RootsChat.Com
General => Armed Forces => World War Two => Topic started by: Susie C on Tuesday 25 August 09 17:06 BST (UK)
-
Hi
I am wondering if someone may be able to help me? My grandfather served with the RAF during WW2 but was sent to India. I wasn't aware that India was involved in the war and would be grateful if anyone could tell me more about what he would have being doing there?
Many thanks
Susie
-
India not only contributed over 2 million men and women to the services but India was the main staging post for the fighting in Burma.
Have you any more details about your grandfather? One of my interests is the RAF and RIAF and will see what I can do. Details like name, unit, period of service etc would all be of help
K
-
Hi, Sorry to butt in on your topic, but I am also searching for any information on my grandfather, who flew on Wellingtons out of India over Burma, His name was Arthur Westwood, he joined the raf in 1942 I think, and served in india untill the end of the war, I would like to know Squadron he was in, Airfields he flew from etc...
I look forward to any help and information.
Benn
-
Ben & Susie
This was on a website: In the Far East, too, Wellingtons served as bombers with No.225 Group in India, Mk ICs of No.215 Squadron flying their first operational sortie on 23 April 1942. Equipped later with Wellington Xs, Nos. 99 and 215 Squadrons continued to bomb Japanese bases and communications until replaced by Liberators in late 1944, when the Wellington units were released for transport duties.
99 Sqn Assn http://mainly99.users.btopenworld.com/
215 dont have an assn but try http://www.rquirk.com/215.html
Be warned it will become an obsession!!!!
Dee :)
-
Oops forgot a bit. If you are the closest living family you can apply for their service records via www.veterans-uk.info/service_records/service_records.htm
Hope this helps
Dee
-
Hi
99 Sqn were based at Ambala 06/06/42 to 19/09/42 then Pandaveswar till 25/10/42 then Digri till 12/04/43 then Chaklala till 23/05/43 then Jessore till 26/09/44 then Dhubablia till they moved till the Cocos Isles on 14/07/45 where they stayed till they moved back to the UK in Nov 1945. They had Wellingtons till 1943 then moved over to Liberators till 1945 then Yorks. Nicknamed the Madras Presidency Sqn.
215 Sqn Left for india 12/02/42 and were based at Asansol till 17/04/42 then Pandaveswar till 18/08/42 then St Thomas Mount till 13/10/42 then Chaklala till 12/03/43 then Jessore till 17/09/43 then Digri till28/12/44 then Dhubalia till 05/05/45 then Tulihal til 01/06/45 then Basal till 09/07/45 then Patenga 19/08/45 then Hmawbi till 23/10/45 then Kallang&Kai Tak till 01/08/47 then Kabrit till they returned to UK in May 1948. They had Wellingtons till 1944 then moved to Liberators then Dakotas in 1945. No Sqn nicknames.
Just as a matter of interest 75 (NZ) Sqn was formed out of one of 215 Sqn in 1939 so 215 Sqns early life is of interest to me from that angle. This information came from a book called The Squadrons of the Royal Air Force by James J Halley. Its an out of print book but if anyone else has any sqn queries I would be happy to look up information for them.....
Dee :)
-
Hi Dee,
I spotted your item on RAF in India in WW2 and am interested in the item on 215 Squadron.
I have been extracting crew information from the squadrons records to use on the Liberator site "www.rafb24.com" - I am looking after the 215 Squadron section of the site.
I did not realise that a New Zealond squadron was formed from 215 so would be interested in any information you may have. Quite a few New Zealanders flew with the Squadron during its time in India (my Dad was a Wireless Operator with 215) including my Dads pilot during his time on Wellingtons (pilots name was Jim Ross)
regards
Brian
-
If you want lots of information about NZ aircrew there is a guy on RAF commands forum who wrote For Your Tomorrow which lists details about all NZ guys in second world war. I am picking his book up in March when I go to NZ so will have it after that if you need.... Cant remember his name at moment but rack my brain and come back to you but if you put a thread on he will no doubt pick it up....
Dee
-
Just remembered his name. Errol Martyn... Fab chap
Dee
-
Thanks Dee I will investigate further
Brian
-
I have just joined this forum. My dad was in the RAF as was my mum they met at RAF Lossiemouth.My dad was in India, he recently passed away aged 91.
-
I knew an air commodore turowicz in Karachi in the early 60s. Hr was a
d Pakistani national employed by PAF but originally polish. It is conceivable he was posted with the RAF during WW2. sandra
-
Hi liverbird5
Do you know which squadron your dad served with, was he air crew or ground crew. Which part of India was he posted?
Brian
-
Hi Brian, not sure which squadron my dad was in. He told us he was in Calcutta as a driver.
-
Hi liverbird5,
Calcutta was at the centre of many airfields and squadrons at that time so not much info can be gleaned from this.
If you wish to find out more about your dads RAF service and where he was posted you can apply for his service records. Although they only give you brief details it will give you dates and squadrons he was posted with. The link to apply for the records is below
www.veterans-uk.info/service_records/service_records.html (http://www.veterans-uk.info/service_records/service_records.html)
I believe that they will cost you about £30 but if your mother is still alive you can apply for them on her behalf and they are free.
Good luck
Brian
-
To Brian,Thank you for that information, mum is still alive she is 90 now.
-
Dear all… I wonder if anyone can help. I recently moved to HK and wish to travel to Burma, where my Grandfather served with the RAF during WW2. I know that he was involved in the Battle of Imphal and that Colonel Slim was his big bass.
My Father has given me details from his service card, his Parent Unit number and his Serial number.
We even have a photo of him watching a football match in Calcutta, from a paper cutting.
Can someone advice me as to how I can find out more information please?
-
Hi g2shoes
welcome to RC
See reply 14 above.
have a look at this site
http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/battle_imphal_1944.htm
Yours Aye
BruceL
-
Hi g2shoes,
I agree with bleckie to apply for your fathers service records. If he was in the RAF would he be commanded by Colonel Slim, who was in the army? Unless Slim commanded all the forces, both army and airforce.
If you obtain the Squadrons your dad was attached to you could have a look at the site rafb24.com which has details of most of the squadrons that served in India and Burma (including some photos of personnel).
good luck - let us know how you get on
regards
Brian
-
To Brian,Thank you for that information, mum is still alive she is 90 now.
Hi Liverbird5
Did your mum get his service record? Is there any queries that we can help you with :)
Dee
-
Dear all… I wonder if anyone can help. I recently moved to HK and wish to travel to Burma, where my Grandfather served with the RAF during WW2. I know that he was involved in the Battle of Imphal and that Colonel Slim was his big bass.
My Father has given me details from his service card, his Parent Unit number and his Serial number.
We even have a photo of him watching a football match in Calcutta, from a paper cutting.
Can someone advice me as to how I can find out more information please?
I believe General Slim was the area commander so he would have been in charge of all the military units in his area then would have commanders for each unit within that. Parent unit could have been a non sqn one as at that point some of them just had landing ground numbers. you might like to try www.rafcommands.com/forum as there are some experts on there :)
Dee
-
Hi dee,not yet every time we try and get more info it upsets mum, after 69 years she still misses him.:-)
-
Bless her. I can understand her getting upset. You could ask them anyway but just keep it to yourself if they give you more information :)
Dee
-
Hi Dee
Can you help with my father in law he served in the RAF in Burma / India in WW2 and according to family legend was taken prisoner of war. He was not a flyer but served in some kind of Telecommunications unit and was taken prisoner whilst setting up before the main lot arrived
His name was James Notman born 14/11/1921 in Midlothian Scotland. We understand that his service number was 1346992
He married a polish nurse in 1945 in Bombay, India and we have a picture of him in his uniform on his wedding day
Sadly he died in 1980 and would never speak about his experiences during the war
Hope you maybe able to help
-
Hi richp1902
welcome to Roots.
For the best information see reply 14 on page 2 of this post.
There is a cost involved and a wait of a couple of months but this is the only way you will get the information as his service records will still be held by the MOD unless someone on this board has first hand knowledge. of your father in law.
Yours Aye
BruceL
-
Can not find him in the RAF Far East POW list.
-
ADM199 might be able to help you. He has been scanning (using a camera) all the FEPOW records as quickly as he can. Has a real interest and expertise :)
Dee
-
Thanks to all who have responded
My wife and I got the forms for getting the service records though we need to get a copy of her father's (James Notman) death certificate to prove he is dead so that we can get the full service records.
As I mentioned my wife's father died in 1980 when she was only 7 years old and her mother would never speak about his WW2 times and she has now passed away a year ago still refusing to speak about it.
The POW story may not be true as stories get 'enhanced' over time LOL :)
We do know for a fact that he was in India in September 1945 as he got married to Mary Lisiewich who we understand to be a polish nurse (not my mother in law) but James first wife.
My wife has a step brother who she thought was an uncle as she knew him when she was a child but found out within last 7 years his true identity but she does not know where he lives or even if he is alive. She would like to make contact with him as he would probably have lots of info about their father.
-
Hi, I was hoping some of you may be able to help.
I am trying to find some information on my granddad who served in 225 group during the war.
The information we have of him so far is:
Name: Donald Rushforth
enlisted July 1943 and entered service 15th Oct 1943
He demobbed 16th Nov 1947
He was a Wireless operator with Rank A.C.1
His service number was 3040930
I remember he once told me he parachuted and he seems to have been to Chaklala in India in Aug 1945 where he received his wings - but we don't know if he will have parachuted after this or not?
we also have some photos that seem to show a journey from Guwahati to Quetta in Febuary 1945 but we are unsure why. My mum seems to think he got malaria at some point? would this explain his journey?
We have a photo of him in Burma dated October 1945 also.
we have a photo of him in Mumbai but we are unsure when this was taken and why he was in Mumbai
We also have a photo of his in Iwakuni in Japan at christmas time 1946
He also seems to have had some friends called Paddy May, Paddy Bowan, Bill Price (from Halifax) and Kenneth Bains
As such that is all I know about him and know nothing about what he actually did in the war, why he did his parachute training or whether he ever used it in action. If anyone knows anything about what he is likely to have done during the war or why he turned up in the places we have photos of him that would be great.
Thank you in advance!
Joe
-
Hi Joe,
I can't tell you much but my fathers experience may help. My father, Jack Johnson, was also a wireless operator and he was with 215 Squadron stationed in India. He had some leave to get married in June 1945 but when he returned to India the squadron had moved and the war was over, so he was sent to Burma to help with the sending of British RAF personnel back to the UK.
He was based in Rangoon before returning to the UK in June 1946.
My dad was also ill, with yellow jaundice and was sent "into the hills" to recouperate. This was in the Darjeeling (I think)area of India.
Perhaps if you upload some of the photos someone may be able to recognise the people or places.
I hope this helps
Regards
Brian
-
Hi Brian thanks for your reply.
I've attached some photos of when he was in India (and I think one of Kure in Japan). Also he has a lot of photos of these boats which I'm not sure what they are or where this base is.
If anyone recognises any places or faces I'd love to hear from you.
Thanks
PS. had to upload photos separately due to file size
-
Additional photos
-
Additional photos
-
Additional photos
-
Hi Joe,
Some great photos, but none that I recognise. There is not a lot to go on except maybe the number on one of the boats 2705.
Have you applied for your grandfathers service records ? They do not contain a huge amount of information but at least tell you where and when he was posted. If you need details on how to do this let me know.
Going back to the photos - try looking at the photos on RAFB24.com it's a long shot but you might find something that ties up with your photos. I have posted my dad's photos there and have found quite a bit info from the site. Admittedly the site mainly deals with Liberator squadrons but you never know.
Do you know the squadron your grandfather was attached to - that can help in any search
Hope that helps
Regards
Brian
-
Hi guys not been on here lately. Sad news mum passed away 25 th May. . Funeral Wednesday 11 th june.
-
Hi guys not been on here lately. Sad news mum passed away 25 th May. . Funeral Wednesday 11 th june.
Sad news for you. Please do keep looking though so you can satisfy your curiousity...and your mum will be watching over you. You might look on RAFWEB site for information. There is some basic information on their public pages and then if you register as a member I think there is some more http://www.rafweb.org/Grp07.htm
Hope it helps.
Dee
-
Dee,thanks we will keep looking mum and dad are both keeping an eye over us now. Mums funeral was very emotional. A Welsh theme as she was born in the Rhondda valleys.
-
She will be watching over you while you do your research and I hope the sychronicity that often happens starts to work for you :)
Dee
-
Attn Shippjoe
I showed the photos of the two boats and the group you posted at Reply 30 to a volunteer at the RAF Air Sea Rescue Museum, based at the Norfolk and Suffolk Aviation Museum in Suffolk http://www.aviationmuseum.net/AirSeaRescue.htm
He states that 2705 is a 68ft ASR launch, Hants & Dorset class built by British Power Boats in the UK 6/7/43. She was struck off charge in May 1949 in the Far East. These vessels had a crew of 8/9 and were powered by 3 Napier Sea Lion engines giving a cruising speed of 27kts. 2705 was operated by 238 Maintenance Unit and 241 Air Sea Resue Unit at Jiwani India.. The photo shows the vessel is armed so the photo is likely to have been taken around the end of WW2
The second vessel with the large 4 on the stern could also be 2705. The 4 was an aircraft recognition number. This picture also shows the vessel has gun turrets.
The group again is likely to be 1945 or a little later. Some of the personnel are wearing medal ribbons and one on the extreme right wears a beret neither of which were common until after hostilities ceased.
If you get the chance the ASR Museum is well worth a visit.
-
Hi, like a number of other queries, I am trying to find information about my father - Judah (Jack) Yeshin, who was stationed in India during WW2. I understand that he was based around Calcutta and served as a Medical Orderly. Family photos show him with the Himalayas in the background and, separately, on a white horse. I will be visiting Calcutta at the end of this year and would very much like to visit the area where he was based. Any information that might help will be very gratefully received.
Tony Y
-
Hi Tony,
If he was based near Calcutta, there were quite a few RAF airbases at that time.
I know from my fathers postings that Jessore, Digri, Dhubalia and Salbini were bomber airfields.
I enclose a map showing WW2 airfields with the ones around Calcutta shown in more detail.
I hope this helps, let us know if you find any more details about your father.
Regards
Brian
-
My late Grandad served somewhere in India with R.A.F., maintaining Spits & Hurri's, not sure which sqn, his name was Denis Cowlard, came from Croydon, Sth London :)
Any help, greatly appreciated :)
-
Tim have you obtained his service records as it is likely to tell you which Sqns etc he served with?
Dee
-
Hello, this is my first time using this so please bear with me
I am trying to find out any information about my father, who served with the
RAF in India and Burma. This is the information I have In his Service book
Corporal Colin McGlinchey, 1199017 Driver, Mech, Transport R.A.F.V.R from 6/2/41 to 22/5//46
Overseas service:- India 17/3/42 to 19/2/46
1939 Star Burma Star
At the bottom I think it says Westwood Wing Commander
I hope someone can help me find out some more information regarding my late father
Thanks, Danny
-
Welcome to Rootschat.
You can get apply for your father's service records which will still be with the MOD, there is a charge of £30, you will find the necessary forms on the website.
https://www.gov.uk/get-copy-military-service-records
-
My grandfather was a wireless operator on a Wellington and based in India too he also spent some time up in Scotland and all he has ever said is that on some flights they would trail a 100 foot length of cable behind them and they'd occasionally forget to reel it back in when landing causing it to whip across the landing strip, he either cannot because of the official secrets act or just doesn't talk about it, im guessing its something to do with radio or early radar...... Ive No idea, weve tried getting his official military records but to no avail. I would very much appreciate it if anyone knows anything about it as im at a complete dead end... His Name is John Spurling rank of (warrant officer).
Many thanks.
-
The 100 ft cable would be an HF (high frequency) radio antenna. This would enable the aircraft to communicate over very long distances. From the target area for a bomber, back to the headquarters base for example.
Added: welcome to rootschat shaun
-
Thanks kindly..
I did think it was to do with comms but he doesn't ever speak about it, its just that generation I guess pluss hes 93, he says he cant remember his serial number or squadron but I find that a little hard to believe, I do have his Warrant officer wrist badge which does have some very faint writing on the back of it, I'll be buying an eye loupe then...lol.
Much obliged.
-
Hello, im hoping someone may be able to help me? I know absoultely nothing about my Granpa's role in India as he would never talk about it. He used to call himself a 'pen pusher' and i have a vague (possibly inaccurate) memory of him having something to do with codes? He was always very upset about it so we never heard about or understood what he did, even my Grandma. His name was Geoffrey Cyril Butler, and possibly lived in the Doncaster area at the time. I haven't been able to find anything about him on the net so any info you have, or can point me to would be great! Thanks!
-
Hello Brian1949,
What is the source of your map that shows the Allied airfields in India ?
Also, when would that have been dated ?
Regards,
JMB
-
Hi
Just found this forum and wonder if anyone can help. My dad and his brother were both in the RAF, my uncle was in the India Bomber command the only clue I have to this information is a small Christmas greetings paper dated November 1943 he sent this to dad from were he was stationed, across the bottom in pencil the word APROLON has been added dose anyone know what this means
Thank you
S
-
Hi,
Was wondering if anyone can offer an advice or direction on my query. I’m looking for more information regarding my great grandad who served in the RAF in India. I’m not sure in what kind of capacity. I’m really interested to know where he would have been based and what function he undertook. I’ve posted as much information as I have below. Any direction that can be provided would be appreciated.
Walter Greaves, was in India 1935-1938, not sure if he was there prior / post these dates, but would have been there during these periods. Married to Gwendoline Rose and had Derek Ian and Cynthia.
-
Welcome to rootschat Aaron.
In reply #45 above you will see a link which will take you to the appropriate form and information about how to apply for your ggrandfather’s service record. You do not need to know his serial number - name plus date of birth is sufficient. A death certificate is also required if he is deceased.
The service record is the best way to find out dates and places. :)
Good luck .
-
Hello all
New here to share some info and maybe gain some. My grandfather was RAF in Burma. I know very little to be fair.
His name was Cyril ‘Harry’ Whitbread. Lived in east London and had a veg stall/ at the docks. Pretty sure he worked on Spitfires.
Pic included is a Spitfire pin he used to make out of old pennies. He also made cigarette lighters out of shell casings.
Thanks :)
-
Thanks to all who have responded
My wife and I got the forms for getting the service records though we need to get a copy of her father's (James Notman) death certificate to prove he is dead so that we can get the full service records.
As I mentioned my wife's father died in 1980 when she was only 7 years old and her mother would never speak about his WW2 times and she has now passed away a year ago still refusing to speak about it.
The POW story may not be true as stories get 'enhanced' over time LOL :)
We do know for a fact that he was in India in September 1945 as he got married to Mary Lisiewich who we understand to be a polish nurse (not my mother in law) but James first wife.
My wife has a step brother who she thought was an uncle as she knew him when she was a child but found out within last 7 years his true identity but she does not know where he lives or even if he is alive. She would like to make contact with him as he would probably have lots of info about their father.
hiya rich,
James Notman was my great granny Margaret Notman's brother - i just so happened to have stumbled across this post in my travels (and my search for photos and information haha) - I found his first son who did die in 2009, I've yet to have read the rest of this thread so I have no idea if you know this by now nearly 10 years later
-
Another post to make,
I received the records of my great grandpa Albert Joseph Griffiths not too long ago, who was a gunner in Burma and according to legend was a POW until he managed to escape. He never spoke of his wartime experiences and I'm not sure if he is on any POW rolls - how would I be able to find these?
Those records were surprisingly redacted to hell and back, which is a slight thorn in my side but I'll make do.
-
crimtaa,
The POW index cards for Japanese POWs are held in WO345 at TNA (https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/results/r?_q=WO+345&_sd=&_ed=&_hb=), and are searchable on Discovery. They have been digitized.
That said nothing comes up for Albert Griffiths. It may be that although he was captured, he managed to escape before being formally documented and inducted into a POW camp.
-
There are several Albert Griffiths among the German POWs, with this particular individual (https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C16915524) being in the Royal Artillery.