Sgt William N Mayger M.M. RFC RAF

My research about Sgt Mayger is going very well, but I still need some help.
At the time of his death, on the 28/9/18, Sgt Mayger was in 203rd Squadron, RAF, however as this used to be a RANAS Squad before 1st April 1918, I trying to find out what Squadron he was in
when he was in the RFC, which he joined on 4/9/14.
In his soldier's small book, he's reg is given as Royal Flying Corps (M.W), does that mean anything to anyone?
Also, could anyone give me a rundown on how a Squadron was organised. How many Officers were in a squad, how many NCO's and enlisted men?
And finally what were the ranks at this time and roughly how much combat would Sgt Mayger have seen in his time with the air force?

>>In his soldier's small book, he's reg is given as Royal Flying Corps (M.W), does that mean anything to anyone?

I think you'll find this means Royal Flying Corps (Military Wing).

>>Also, could anyone give me a rundown on how a Squadron was organised. How many Officers were in a squad, how many NCO's and enlisted men?
>>And finally what were the ranks at this time and roughly how much combat would Sgt Mayger have seen in his time with the air force?

A typical scout squadron (In the Australian Flying Corps which probably holds true for the RFC) consisted of;
18 aircraft in 3 flights
1 Major as Squadron Commander
3 Captains as The Flight Commanders of A B and C flights
About 15-18 Lieutenant pilot officers (5 per flight plus spares).

In addition there was a Headquarters Flight commanded by the Lt. Equipment Officer (non-flying). He was in charge of all the Motor Transport, Workshops and Stores.

Each machine was looked after by one rigger, one mechanic and each two machines was looked after by an armourer.

In summary a squadron consisted of 1 Major, 3 Captains at least 15 pilots (Lt) and 3 non-flying Lts (the Equipment Officer, the Armourer and the Adjutant). In addition there were 150 other (non-commisioned) rank and file.

As far as non-commissioned aircrew goes I don't know (maybe one of the other forumites can describe a 2-seater sqn).

Gordon,
Are you assuming that the sergeant was not a pilot?
Steve

I guess so mate! In the AFC (as far as I can ascertain) only officers were pilots. In fact I was looking at the appendices to the history of 3 Sqn (an RE8 equipped Corps squadron) and there was only one Sgt aircrew mentioned (Sgt Hughes an observer who, with Lt. Sandy, was the crew which forced down the AWM D.Va before being mortally wounded and killed respectively by the same bullet!).

That is not to say that they may not have had other non-commissioned aircrew who all were eventually commissioned.

I've only been in the WW1 history game for a short time so am open to enlightenment on this question. Did the RFC have NCO pilots?

In answer to your question-yup! I think it was established in an earlier thread that this man was a Camel pilot. British, French and U.S. all had enlisted pilots. Don't know of many times when U.S. EM pilots flew combat missions, tho. There was one mission in which the pilot, a sergeant and the observer, a corporal flew a DH-4 Liberty over enemt lines. Would be very interested in any info that anyone might have on this subject.

Steve

In answer to your question-yup! I think it was established in an earlier thread that this man was a Camel pilot. British, French and U.S. all had enlisted pilots. Don't know of many times when U.S. EM pilots flew combat missions, tho. There was one mission in which the pilot, a sergeant and the observer, a corporal flew a DH-4 Liberty over enemt lines. Would be very interested in any info that anyone might have on this subject.

Steve