About This Unit
Information and History of No. 7 Training Squadron, Australian Flying Corps
Units
Central flying schools
Australian Flying Corps
Royal Flying Corps
Places
Point Cook
Western Front
Commanding Officers
Ralfe, Henry Douglas Eyre
Anderson, William Hopton
Blake, David Valentine Jardine
Duigan, John Robertson
Francis, Reginald George David
Wackett, Lawrence James
Conflict
First World War, 1914-1918
Unit Hierarchy
Commonwealth Military Forces
Australian Imperial Force
Australian Flying Corps
No. 7 Training Squadron, Australian Flying Corps
History Information
By 1917 the Australian Flying Corps (AFC) consisted of four operational squadrons which outstripped the ability of the Army's Central Flying School at Point Cook to supply sufficient trained airmen. It was decided, therefore, to establish training squadrons within the AFC. Four such squadrons were subsequently established in the United Kingdom during 1917.
7 Squadron AFC was formed at Yatesbury on 24 October 1917. It was originally identified as 32 (Australian Training) Squadron, Royal Flying Corps, but was renamed, along with all of the Australian squadrons, in January 1918. The squadron relocated to Leighterton on 23 February 1917, where it remained until disbanded in March 1919.
The squadron's principal role was to prepare personnel for service with what was at first 69 (Australian) Squadron, RFC, and subsequently 3 Squadron, AFC, which was operating with British forces over the Western Front. The squadron operated a variety of aircraft types throughout its history and these are listed below.
British Designation - No. 32 (Australian) Squadron RFC