RootsChat.Com

Quote Greenrig - "We need some statement from (T)NA regarding the reasons for this policy". - OR someone who has a vested interest in the records of an ancestor to submit a FOI.

I bet if that Snow chap, or someone from a tv project wanted access, they would get hands-on with no gloves in the archive stores!

I completely agree Copper1, and more to the point this is a real block to the wonderful adventure of researching. I can`t imagine how else you are going to get through this but yes, some sort of explanation from TNA would be a help.
Sure some second rate celebrity on Who Do You Think You Are will have lots of help from the BBC and there will be no restrictions.
Always irks me when you see celebrities getting flights on Spitfires etc., bet they don`t have to pay the thousands it would cost us mere mortals.

My Brother and l were lucky enough to meet a wonderful WAAF called Katie Reid whom it is very likely was on duty the night that my Uncle was lost on a raid to Berlin.

She told us about how they would have to put "MISSING" on the ops board.

She was very tiny and was known as half-pint, sadly passed away in her nineties about five or six years ago.
I was able to get my Uncles story into a book, "Bomber Command-Battle of Berlin-Failed to Return"
So proud that he played his part.

Good morning,
I presume you will already have found details of the Pennfield Parish Military History Society.
Such a fantastic resource and a mine of information with many course photographs as someone else mentioned.  Maybe your relative took my Uncles course photo.
I had a photo but did not know where it was taken until l stumbled across the Pennfield site and there were others with similar backgrounds.
My Uncle was posted there from No.9 Bombing and Gunnery school at Mont-Joli, Quebec and was then on a further course for air gunners before he got his stripes.
See my original post, search "21 Brave Airmen".
I tried to search for details of all 21 airmen on the photo with good success.

My Uncle ended up at RAF Grimsby (Waltham) as a Lancaster rear gunner and was lost without trace on a raid to Berlin in September 1943.
I still have the fateful telegram that reported him missing.
His story is in a book, Battle of Berlin, Failed to Return. (first chapter).

Good luck with your research.

Hi Nic, sorry l did not see your reply before.

That`s very interesting and l will have a proper look later.

Be good to contact the family as l have only made contact with two families of his six crew mates before now.

Thank you!!

Steve.

Always interesting to read service records and see what they did. A mine of information.

can l just say that this is the place to start with any RAF research, the best site on the net.

That LEA notation, not sure its an E because there is no downward stroke on the left side and its a bit obscured by the line on the document, just a thought. The guys and gals on here are usually great with abbreviations so its unusual to see one not deciphered but sure you will get there.

Great work Crumblie!!

Check out "21 Brave Airmen" which has my Uncles story.

best regards and good luck.

Steve.