Scene inside the WRAF (Women's Royal Air Force) Mess Hut at Cranwell, probably during the First World War. The Royal Naval Air Service Central Training Establishment Cranwell was commissioned on 1 April 1916, under the command of Commodore Godfrey M. Paine. Cranwell later became known as HMS Daedalus. In addition to flying training and airship operations, a Boys' Training Wing was also established at Cranwell. Its task was to train Naval ratings as air mechanics and riggers. With the amalgamation of the RNAS and the Royal Flying Corps on 1 April 1918, ownership of Cranwell was placed in the hands of the RAF. The former Naval base title was replaced by the designation Royal Air Force Station Cranwell.