ROYAL AIR FORCE

Evening Post, Volume C, Issue 112, 8 November 1920, Page 8

ROYAL AIR FORCE

THE TRAINING OF BOYS,

(FROII OUR OWN. CORESPONDENT.)

, . LONDON. 9th September. The Air Ministry has acquired a beautiful stretch of country "miles from anywhere" for the purposes of the R.A.F. Boys' Training School, at Cranwell, near Lincoln. On this land' have been built modern engineering and carpentering workshops, parade grounds, immense drill sheds for wet weather use, a gymnasium, a cinema, dining halls, sleeping, and recreation rooms, and even a swimming bath. The soil is light, the- country wide and open, and the air bracing. There is accommodation for 1500. The boys como from all parts of England, and! are of the very best material, with secondary or Grammar School educations. A fairly high standard is reqtiired, and on examination in mathematics, scienoe, English composition, and general knowledge has to be passed before admission is secured. Half the boys are trained ss metal workers, on the lathe, and at the forge, and the other half as woodworkers, for work- on the aeroplane itecll. In addition to the technical work, eight hours a week are devoted to education under a special staff, while physical training and games are compulsory. Two half-holidays a week and no work on i Sunday is the rule, and eight weeks' holiday at home in tho year. Half the boys' pay, at 10s 6d a week, is withheld and saved for them. Boys are not allowed 'to smoke till they are eighteen. Tlie conrse of training lasts for the first three of the 12 years' engagement, and then the boys are drafted to service squadrons. The complete-ness of the training is the strong point, and hopes are expressed that a permanent agreement will bo reached with the Trade Unions, so that ths boy, aitor his engagement has bean completed, may be accepted aS vkiilcd.