No.1 Recruit Depot RAAF

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Brief History

The establishment of the Recruit and Technical Training Section at 1 Aircraft Depot, Laverton, Victoria, took place on 1 Mar 1935. The school was to train technical trainees, and was organised into three sections giving training in drill and physical training, trade training (metal riggers and fitter aero) and a reserve pool.

Trade training for other musterings was given 'on-the-job', when the men were not required to undergo drill. Wireless telegraphy and armament training were separate, becoming a part of the Depot Headquarters Squadron during June 1935. During August 1936, the section was reorganised into four flights: 'A' wireless telegraphy, 'B' trade training, 'C' drill and 'D' personnel awaiting courses or posting. The scope of trainng was enlarged. Service police refresher and initial training was combined and instituted during November, and training for physical education and drill instructors commenced in December 1936.

The section became known as 'Recruit Training Squadron' during September 1936, and assumed control of the Communications and Survey Flight on 3 May 1937. The organisation remained

The organisation remained intact until it was mobilised on 3 Sep 1939. A per>'mncl trnns1t c<'ntrc was formed under the command of Flying Officer A.S. l'lctcht•r. I School of Technical Tra.nlng and the engineering -.chool lx.'Caml' separate un•t>., after havin11 b<><>n fom1ed as sub-umts of Trammg t:Npot, d urmg February and March 1940, respectively. The unit lx.'Came 1 Rccru1t Depot on 2 M.uch 19-10, and moved to Ascot Vall', Victoria, on 19 September 19-11. Th" Wd> f<>llo•n'd by •ts final move, to Shepparton, Victoria, which was complcll'<l on 12 Fcbruar)' 1942. From that d.1te until the unit ceased to function, servicemen were trained, in addition to normal recrwt traintng. ill> drill 111'-truc:-to...,, !,'llards instructional, aerodrome defence mstructors, ;ur dl.'fence off1cers and warrant officers (discipllnary). BetwLoen March 1940 and when the last l'ntry was mad~ in the Unit History Records on 31 May 1945, 42,376 servicemen had graduated from No. 1 Recruit Depot.

Unit Personnel

• Allan George Cucel 22 Oct - 23 Nov 1940