At the moment we know very little about his early life. But we have established that he was in Italy in 1911. This accounts for him not being in the 1911 census for England. It also helps to substantiate a later claim that by the age of 25 he had been 'a globetrotter'.
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There is circumstantial evidence that he may have fought for the South African Army in the Imperial Light Horse, in the German South West Africa campaign in 1914. We have not been able to verify this.
Then at the age of 21 in February 1916 he joins the Royal Flying Corps as a Driver. To be a driver at the age of 21 at this time may have made him somewhat unusual. Sent to France to join 41 Wing, we have no knowledge what he may have done. To receive gunshot wounds implies flying as a gunner when short of aircrew or less likely, coming under fire while driving on behalf of 41 Wing which ought to be nowhere near the front line.
The first post card shows what may be the Driving Section of Headquarters staff.
TAW is centre back. No other names are known.
The reverse reads ‘To Darling Mum and Dad with lots of Love for Xmas 1916’ and is dated Dec 10th.
MT Section 41 WING - 1916 ROYAL AIR FORCE Dance troupe 1918 
The second postcard shows Tom (3rd from left) as part of a dance troupe. No other names are known.
The reverse reads ‘Smile D. M. You, Smile’, and ‘France Aug.18 1918’.
WORLD WAR I
Thomas Arthur Whiteley
Service Number 23247 (This was issued in 1916 and reused in 1939.)
Date of Enlistment: 21 Feb 1916 into Royal Flying Corp.
Transferred to Royal Air Force: 1 Apr 18
In TAW’s Attestation Papers his Trade or Calling is given as Artiste. His height is 5ft 8ins.
For his chest measurement; the girth when fully expanded is 41ins, with a range of expansion of 4ins.
DETAIL OF PERIODS SPENT IN HOSPITAL:
The Casualty card which would have shown his injuries and medical details was destroyed on 30 Jun 1920.
But they are listed elsewhere as:
Bullet wound behind left ear.
Gunshot “scalp” and right side face.
Bullet lower right abdomen.
Admitted General Hospital Ētaples | 16 Dec 16 |
Discharged to Base [St Omer] | 20 Dec 16 |
Admitted General Hospital Calais | 9 Aug 17 |
Discharged to Unit | 24 Aug 17 |
Admitted Military Hospital Leeds whilst on leave from France | 13 Dec 18 |
POSTINGS:
41 Wing 21 Feb 16 RAF Depot Rouen, France 18 Oct 18 2 Air Depot for Release 22 Dec 18
MUSTERINGS:
Driver | 21 Feb 16 |
RANKS HELD:
Air mechanic 2nd Class 21 Feb 16 Air mechanic 1st Class 1 Apr 16 Acting Corporal 1 Apr 16 Corporal 1 Aug 16 RAF Corporal mechanic 1 Apr 18
Copyright © Ken Kirkman 2009-2010