Training Courses

From 18 July 1941 to 13 July 1945, eleven male officers' forecasting courses were completed. During 1943, selected personnel of commissioned and noncommissioned ranks were trained in the use and operation of radiosonde which had become available. Mainly because of careful selection, failure rates in courses were low, most being in the forecasting and radiosonde courses. These courses were rigorously searching, and had to be completed in a restricted period, far shorter than would have been the case in peace time. Assessment was usually terse and to the point. For example:

'Pilot Officer . . . has a high standard of proficiency in the work and will make a good operator. Pilot Officer . . . has completed the training course, but is not considered a satisfactory radiosonde operator, and is not recommended as a suitable person to be in charge of radiosonde flights. His interest is slight and attention to detail very poor. Although very capable, has little pride in his work which is of low standard unless constantly supervised!'[24]

During their service, some Meteorological Assistants—usually of the rank of Warrant Officer or Sergeant—undertook courses, and qualified as forecasters. Training was a serious matter, but in a situation where many young men and women came together, tension and tedium were most likely to be relieved by humorous incidents. As an instructor in the training section for a period, I can recall occasions when the lighter side of life only seemed to revitalise the general enthusiasm that characterised these trainees.

Bureau of Meteorology