RootsChat.Com

General => Armed Forces => World War Two => Topic started by: kiwicatz on Tuesday 13 October 09 09:51 BST (UK)

Title: WAAF Service - World War II - Completed
Post by: kiwicatz on Tuesday 13 October 09 09:51 BST (UK)

My aunt served during WWII, and I have a photo of her in uniform (attached if it works!) How can I find out more about her war service??
Regards
Jan Moon - currently in London!!

Title: Re: WAAF Service - World War II
Post by: Flakdodger on Tuesday 13 October 09 22:35 BST (UK)

Hi Jan,
you can apply for your aunt's service record.
Go to http://www.veterans-uk.info/service_records/service_records.html  you will bring up further details by clicking on the Royal Air Force logo.
Note that there is a non-returnable fee of £30.00
Cheers
Dave

Title: Re: WAAF Service - World War II
Post by: kiwicatz on Wednesday 14 October 09 09:56 BST (UK)

Thanks for that.
I know very little about Doris. Her sister (my mum) moved to NZ after the war, and although they always kept in touch, I have no idea of dates or anything else - and she died before I got interested in family history, so any ideas where to start??

Title: Re: WAAF Service - World War II
Post by: Flakdodger on Wednesday 14 October 09 20:37 BST (UK)

Hoping you know Doris's surname,  you could search for her birth on http://freebmd.rootsweb.com/cgi/search.pl that would at least give you the bare bones for the RAF to search on.
Dave

Title: Re: WAAF Service - World War II
Post by: kyt on Friday 16 October 09 04:56 BST (UK)

Hi Jan

just one point - if your Aunt married and had children then you won't be entitled to apply for her records as you aren't the closest NoK. Hre children and grandchildren would hold precedance. 

Just thought I'd mention that to save you the hassle later on.

K

Title: Re: WAAF Service - World War II
Post by: Scarletwoman on Friday 16 October 09 07:45 BST (UK)

And just to point out that for those who have an interest, but not the right connections or enough money, these records will eventually be transferred into the public domain.  No date yet, but believed to be around 2015 for those serving up to the end of the Second World War.  And time flies  8)

Sue

Title: Re: WAAF Service - World War II
Post by: kiwicatz on Saturday 17 October 09 23:30 BST (UK)

Quote from: Flakdodger on Wednesday 14 October 09 20:37 BST (UK)

Hoping you know Doris's surname,  you could search for her birth on http://freebmd.rootsweb.com/cgi/search.pl that would at least give you the bare bones for the RAF to search on.
Dave

Hello Dave
I know her date of birth and the date she died. I know she had no children. But that's it.
regards
jan

Title: Re: WAAF Service - World War II
Post by: DeeBoneham on Friday 13 November 09 13:49 GMT (UK)

Hi

If you prefer to write the address is as following:

RAF 3rd Party Disclosures
Room 221b
Trenchard Hall
RAF Cranwell
Sleaford
NG34 8HB

The people who staff the area are very good and will reply very quickly.  If you Aunt was awarded any medals you may once you have those records apply for them via the Medals office (another different address).

Dee

Title: Re: WAAF Service - World War II
Post by: kiwicatz on Sunday 29 November 09 12:43 GMT (UK)

Thanks for that Dee. I will write. Funnily enough I was in Sleaford about 4 weeks ago, I have lots of my father's family who were from there.
Much appreciate your help.
Regards
Jan (going home to Australia soon)

Title: Re: WAAF Service - World War II
Post by: DeeBoneham on Tuesday 01 December 09 15:40 GMT (UK)

Jan

Glad to be of help.  Good luck with the rest of your search

Good luck with your search.  If you are interested in what life was like for her there is a lovely book by a lady called Pip Beck that you can buy from book shops online (ie amazon) as it is in current print. I cant remember the title but if you put the authors name in it should come up with it.  There are others too but I have only read that one so far.  Still reading my bomber command books!

Dee

Title: Re: WAAF Service - World War II
Post by: kiwicatz on Friday 01 January 10 10:43 GMT (UK)

Thanks Dee
Will look for it, a change from my usual read about nurses in the war theatre.

Title: Re: WAAF Service - World War II
Post by: DeeBoneham on Monday 04 January 10 09:44 GMT (UK)

Hi there

Hope someone bought you Pips book for Xmas!  Another book that you might be interested in is the history of the WAAF by Sqn Ldr Beryl Escott.  I got a 2nd hand copy from Amazon and there is some fascinating stuff in it which explains some of the stuff in Pips book.

Dee

Title: Re: WAAF Service - World War II - Completed
Post by: kiwicatz on Friday 16 April 10 10:31 BST (UK)

I did get the book for (a belated) Xmas, and am currently driving my ocal library nut. Haven't found out much about Aunties Doris, but have learnt a lot.
Thanks

Title: Re: WAAF Service - World War II
Post by: WelwynGC1 on Friday 16 April 10 11:23 BST (UK)

Quote from: DeeBoneham on Tuesday 01 December 09 15:40 GMT (UK)

Jan

Glad to be of help.  Good luck with the rest of your search

Good luck with your search.  If you are interested in what life was like for her there is a lovely book by a lady called Pip Beck that you can buy from book shops online (ie amazon) as it is in current print. I cant remember the title but if you put the authors name in it should come up with it.  There are others too but I have only read that one so far.  Still reading my bomber command books!




Dee

Hi Dee and Jan.......for reference for anyone else who wants to know, its called.........

KEEPING WATCH   A WAAF IN BOMBER COMMAND    And very good it is too.

Steve.

Title: Re: WAAF Service - World War II
Post by: DeeBoneham on Friday 16 April 10 13:37 BST (UK)

Thats the one well done  :)
Dee