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General => Armed Forces => World War Two => Topic started by: rdpaul on Friday 10 August 18 18:20 BST (UK)

Title: Father's RAF Service Number
Post by: rdpaul on Friday 10 August 18 18:20 BST (UK)

Trying to request my Father's WW 2 service records from the RAF but they have got back to me saying they are unable to locate the records without his service number.

Date of birth no help, as he gave the wrong date of birth to join the war effort underage.

His name was William Brown and joined up around 1941.

If anyone has any idea how I would be able to find his service number, it would be greatly appreciated.

Title: Re: Father's RAF Service Number
Post by: MaxD on Friday 10 August 18 19:31 BST (UK)

Long shot given the common name but AIR 78 which can be downloaded free from the National Archives should have a card for him (and however many other William Browns).  On this page AIR 78/23/7 and 78/23/8
http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/results/r?_q=brown&_ser=AIR%2078&id=C2132

Did he marry while in the service, marriage cert would may be have his number.

MaxD

Title: Re: Father's RAF Service Number
Post by: rdpaul on Friday 10 August 18 20:35 BST (UK)

Thanks for that Max.

I downloaded the files...but just too many William Browns & W. Browns there to pin him down.

He married after he left the RAF.

I'll keep searching. Thanks.

Title: Re: Father's RAF Service Number
Post by: GR2 on Friday 10 August 18 20:56 BST (UK)

My mother served in the Air Force, but when asked about her service number, she was not always very consistent. In the end it was found written inside the copy of the New Testament given to everyone in the forces. They tend not to get thrown out. I found my grandfather's original service number from WW1 inside his.

Title: Re: Father's RAF Service Number
Post by: rdpaul on Friday 10 August 18 22:35 BST (UK)

That's interesting.
I have asked my family to check on the back of photos they have of him from his RAF days, in the hope his number is written there.

Title: Re: Father's RAF Service Number
Post by: greenrig on Monday 13 August 18 13:05 BST (UK)

Any medals by any chance ?  (They might be engraved with service number).  Any letters, or documents from the time of his service? (might contain the number).  I had same issue trying to locate a James Brown. I used Air 78 to make a (long) shortlist. I knew he was something to do with radio, so I then worked through AIR 10/237 Vols 1 and 2 (and the various supplements) and matched the seven "J Browns" who were Wireless Operators, Electricians or Wireless Mechanics.  I then requested those files from Air79 and got a hit on third request; you may be able to adapt this method.  Good luck.

Title: Re: Father's RAF Service Number
Post by: rdpaul on Monday 13 August 18 15:20 BST (UK)

Thanks for that greenrig.
No medals or docs I’m afraid. But..quite by chance, I found a photo of him in uniform yesterday. On the rear of the pic was written in pencil the number 993126. I have forwarded this to the RAF Disclosure team. Will await their reply.
If that doesn’t work, I will try your technique with the AIR documents.