Form 543 - No. 2 R.C. Cardington

[SpikeCov]

Hi

I wondered if you could provide some information with regards to two entries on my Grandad's Form 543.

Attachment 10540

He joined the RAF Volunteer Reserves and his date of enlistment and service commenced on 22/04/1940. According to the Form 543 he was sent to No. 2 R.C. Cardington. The Mustering column shows A.C.H. G.D with the same date 22/04/1940.

I presume No. 2 R.C. Cardington is where he would have done his initial training having arrived there for duty. I understand that A.C.H G.D is Aircraft Hand General Duties.

I would be grateful if anyone could provide details for the following:

1. Does R.C. stand for Recruiting Centre or something else?
2. What would their initial training entail?
3. How long did the initial training last and was they then posted to squadrons/units?
4. Referring to my Grandad's Form 543, the second entry shows G.D.G.S? what does this stand for? Not sure if last letter is an S. He was only with G.D.G.S for less that two weeks because on 4/06/1940 he was then posted to A.M. Unit (I'll set up another thread to ask questions about the A.M. Unit at a later date)
5. What does 'General Duties' consist of?
6. My Grandad said to me 30 years ago that when he did his training, he manned the rear machine gun on a Fairey Swordfish. Was this something they put recruits through? As it transpired my Grandad became a Ground Gunner (GG).

Thank you.

Spike