Ken Young - Aircraft Fitter (Engines) extract from Service Record

(September 1943 - December 1946)

HMS Gosling (Camp 1 & Camp 5)

Dates: Sep–Nov 1943, plus short returns in 1944
Role: HMS Gosling, located at Risley near Warrington, was one of the Royal Navy’s largest Fleet Air Arm training centres. It consisted of several camps, each used for different phases of training.

• Camp 1 handled initial reception and basic naval instruction.
• Camp 5 delivered technical training for Air Mechanics and Air Fitters, including engines, airframes, and hydraulics.
  These postings represent the foundation of his technical trade training.

RAF Sealand Range

Dates: 1–5 November 1943
Role: Part of RAF Sealand near Chester, the Range was used for armament and gunnery training. This short posting likely involved weapons‑related instruction essential for aircraft maintenance personnel.

RAF Fulham

Dates: Nov 1943 – Feb 1944
Role: A small RAF administrative and transit centre in London. It served as a holding and processing unit between training phases. His promotion from Air Mechanic to Air Fitter was recorded here.

RAF Bedhampton

Dates: Feb–Mar 1944 and Sep–Oct 1944
Role: A wartime RAF technical and administrative site near Havant, Hampshire. It was used for continuation training and as a holding draft between major postings.

HMS Daedalus (RNAS Lee‑on‑Solent)

Dates: 8–15 March 1944
Role: One of the Fleet Air Arm’s principal air stations. This short posting was administrative, likely connected to his transfer to RAF Hednesford for advanced technical training.

RAF Hednesford

Dates: 17 March – 14 September 1944
Role: Home to No. 6 School of Technical Training, one of the RAF’s largest technical schools. Here he completed intensive Air Fitter training, covering engines, airframes, electrics, and hydraulics.

HMS Gosling (Trainees)

Dates: 8–25 October 1944
Role: A return to Gosling for final naval technical assessment and administrative preparation before joining an operational Fleet Air Arm squadron.

761 Naval Air Squadron

Dates: 26 October 1944 – 3 February 1946
Role: Part of the Fleet Fighter School, based at RNAS Henstridge and Yeovilton. The squadron trained naval fighter pilots using Seafires, Spitfires, Masters, and other aircraft.
As an Air Fitter and later Leading Air Fitter (E), he maintained these aircraft during advanced flying and deck‑landing training.

Passage

Dates: 4–5 February 1946
Role: Indicates movement between postings — in this case, from 761 Squadron to HMS Fieldfare.

HMS Fieldfare (RNAS Evanton)

Dates: Feb–Mar 1946, Apr–May 1946, May–Jun 1946, Jun–Dec 1946
Role: HMS Fieldfare was the Royal Navy’s name for RNAS Evanton in Ross and Cromarty, Scotland. Originally built in 1922 and expanded in 1937, it served as a Fleet Air Arm training and aircraft storage station throughout the war.
 

During his time there:

• He performed post‑war maintenance and storage duties.
• He was promoted to Acting Petty Officer Air Fitter (E).

He completed his service and was released to shore in Class A on 5 December 1946.