Tracing former RAF servicemen

[TobyV]

Hi all, bit of a strange request, does anyone know if there are any online databases or other ways of tracing or finding the service histories of former members of the RAF?

When I was a child, my grandparents had a holiday home in Cornwall and next door lived a retired couple and the guy had been on Lancasters (not sure in what capacity, have a feeling navigator/radio operator or bomber rather than pilot but I could be wrong) who kindled my interest in aviation and gave me my first big "serious" book on the subject, aptly called "Aviation" by Christopher Chant.

I know his name and where he was living (circa 1990), but pretty much nothing else. I guess if he were/is still alive somewhere, he'd be getting on for 100 now.

A bit of googling has turned up someone with the same name, who might have been in 50Sqn. Next to the name are two numbers, a six digit number and a 5 digit number. Any current or former RAF personnel on here who could explain how the numbering works?

thanks

Toby

[cstorey]

Toby : this is not a definitive pronouncement, but..... the 5 figure number is almost certainly his number if he was commissioned . Those who started in what became the RAFVR had 5 figure service numbers. They started in c.1935 with numbers beginning with 3, and moved on to 4s by about 1939, with something like 47... being reached by those commissioned in 1942. I am making an assumption, but if there is a 6 figure number also, ( probably beginning with a 7) that is probably a previous NCO number. If, on the other hand , it begins with a 1 that also could be an RAFVR commission number of a later date . The allocation of numbers may have had a reason, but I do not know what it was, although it does appear that "regular" general duties commissions were 5 figure numbers which started with a 1 or 2, balloon commissions with a 9 and medical branch with a 7 . Those who transferred from other branches of the services such as the Royal Tank regiment or the South African Air Force also had out of sequence numbers . You can check for his commission by searching for the name , number and using the word "gazette" in the search terms. BTW, use only initials and not first names as this does not work for the Gazette

[Motormouse]

And by the time I got my NCO number, it was up to 8 digits long.

But thats digressing... You can also check the national archives, IIRC there is a fee for the check now, so make sure you have as much information as possible ; the private run forces war records will also do the same.

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/help ... personnel/

Ttfn

Pete

[Archer]

You might be able to get something through the RAF Air Historical Branch. I think they can provide service records but I don't know if anyone can obtain these.

[petermcleland]

You could search The London Gazette...Especially with a service number...It covers all promotions and postings etc...I've got all mine printed out...Joining with start date, promotions, award of Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air, Transfer from 8 years to 12 years, transfer to reserve at end of service and relinquished commission and retained rank. You could also search with Name and initials but the service number is easiest...Sometimes a search with the name and initials will find you an entry and that will then give you his service number to continue the search.

[TobyV]

Thanks for the all the info guys.

Peter - I have indeed already found something in the London Gazette. If I have the right person, he was Mentioned in Despatches in October 1955. I only remember him saying he flew (quite a few/more than most) times to Germany in a Lancaster during WWII, but it would seem, if it's the same person, he might have been involved in operations against the Mau Mau uprising in Kenya over 10 years later