[Ian Burns]

I am researching an RNAS pilot – Miles Jeffrey Game Day – during the latter half of 1917, prior to a posting to France, he was appointed to the Isle of Grain, Air Department N1 Section.

My question is – What was the role of Air Department N1 Section ?

From very limited information Jeffrey appears to have been employed mainly in communications and ferry flying. He may have done some testing but I cannot confirm this.

Any help would be most useful.

[Ian Burns]

OK, so I asked this question once before – with no response – so better luck second time!

Another possible title for the unit was Air Department B Section.

[Michael Meech]

Hi

The only reference I have come across is from ‘The Royal Navy’s Air Service in the Great War’ by David Hobbs, page 295, where, reference Dunning, it mentions that:

“On 12 December 1916 he was appointed to the Admiralty for ‘B’ Section of the Air Department which was looking into ways of operating wheeled aircraft from ships and in the early weeks of 1917 he is known to have carried out deck landings on the dummy deck at Isle of Grain in Sopwith Pup 9497, …”

I presume this ‘B’ Section was a sub-unit as it does not appear to be included in lists of units that were based at Isle of Grain during WW1, which also appear to have had frequent ‘name changes’.

Mike

[Ian Burns]

Thanks Mike,

A clue at least. Unless I can find additional information I’ll stick to my existing assumptions – at least they fit the minimal information available.

Cheers
Ian

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