Can anyone make this out?

Post by **Pandabean** » Thu Jan 04, 2007 4:22 pm

Just wondering if anyone can make out the last line and know what it means? It is from a birth certificate in 1918.

Pte RG7? I have no idea what the RG7 means. I know that Pte is Private so it seems that he served in the war.

http://talkingscot.com/gallery/displayi ... p?pos=-968

Andy

Post by **Merlot** » Thu Jan 04, 2007 4:40 pm

Hi,

Looks like RAF to me

Merlot

Post by **Tracey** » Thu Jan 04, 2007 4:46 pm

I would say RA7

Russell · Post by **Russell** » Thu Jan 04, 2007 5:44 pm

Hi Tracey

I would agree with you except I don't think the continental 7 came into general use in the UK until much later

In fact its not in regular use even now.

Andy. Could you tell us if this was recorded on the continent or over here

Could you post a bit more of it so we can make some comparisons with the rest of the entries please.

It's possible that RA7 was a grading of some sort, or shorthand for Royal Artillery. He was a coach driver and a lot of the artillery was horse drawn.

Russell

Post by **Jean Jeanie** » Thu Jan 04, 2007 5:50 pm

Hi All

I agree with Merlot..............RAF.

That's how a capital A looked years ago (without the curly bit on the top) and a capital F was written like that only with a tail on the bottom (pointing to the left) if you can understand that.

Jean

PS For those of my age group you will remember that a Capital T looked the same except for the stroke across the middle

Post by **Pandabean** » Thu Jan 04, 2007 6:09 pm

The birth was in Haddington in 1918.

RAF? I'm sure that formed in 1918 and comprised both the Army Air Force and Naval Air Force. Also the Air Force as far as I know doesnt use the term private. It would be airman, would it not?

Full certificate:
http://talkingscot.com/gallery/displayi ... p?pos=-969

Thanks
Andy

Post by **paddyscar** » Thu Jan 04, 2007 9:47 pm

I'd say RAF.

Jean Jeanie wrote: ... For those of my age group you will remember that a Capital T looked the same except for the stroke across the middle

The form of the "T" is the same, as Jean says. It shows in the 13Th January in the parent's marriage date.

Pandabean wrote: RAF? I'm sure that formed in 1918 and comprised both the Army Air Force and Naval Air Force. Also the Air Force as far as I know doesnt use the term private. It would be airman, would it not?

Grace's birth year was 1918. Perhaps at the outset, the members of the combined force used the ranks of their previous group, until all the issues around the new force were established?

Frances

Post by **emanday** » Thu Jan 04, 2007 9:59 pm

OK, probably way off the mark here, but I am sure of two things. That is neither an F nor a 7.

The F in the Sex column is quite definite.
The 7 in the date of registration 27th June is also quite clear.

Coach Driver - Pte = Private & I see the letters as RC something. Could that be something Coach something?

DavidWW · Post by **DavidWW** » Thu Jan 04, 2007 10:05 pm

The Royal Air Force was formed on 1st April 1918, after which date RAF ranks should apply, but that's not to say he didn't carry forward an army rank from RFC service......

The Royal Air Force was formed by amalgamating the RFC (Royal Flying Corps) and the RNAS (Royal Naval Air Service)

David

Alison Plenderleith · Post by **Alison Plenderleith** » Fri Jan 05, 2007 10:52 am

Hi Andy and all,

I'm not convinced it's an 'A'. To me it looks like it could be a 'G'. I'm not convinced either that it's an 'F' or a 7, although a bit stumped as to what it could be.

Probably no help at all but just thought I'd add my two pennies worth!

Kind regards,

Alison