At first he was turned down by the RAF but, determined to join the Royal Air Force, he overcame his physical limitations and was accepted and sent to No. 2 School of Technical Training to join No 1 Squadron of Cranwell Aircraft Apprentices.
Pada awalnya ia ditolak oleh RAF tetapi bertekad untuk bergabung dengan Royal Air Force, ia mengatasi keterbatasan fisik dan diterima dan dikirim ke Sekolah Pelatihan Teknis untuk bergabung di Skuadron Pesawat Cranwell Apprentices.