Thread: Can You help

Suey · 18-12-2005, 02:04 PM

Can anyone tell me how you can find out when someone Joined the R.A.F, This could either be before WW2 or During WW2.

Thankyou

Sueyxx

Starlight · 19-12-2005, 02:10 AM

Hi Suey,

Most of the records relating to military service are held at the PRO Kew (National Archives).Various archives are held covering the Home Office, Foreign Office, War Office, Army, Royal Navy, merchant navy, Royal Air Force, etc. You are now able to search records on-line. I will add the address to links and tips forum.

Suey · 20-12-2005, 04:52 AM

Hi Star,

Thank you Star for replying to my question, here is a little tit bit of info if anyone else is looking for a relative lost in the RAF

Most Airforce men if their planes and they are lost without trace then their records are locked with my Uncles and others I assume like him they cannot be opened looked at or whatever for he next 75 years so I am hoping desperately that he joined before the War.

Sueyxx

ghost · 21-12-2005, 12:40 PM

Hi Suey
You could try The RAF Museum @ Hendon Phone No 0208 2052266.
Web site rafmuseum.org.uk/london/research/index.cfm
Have not used them myself yet, but have found RM Museum @ Portsmouth & RNAS Museum @ Yeovilton both very helpful.

Best of luck with your search
GHOST

Suey · 21-12-2005, 05:05 PM

Thank you for the number and addy I will check them out.

Sueyxx

mollie · 31-01-2006, 07:52 PM

Suey have you tried this one I don't know if it will be much help to you but there are a few addresses that you can try on this site

http://www.worldwar2exraf.co.uk/useful%20addresses%20page%201.htm

Suey · 11-02-2006, 10:22 AM

Thanks Molliexx

Sueyxx

pakeha tangata · 31-01-2007, 01:12 PM

Hi Suey,
I don't know if this will of help to you but it may be of interest to others who follow this thread.

Four years ago I managed to get a photocopy of my dad's RAF service record. Dad joined up during the war and survived to continue service for a while after. I obtained the info' from: The R.A.F. Personnel Management Agency, R.A.F. Innsworth, Gloucester GL3 1EZ.
I had to complete a next of kin form (actually, my mum did that bit) and send a search fee of £25. I was able to give them my dad's service number and squadron.

The record I received told me much that I hadn't known although it was sketchy - 2 sides of an approx. A3 form - probably the folder that once contained much more information. They did apologise that it contained very little detail and advised me to try the Air Historical Branch at G1, Bldg 266, RAF Bentley Priory, Stanmore, Middlesex HA7 3HH. They, at Bentley Priory, hold records pertaining to crashes, missions, units & aircraft used &, I was told, do not charge for info'. However, they, in turn, informed me that they had no other info' than I'd received already.

The little bit of information I have about dad's missions I got from my own searching at the National Archives, Kew.

Good luck with your research,
Regards,
Alan

18-12-2005, 02:04 PM	#1 (permalink)
Suey AA SUPPORTER Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 886 Total Awards: 2	Can You help Can anyone tell me how you can find out when someone Joined the R.A.F, This could either be before WW2 or During WW2. Thankyou Sueyxx
	*You Don't have to be mad to know me, But it helps.*

19-12-2005, 02:10 AM	#2 (permalink)
Starlight Ancestry Aid Manager Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: South Essex Posts: 15,767 Total Awards: 8	Hi Suey, Most of the records relating to military service are held at the PRO Kew (National Archives).Various archives are held covering the Home Office, Foreign Office, War Office, Army, Royal Navy, merchant navy, Royal Air Force, etc. You are now able to search records on-line. I will add the address to links and tips forum. Last edited by Starlight; 19-12-2005 at 02:16 AM.
	Starlight Ancestry Aid Manager Hampshire:- Barks, Bartholomew, Carpenter, Cousens, Cousins, Dumper, Gallagher, Goodchild, Glasspool, Hoskins, Light, Mason, Monday, Mundy, Pearce, Pitt, Shepherd, Spreadbury, Staniford, Terrill, Thornton, Warne, Webb, Woodford & many more. Top Tip: Use the forum search engine

20-12-2005, 04:52 AM	#3 (permalink)
Suey AA SUPPORTER Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 886 Total Awards: 2	Hi Star, Thank you Star for replying to my question, here is a little tit bit of info if anyone else is looking for a relative lost in the RAF Most Airforce men if their planes and they are lost without trace then their records are locked with my Uncles and others I assume like him they cannot be opened looked at or whatever for he next 75 years so I am hoping desperately that he joined before the War. Sueyxx
	*You Don't have to be mad to know me, But it helps.*

21-12-2005, 05:05 PM	#5 (permalink)
Suey AA SUPPORTER Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 886 Total Awards: 2	Thank you for the number and addy I will check them out. Sueyxx
	*You Don't have to be mad to know me, But it helps.*

31-01-2006, 07:52 PM	#6 (permalink)
mollie Ancestry Aid Staff Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Isle of Man Posts: 1,683 Total Awards: 2	*Suey have you tried this one I don't know if it will be much help to you but there are a few addresses that you can try on this site* *http://www.worldwar2exraf.co.uk/useful%20addresses%20page%201.htm*
	Mollie Ancestry Aid Moderator The UK's No 1 For Genealogy & Family History. Top Tip: Use the forum search page to find surnames!!. Dunne,McManus, McCann,O'Dowd, Higgins, Smith, Traynor, O'Byrne, Lamond/t Henry/Nicolson/Bowman/McCafferty/Keelan and more....did I say Smith...oh yes I did...we all have one.........lol

21-12-2005, 12:40 PM	#4 (permalink)
ghost Regular Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Plymouth Posts: 34	Hi Suey You could try The RAF Museum @ Hendon Phone No 0208 2052266. Web site rafmuseum.org.uk/london/research/index.cfm Have not used them myself yet, but have found RM Museum @ Portsmouth & RNAS Museum @ Yeovilton both very helpful. Best of luck with your search GHOST

11-02-2006, 10:22 AM	#7 (permalink)
Suey AA SUPPORTER Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 886 Total Awards: 2	Thanks Molliexx Sueyxx
	*You Don't have to be mad to know me, But it helps.*

31-01-2007, 01:12 PM	#8 (permalink)
pakeha tangata Committed Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: North Yorkshire Posts: 92	Re: Can You help Hi Suey, I don't know if this will of help to you but it may be of interest to others who follow this thread. Four years ago I managed to get a photocopy of my dad's RAF service record. Dad joined up during the war and survived to continue service for a while after. I obtained the info' from: The R.A.F. Personnel Management Agency, R.A.F. Innsworth, Gloucester GL3 1EZ. I had to complete a next of kin form (actually, my mum did that bit) and send a search fee of £25. I was able to give them my dad's service number and squadron. The record I received told me much that I hadn't known although it was sketchy - 2 sides of an approx. A3 form - probably the folder that once contained much more information. They did apologise that it contained very little detail and advised me to try the Air Historical Branch at G1, Bldg 266, RAF Bentley Priory, Stanmore, Middlesex HA7 3HH. They, at Bentley Priory, hold records pertaining to crashes, missions, units & aircraft used &, I was told, do not charge for info'. However, they, in turn, informed me that they had no other info' than I'd received already. The little bit of information I have about dad's missions I got from my own searching at the National Archives, Kew. Good luck with your research, Regards, Alan
	All the best.....Al Name interests: Cradock (Wilts/London/Middx/Surrey), Heather (London/Middx/Surrey), Croucher (Kent/London), Cargan (Ireland/Durham/Yorkshire), Terry (Kent) & Lawrence (London/Middx)