.

Trainees

• Laurence Harold Smith 27 Apr - 19 Jun 1942 - No 49 Trainee Group II (Fitter) Course

Notes

Source of information - Units of the Royal Australian Airforce - A Concise History - Vol 8 Training Units - Australian Government Publishing Service - 1995