No. 1 School of Military Aeronautics facts for kids
The No 1 School of Military Aeronautics was a special training school during World War I. It was located in Reading, England. This school helped train pilots and observers for the Royal Flying Corps (RFC). The RFC was like the air force of that time. The school started in 1915 to train teachers. But it grew in 1916 to train many more people. All the training happened on the ground. Students learned about flying, how to read maps, and even how to guide artillery from the air.
History of the Air School
In December 1915, the RFC needed places to train its airmen. They took over some buildings from the University of Reading. At first, they only trained people to become flight instructors.
Expanding the Training
On October 27, 1916, the school became much bigger. It started training new pilot and observer cadets. It was then called the No 1 School of Military Aeronautics. Another similar school, No 2, opened in Oxford at the same time.
The school's main office was in Yeomanry House. Most lessons were taught at Wantage Hall. This was a new building that belonged to the University. Practical lessons, like learning how to move planes on the ground, happened in Upper Redlands Road and nearby playing fields.
What Students Learned
The school gave cadets their first training. They learned the theory of flying. This included how to read maps, how to use guns from the air, and how airplane engines worked.
Around 1917, a small airfield was set up at nearby Coley Park. This was for more hands-on training. The school also separated its technical training. This part, called the School of Technical Training, operated from an old jam factory next to the airfield.
Changes and Instructors
By September 1917, most technical training moved to Halton Camp. However, Coley Park likely stayed open for the rest of the war.
Many teachers at the school were veterans from the Western Front. These were soldiers who had fought in the war. They were often young, just like their students. This sometimes made teaching a bit tricky.
For students learning to be observers, the school had a special room. It was set up to look like an airplane in the sky. A map with lights was painted on the floor. A fake airplane body hung from the ceiling. This helped them practice guiding artillery from above.
Famous People Who Studied Here
Many important people trained at this school. Here are a few:
- Andrew Beauchamp-Proctor VC, DSO, MC*, DFC - A very brave pilot.
- Dudley Clarke - He became a famous deception officer in World War II.
- Francis Howard Bickerton - An explorer who traveled to the Antarctic.
- Ian Bonham-Carter - A high-ranking officer in the RAF during World War II.
- William Earl Johns - The author who wrote the popular Biggles books.
