Definition of an 'erk'

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Member for

15 years

Posts: 265

Good evening everyone.

I was chatting to a fellow enthusiast at work about all things RAF and we got on to the subject of, in my opinion, the backbone of the RAF, the 'erk'. However, we couldn't agree who exactly the term applied to. I had always thought it was any ground crew that worked on aircraft (armourers, mechanics etc) including NCO's. My colleague thought it would include anyone up to the rank of sargeant including storesmen, drivers, cooks, plotters etc, What is your opinion? Is there a definition?

Original post

Member for

19 years 1 month

Posts: 6,043

I think this was discussed on here a year or so ago...but I cannot find the thread LOL:rolleyes:

Member for

15 years

Posts: 265

Hi bazv - I searched as well but didn't find anything. I was just wondering if there is a definite answer. I am curious because I am researching my uncles RAF history. He was a sergeant and I know he was involved in building runways and bases etc. mainly in the western desert. I have some photograghs of him and others at work which I will post when I work out how to do it (I am computer illiterate). He and his friends did vital work but I had nerver thought the term erk applied because as far as I can find out he didn't work on aircraft. I am not bothered either way, I have his medals, I am proud of him. The discussion came up and I am interested in what the answer/general opinion is.

Member for

14 years 9 months

Posts: 141

I think its all 'other ranks' / 'junior ranks' below Cpl, never heard any of the sgts or cpl's referred to as erks, other things yes ;) but not 'erks' thats reserved for those of us on the lower steps...:rolleyes: that or 'Guins' bloody rocks!

Member for

24 years 2 months

Posts: 16,832

It's an abbreviation for 'Aircraftsman'

Moggy

Member for

18 years 10 months

Posts: 4,796

It's an abbreviation for 'Aircraftsman'

Moggy

Many years ago Johnny Allison was at some airshow with (IIRC) the TFC P40. He was signing something at the Officers mess & merely wrote "a/c Allison". Some Sgt behind a desk promptly tore into him about "bloody erks" not being allowed to stay at the officers mess etc where upon he reached into his bag & pulled out "The Hat" that went with being an ACM.

That's what is known as a "career limiting action":D

Member for

17 years 11 months

Posts: 552

Erk ode

Ain't feelin' quite so good today, I'm even off me beer!
Altho' they've given me 10 days leave, I still feel kinda queer,
I've had a nasty shock you see, I've lost my biggest chum,
It happened just a week ago, and better men don't come.

My pal's a famous fighter ace, DSO and DFC,
His score of Jerry buses had just reached twenty-three.
Squadron Leader Brand, the finest bloke I've met,
Him and me was really pals, that makes you smile I bet.

Him a proper English gent, public school and Oxford Blue
And me a common Cockney bloke, just an AC2.
A Spitfire fighter pilot and his rigger, that was us
The bloke who did the scrapping and me what did his bus.

A "fighting team" he said we were, altho' he'd got three rings.
"Jimmy you're all right," he said, altho' he'd got the wings.
"You're the bloke that I depend on when I'm up there in a fight,
I can't shoot 'em down unless you fix my Spitfire right."

He was always kind and thoughtful, when my missus had a kid,
He sent a wire, a bunch of flowers, as well as fifteen quid.
I told him I was grateful, said I'd make it up to him,
He gave a crooked smile and said, "You owe me nothing Jim."

I've got a pair of silver Wings, two medals on my chest,
My name's been in the papers, there's promotion and the rest.
I've got twenty-three swastikas painted on my petrol tank
For all these things it's blokes like you I've really got to thank."

The day he'd been to see the King to get his DSO
They 'ad a lovely party, all 'is friends and the CO.
But 'e got away for just a while to buy us drinks all round,
"You can't win medals in the sky with dud blokes on the ground."

"Killer" Brand they called him, the pilot of no Wing,
What a name to give a bloke who'd never harm a thing,
Except when he was chasing Huns; Blimey then he'd fight!
You see he'd lost his sister when Jerry came one night.

The girls were crazy after him, they chased him near and far,
Made his life a misery, just like a movie star.
Wouldn't have no truck with 'em, perhaps they thought him dumb,
If they did, he didn't worry, his best girl was his Mum.

A week ago last Monday, I won't forget that day,
It was cold wet and dreary, all the sky was grey.
They took off them twelve Spitfires on an early morning sweep,
Just like a hundred other days, I waved and said "God keep".

I couldn't seem to settle down the time they was away,
I seemed to have a feeling this was going to be his day.
I waited on the airfield 'til I sighted them - and then,
One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten.

I quickly checked them over, but his crate it wasn't there.
I asked the other pilots if they'd seen him bail and where?
They'd seen him crashing down in flames, "Tony's gone we fear."
I ain't feeling quite so good today - I'm even off me beer!