Royal Air Force Boy Entrants

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The RAF Boy Entrant scheme ran from the mid 1930s to late 1965 where boys joined the RAF at about the age of 15 to 17 and then underwent training in various occupations (or Trades) which fitted them for employment in the Royal Air Force. Training was suspended during WW2 but recommenced in May 1947.

Training was undertaken at a variety of RAF Stations including RAF Cosford, RAF St Athan, RAF Hereford and RAF Locking. Training took 18 months and included not just the trade and basic training but also more general academic education. After their 18 months of training they then moved to regular RAF duty stations and commenced employment in the trade they had trained on. It provided training and a focus in life for many boys who otherwise might have wasted their lives as it took boys who maybe were not very good at academics but possessed many other skills which the RAF successfully encouraged.

The Boy Entrant scheme ran alongside another Boys scheme called the RAF Apprentices who undertook 3 years training but run on similar lines.

[edit] References

for a fuller and more extensive explanation.

  • RAF Museum: The autobiography of a Trenchard Brat. Wg Cdr Joseph (Joe) Northrop, Author

Square One Publications, Publisher Production Date 1993

  • Further information on the RAF Museum Hendon web site.
  • RAF Cosford Aviation Museum has a small static display which commemorates Boy Entrant service in the RAF.

Other than that little has been written about RAF Boys Service apart from articles/memories submitted on various web sites. Try Googling "RAF Boy Entrants".