RAF in Malaya Family History Local History

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RAF in Malaya

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Topic: RAF in Malaya (Read 207 times)

Ermintrude46
RootsChat Senior

Posts: 355

RAF in Malaya
« on: Thursday 20 August 09 20:47 UTC (UK) »

I have my father's RAF Service and Release Book which gives his Unit/Group as 21022 AMES [Air Ministry Experimental Station]/AHQ Malaya. He was a Corporal and his trade is given as radar/mechanic which fits with the unit which was apparently a mobile radar station. However, I can't seem to find out anything about the unit and where they were/what they were doing - I've been up to Kew and they were unable to locate any information on the unit at all. Can anyone suggest any other sources of info I could try to get a picture of what he was doing/what was happening where he was?
Ermy


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kyt
RootsChat Veteran

Posts: 783

www.cfww2.com Commonwealth Forces of WW2

Re: RAF in Malaya
« Reply #1 on: Friday 21 August 09 18:53 UTC (UK) »

Hi Ermy

I am disappointed (though not surprised in the current cost cutting climate) that Kew couldn't help you, especially as the file is available:

You don't say when he served with the unit but I believe it would have been postwar as you mention AHQ Malaya (formed 1945)

Anyway:

Operations Records Book 1946 to 1950 for 21022 AMES is file AIR 29/1941

K


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kyt
RootsChat Veteran

Posts: 783

www.cfww2.com Commonwealth Forces of WW2

Re: RAF in Malaya
« Reply #2 on: Friday 21 August 09 20:26 UTC (UK) »

And:

http://www.radarpages.co.uk/oral/scanlan/cmr/scanlan14.htm

Quote

...... I was appointed as CO of AMES (Air Ministry Experimental Station) 21022....In December, 1945, AMES 21022, complete with about 40 men and eight to ten vehicles, sailed from Madras to Singapore, in good time for Christmas. The convoy was eventually parked at Paya Labor, together with hundreds of other vehicles on what had been an airfield. It was impossible to run the radar in such tightly-packed conditions, since we found that the mixer crystals were immediately burnt-out by reflections from adjacent vehicles. The men (and their CO) rapidly became bored of this regime; the only reasonable aim was to be demobilized and sent back to England as soon as possible. I managed this in May, 1946: my radar career in the RAE was over.

Read the rest at the link


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Ermintrude46
RootsChat Senior

Posts: 355

Re: RAF in Malaya
« Reply #3 on: Friday 21 August 09 21:15 UTC (UK) »

Hi kyt,
Thanks for the replies, I did Google before posting and there were so few results I was quite taken aback, not a googlewhack but not far off! Sorry, should have said, my dad's service dates were 02/04/1941 to 12/06/1946, which is tantalisingly just within the file dates at Kew (1946 June - 1950 Dec) but only just, probably he was on the boat home at the point the records start (just my luck)! Wonder if the unit was top secret or something and info still classified?
Ermy


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kyt
RootsChat Veteran

Posts: 783

www.cfww2.com Commonwealth Forces of WW2

Re: RAF in Malaya
« Reply #4 on: Friday 21 August 09 21:20 UTC (UK) »

At the time it would have been secret but details should be available now. His last unit is a very high numbered one and so it is highly unlikely that that was the unit he served in during most of the war. Though I don't have a complete list of AMES units, I believe this was created close to the end of the war.

Do you have his service records? They would help

K


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Ermintrude46
RootsChat Senior

Posts: 355

Re: RAF in Malaya
« Reply #5 on: Friday 21 August 09 21:44 UTC (UK) »

No, I've been debating sending off for them but had seen a couple of posts on another board which said they had received very little info so was a bit put off and haven't got round to it yet - do you think it would be worthwhile or is it pot luck?
Ermy


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kyt
RootsChat Veteran

Posts: 783

www.cfww2.com Commonwealth Forces of WW2

Re: RAF in Malaya
« Reply #6 on: Friday 21 August 09 21:49 UTC (UK) »

I think it is always a good investment because without it one gropes in the dark. But make sure to request photocopies of the original file. Otherwise they usually send a typed summary of little practical use.

Once you receive it we can help in deciphering and looking for more info.

K


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Ermintrude46
RootsChat Senior

Posts: 355

Re: RAF in Malaya
« Reply #7 on: Friday 21 August 09 21:59 UTC (UK) »

Thanks for the tip, I was wondering what exactly to put in "State clearly the information you require" box - this is almost a trick question as how can you know what to ask for unless you know what they have got! Will send off the form at the weekend and see what comes back.
Ermy


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grandarog
RootsChat Veteran

Posts: 694

Grand Dad x 99 !!

Re: RAF in Malaya
« Reply #8 on: Monday 24 August 09 10:52 UTC (UK) »

I should think "ALL" would be appropriate in the question box.
Rog


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