Folley, Ernest (Oral history)

British apprentice served with No 1 School of Technical Training, RAF Halton in GB, 1927-1930; aircraftman served with Home Aircraft Depot, RAF Henlow in GB, 1930-1931; served with 55 Sqdn, RAF at RAF Hinaidi in Iraq, 1931-1933; trained as pilot with No 4 Flying Training School, RAF Abu Sueir in Egypt, 1933; NCO served as pilot with 8 Sqdn, RAF in Aden and British Somaliland, 1934-1937; served with 113 Sqdn, RAF and with 104 Sqdn, RAF in GB, 1937-1940

REEL 1 Recollections of period as apprentice with No 1 School of Technical Training, RAF Halton in GB, 1927-1930: background to enlistment in RAF, 1927; initial impressions of RAF Halton; accommodation and beds; discipline; character of training and instructors; metal fitter training; encouragement to gain flying experience; daily routine including meals, parades and inspections; uniform worn; limited recreational activities and homework; disciplinary offences and duties during confinement to camp; treatment of thief; restricted personal space and attitude to theft; classification of Halton apprentices. REEL 2 Continues: differing educational standards of various RAF grades and promotion block caused by ex-army personnel; personalities. Aspects of period as aircraftman with Home Aircraft Depot, RAF Henlow in GB, 1930-1931: posting to unit; function of depot; work at depot; pay as leading aircraftman; types of aircraft worked on; parachute experiments at RAF Henlow; attitude to ground crew duties with R 101 airship. Recollections of period as aircraftman with 55 Sqdn, RAF at RAF Hinaidi in Iraq, 1931-1933: conditions on troopship; train journey to Hinaidi; establishment at RAF Hinaidi. REEL 3 Continues: character of accommodation; routine and discipline; Squadron Leader George Gardener's previous castration by Iraqi insurgents; duties maintaining Westland Wapiti; role of squadron in Iraq; search for missing aircraft; training as air gunner; bombing; firing at ground targets; character of tropical uniform; flying conditions; operations against Kurds from Irbil; Kurds' attitude to RAF aircrew; casualties to ground fire. REEL 4 Continues: Assyrian Levies revolt; airlifting of troop reinforcements in Vickers Victorias; photographic surveying in Habbaniyah area; Arab hospitality after forced landing; squadron forced landings during flight to Heliopolis Air Display and problems encountered by repair party. Aspects of flying training at No 4 Flying Training School, RAF Abu Sueir in Egypt, 1933: origins of flying pupils; flying in Avro 504K; daily routine; first solo; failure and accident rate; passing out as sergeant pilot. Recollections of period as pilot with 8 Sqdn, RAF in Aden and British Somaliland, 1934-1937: posting to squadron, 1934; story of forced landing in Fairey IIIF. REEL 5 Continues: area of operations and duties; peace keeping duties; move to Burao, British Somaliland during Abyssinian Crisis, 1935; character of patrols including communicating with Somaliland Camel Corps and forced landings; recreational activities and makeshift cinema; mail run to isolated station; failure of electrical bomb release; return to GB, 1937; problems with Rolls Royce engines due to sand. REEL 6 Continues: reasons for extension of tour. Aspects of period as pilot with 113 Sqdn, RAF at RAF Upper Heyfor in GB, 6/1937-4/1938: situation on arrival at station; taking increased responsibility; reasons for not following squadron to Egypt. Aspects of period as pilot with 104 Sqdn, RAF in GB, 1938-1940: posting to squadron at RAF Hucknall, 4/1938; move to RAF Bassingbourn; role training air gunners; conversion training necessary on introduction of Bristol Blenheim; forced landing in Bristol Blenheim and results of subsequent enquiry; attending navigation course; character of night flying training and flare paths used. REEL 7 Continues: Reflections on service with RAF, 1927-1939: RAF's encourgement of sport; benefits of involvement in sport; attitude to lifestyle.