RAF/RAFVR service numbers WW2

[philipsearching]

Does anyone happen to know if there is a way to get a rough idea of when a person joined up from a RAF service number?

[crisane]

This site may help
https://www.arrse.co.uk/wiki/Service_Number

[philipsearching]

This site may help
https://www.arrse.co.uk/wiki/Service_Number

Many thanks for the reply.  Unfortunately ARRSEpedia (amazing name!) only deals with the Army and I am looking for RAF.

Philip

[Henry7]

This may not be much help, Philip, but when I was conscripted into the RAF in May 1952, my number was 2559xxx.  Blokes who had been in the ATC had numbers in a different series - seven digits starting with 3.

[philipsearching]

This may not be much help, Philip, but when I was conscripted into the RAF in May 1952, my number was 2559xxx.  Blokes who joined as regulars had numbers in a different series - six digits (I think) starting with 3.

Thanks for replying.

I'w working through the names on local war memorials for RAF men who died in or just after WW2.  I've got their service numbers from CWGC and tracked most of them on the 1939 register, but I'm hoping to be able to write "John joined the RAF in 1941 (or whatever year) rather than "During the war John served as Sgt Pilot 111111" (or whatever number).

It's a long shot, and there may not be anything available online.  Medals and promotions can usually be found, but I'm having no luck with joining dates.  As these men are not relatives I'm not going to attempt to get service records at £30 odd each time!

Philip

[Ruskie]

I don't know if there is anything of use here:

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/help-with-your-research/researcgh-guides/royal-air-force-personnel/
 
I think some of the links take you to pay sites like FindMyPast. I have only dabbled, but find the site difficult to use.

(I did see lists of service numbers which indicated enlistment dates, but unsure if it was the NA site or elsewhere. I'm sure someone will know. ) 

[Ruskie]

A thread here on RAF Commands which may be of interest:

http://www.rafcommands.com/forum/showthread.php?27-RAF-RAF-OR-Service-Numbers

[philipsearching]

A thread here on RAF Commands which may be of interest:

http://www.rafcommands.com/forum/showthread.php?27-RAF-RAF-OR-Service-Numbers

That looks very promising - many thanks.  I'll check it out