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General => Armed Forces => World War Two => Topic started by: AngieToton on Monday 08 April 24 16:46 BST (UK)
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I'm trying to find out if my husband's grandfather was in the RAF - David Herbert Smith born 7th July 1916 in Draycott ( Shardlow district ) Derbyshire
He worked for BOAC in Africa for a while but we've discovered a photo of him in we think is an RAF uniform but we can't seem to find anything to confirm he served in the RAF during WWII
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Have you tried the National Archives website :-\
WW2 records were previously being held by the MoD and are in the process of being transferred to TNA.
https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/help-with-your-research/research-guides/second-world-war/
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Thanks, yes tried that but couldn't find anything
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You would have to apply for them to produce it for you. They are starting to digitise all of the WW2 records
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ShaunJ posted this link on another post
https://www.apply-deceased-military-record.service.gov.uk/
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Can you post the photo to see if anyone can confirm that he is wearing RAF uniform?
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Thanks, will do, it's at my mother-in-laws at the minute so when i get it I'll post it
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I'm trying to find out if my husband's grandfather was in the RAF - David Herbert Smith born 7th July 1916 in Draycott ( Shardlow district ) Derbyshire
He worked for BOAC in Africa for a while but we've discovered a photo of him in we think is an RAF uniform but we can't seem to find anything to confirm he served in the RAF during WWII
Armstrong Whitworth Whitley aircraft (usually flown by RAF) were flown by BOAC during WW2 on supply / freight sorties.
https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205059412
Whitley BOAC Civil Registrations compiled by Nicholas Roberts March 1978 attached.
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The RAF Museum, Hendon, Dept of Research.
https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/london/
Mark
Added
Index of Airmen and Airwomen
AIR 78/146/1
Smith, D - Smith, Doris Winifred.
1918 to 1975
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C15625704
Some slips only use initials with surnames and Service Numbers.
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A description about this 'Sold' book mentions BOAC assistance to one of the Groups ...
https://www.compasslibrary.com/products/raf-transport-command-route-book-1944
"The group was sometimes aided by BOAC in the receiving, preparing, and dispatching of aircraft reinforcements into the North African and Mediterranean Theatres."
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1939 to 1974 BOAC records are held near Heathrow:-
British Airways Heritage Collection
Waterside
Speedbird Way
Harmondsworth
England
UB7 0GA
Correspondence address:
Waterside (HDGA)
PO Box 365
Harmondsworth
Middlesex
UB7 0GB
Contact email here ...
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/a/A13529964
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Warwick University
Modern Records Centre ...
BOAC Operational Research Branch 1951-74
https://mrc-catalogue.warwick.ac.uk/records/BOA
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ShaunJ posted this link on another post
https://www.apply-deceased-military-record.service.gov.uk/
To use this link for an Army enquiry (person born 1907 and since 1907) you will need to provide some brief military related Information about their Service, including proof of Death (P of D upload essential).
In their acknowledgement they have further requested his Date of Birth or his Service Number. Supplied D of B.
Added:
We will try and let you know if they find the record of my late relative a Private, who left the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry at Bodmin, Cornwall in 1936, according to a DCLI letter we have (which provided quite a bit of the information required to complete the online Form questions).
2nd Add.
We have emailed photographs of the full DCLI letter and a later War Medal box (WW2) and explained that he worked in a Coventry factory during WW2 and assisted in recovery of Casualties on the infamous 1940 Blitz night. The box includes his name, address and a reference number on the outside and sent from Infantry Barracks, Exeter, Devon.
3rd Add
1936 DCLI letter has no Service Number, but confirms 6 & 1/2 years service.
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I've got the photo of David in uniform if anyone can confirm which it is, thanks
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The photo is RAF Uniform
Just make out the Eagle Shoulder Badges
https://www.dearoldblighty.com/en-GB/all-items/ww2-raf-waaf-pair-of-shoulder-eagle-badges-/prod_19426
Tony
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The forage cap he is wearing was in use from 1936 until about 1950.
Tony
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As tonepad says, the shoulder flash is going to be the standard RAF 'Albatross' and the buttons on his uniform are standard RAF. Since he's not wearing any rank or trade badges, the best we can say is that he is an Aircraftman, and could be either First or Second class within that rank.
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Thanks, that all ties in as after WW2 he worked for BOAC
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There is an index to RAF servicemen and women on the National Archives website. It consists of name and service number only and most but not all who served are included. You need to browse or search to find which file you need, download it (pdf) and then browse the file to hopefully find the person you are searching for. It's free but I think you need to register with the website to download the files. https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C2132
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We have no other info on him like a service number or regiment
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But if there's only one David Herbert Smith you could guess that the service number shown in the Index is likely to be his
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The only information that you need to see if he served in the RAF (and he did by the picture) and to receive his service record
is
1. Month and Year of Birth
2. Full name
3. Proof by means of a digital copy of death certificate (jpg photo acceptable) of his death at least 25 years ago.
Follow the online application procedure for RAF Records of Deceased Service persons in the links you have been given at GOV.UK.
If a record is found matching the information you gave in 1, 2 and 3 then they will request a payment and after a defined time subject to demand it will be emailed to you.
Ross