A Royal Airforce Engineer

I have a notebook that belonged to my father-in-law. He trained as a mechanic during the war and worked Spitfires, Hurricanes, and the Wellington Twin Engined Bombers in World War 2

The book is all handwritten, and the first page has is entitled Basic Standing Orders. It is signed off by Mr. Taylor, marking it as good, on 4th April 1941. It makes interesting reading. Note the use of hats, and no singing allowed. I’m intrigued as to what other purpose oil cams could be used for.

1. Disciplinary action will be taken against any trainee not complying with the following orders.
2. Great Care is to be taken when using Government property buildings, workshops, equipment, tools, etc.
3. No smoking during working hours except at break times in authorised places outside the workshops.
4. No singing, unnecessary talking, or eating in the workshop.
5. Trainees will not leave their classes without permission from instructors.
6. Trainees will not leave the workshop area during working hours without permission from the instructor.
7. Trainees must report to their instructor if for any reason they should arrive in workshops after normal starting hours.
8. No trainee will at any time interfere with building contractors, employees’ plant, or materials.
9. Overalls are to be worn at all times when under instruction.
10. Workshops are to be left tidy and at finishing time each day, all paper to be placed in the bag.
11. Hats or coats are to be placed on the hooks provided.
12. Trainees are to march to and from work at all times.
13. Oil cans are to be used only for the purpose for which they are provided.
14. No Trainee will stand, sit, or place any article on the hot water pipes as the supporting brackets are easily broken.
15. While at work, trainees are to keep their respirators in the rack under the bench.
16. All fair notebooks are to be brought in every Saturday morning for inspection.

The book contains a lot of information, from testing to learning to the actual repairs done to the airplanes. Impossible to share it all, so I thought I would post some of the wonderful illustrations he did to accompany his notes.