Frederick Cecil Rowland RAF

**Roger M** · 10-08-2018, 09:51 PM

A while ago I picked up a carrier bag which was full of envelopes. After delving in deep I worked out that they belonged to a RAF officer who started his career circa 1926 and left as a Wing commander circa 1948. To be honest most of it is interesting to a certain extent, I have never seen original cheque books and bank statements (all hand written) from this era but to be fair it wont hold a lot of interest here. Some of the envelopes are great and show a fair amount of history of the early days of the RAF on their own. I will also include some other items to show the interests and distractions.
Firstly, driving licence from the island of Jersey 1922 stating his age as 19.

1926 For any Pilot insurance would be an issue and no luck from the Daily Mail Free insurance policy.

**Roger M** · 10-08-2018, 10:01 PM

Army and Navy Wine list

Tax return expenses allowances form

I have found a video of RAF Farnborough School of Photography in 1922 using the same plane.
RAF School of Photography | The Australian War Memorial

Portable gramophone

Addressed to RAF Odiham which is interesting as 1926 was its first year of use as a field.

13 SQN Army-co-operation were flying the Bristol Fighter F2B in 1926.

**Roger M** · 10-08-2018, 10:06 PM

Horse Racing phishing letter

Cars and bikes are another big draw and he seems to right off a few vehicles in the process.

**Roger M** · 10-08-2018, 10:17 PM

Here is an image of a Williamson motorcycle to give you an idea of styling
Williamson Flat Twin - Wikipedia

**Ubique** · 10-09-2018, 01:05 AM

I would not be surprised if the bike was pranged. He comes up in a 5th Nov 1928 newspaper on Genes Reunited as having been fined 5 Pounds for driving in a reckless manner. Maybe something to do with the Overland repairs? Pilots ... always pushing their machinery to its limits LOL.

Oz.

**Roger M** · 10-09-2018, 08:52 AM

by Ubique

I would not be surprised if the bike was pranged. He comes up in a 5th Nov 1928 newspaper on Genes Reunited as having been fined 5 Pounds for driving in a reckless manner. Maybe something to do with the Overland repairs? Pilots ... always pushing their machinery to its limits LOL.

Oz.

He He ,You are right the court summons comes up for that later, he was on his way to the Motor show at Olympia when he did some dangerous overtaking !

**Roger M** · 10-09-2018, 01:03 PM

Happy New Year

First clue that he is being sent abroad on HMS Hermes to the Shanghai Defence Force. Shanghai Defence Force - Wikipedia
Following the Xinhai Revolution in China in 1912 the country was divided between warlords. In January 1927 the British Concession in Hankou was invaded by nationalist forces undertaking their Northern Expedition which sought to unify China. Following a request from the Commander-in-Chief, China Station the Shanghai Defence Force was established under the leadership of Major-General John Duncan later that month amidst concerns that British lives and properties were at risk during the unrest in China at the time.[1] King's College was requisitioned to be the quarters and hospital for the Shanghai Defence Force from February to December 1927.[2] Royal Air Force China Command at Hong Kong was established to administer Royal Air Force units in the region.[1] Tension finally eased in August of that year[1] and troops were withdrawn towards the end of the year.

**Roger M** · 10-09-2018, 01:08 PM

Another Horse racing Phishing letter.

Clearly some sightseeing took place.

On the warcovers web.site they are advertising a letter to FC Rowland at this time
Military and Censored Postal History :: Warcovers*::*Air Force*::*1927 cover and letter GB to '440 Flight, HMS Hermes' PENANG, Malaya

HMS Hermes was the first purpose-designed aircraft carrier built for the Royal Navy and fitted with an off-centre island containing the funnel and operations spaces. Although very narrow, the island was quite long and massive for a ship this size. The island located forward of amidships made the ship trim by the bow, the weight of the off-set island also caused a list to starboard. This imbalance had to be corrected by carrying more water ballast and fuel oil in the port side and aft tanks than in the starboard side and forward tanks. It was a time of trial and error. The basic hull had been built along the lines of a light cruiser.

From 1920 until 1938 Hermes served mainly on the China Station. During 1928 and again in 1934 she received refits at Chatham.
For the rest of the story........HMS Hermes (D 95) of the Royal Navy - British Aircraft Carrier of the Hermes class - Allied Warships of WWII - uboat.net