Atkinson War Records

[oz in uk]

During the battle of El Alamein my grandfather Leonard Atkinson was wounded and was being flown back to Cairo on a RAF Boston transport aircraft with the new 8TH Army commander Lt Gen Gott. The Germans were aware of this and sent a flight of fighters to shoot it down which they did. My grandfather then died in Cairo from burns received in the crash. Does anyone have any ideas on how I could get information supporting this and how I could also get my hands on my grandfather' war records.

[casalguidi]

Hi Oz in Uk

Welcome to Rootschat

Follow this link for information on obtaining post WW1 service records:

http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,154824.0.html

You should be able to find some details of your grandfather's service number and burial place etc. on the Commonwealth War Graves site if you haven't already done so http://www.cwgc.org/

I doubt there would be much more (if any) information on his death certificate but should you wish to obtain a copy, you should be able to find the reference to it in the overseas section at the Family Records Centre, London.  Alternatively the indexes can be view online at http://www.1837online.com but pay per view.  The actual certificates cost £7 and can be ordered online once you have the index references http://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/

Casalguidi

[oz in uk]

Is therre anyway of getting more official information on his death in regards to the plane crash or would it be more beneficial looking at Lt Gen Gott?

[casalguidi]

Personally speaking, I am not experienced in that line of research but hopefully other Rootschatters can come up with an idea or two

Casalguidi

[oz in uk]

thanks anyway. i have already applied for my grandather's service records through the veteran's agency so i will see what happens.

oz in uk

[annsa]

Hi,

For details of the plane etc, try the general queries message baord at:

www.rafcommands.com

I'm sure that one of the researchers that use that board will have information regarding this crash in their files.

Regards,

Ann

[annsa]

Hi,

Just in case it slips off the bottom of the board and onto the next page, you have received a couple of answers to your request for help on the RAF site. One of them, Franek, was in touch with the family of the pilot who survived the crash and he evidently has photos and also details from the pilot's log book. If you get in touch with him, he will send you all the stuff he has if you are interested.

Regards,

Ann

[oz in uk]

Thank you very much Annsa

[Wendi]

was in touch with the family of the pilot who survived the crash and he evidently has photos and also details from the pilot's log book.

   This site never ceases to amaze me 

Well done Ann and good luck with your research Annsa, what a break through