Hi Ian,
You ask:
'When you mention "Kew" in regard to Harry's own service records I presume these to be the official RAF records? Why then are our records not public like the Australian one's? '
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][/color]Good question! I, and many others, cannot understand why the records can't be released as the Aussie, New Zealand and Canadian records are. In the past, with the help of a Canadian friend who was able to view a personnel file at Ottawa,I helped someone find out how their brother's life was lost and was able to put them in touch with family members of the other crew of the aircraft. Something they were extremely grateful for but only possible due to the fact that the Canadian records were open.
The RAF service files are available to next of kin (cost £30 now I believe), but you will only get 2 sheets of A4 and minimum info, all postings will be in that file but things such as letters, debriefing reports etc are not included. The PoW debriefing reports are held at the National Archives at Kew. You can find and view them free of charge, however you will have to search to find the right file to look at. I have looked at the Evasion and Escaping reports as well as Liberation reports. However, I am having a 'blonde' day and am unsure of the series number, it may be in the WO208 series, however, Kyt who is very likely more on the ball than I am will no doubt be able to point you in the right direction! WO208 series are the Evasion and Escaping files, if your relative managed to evade capture for a few days there might be something in those.
WO344 reports are what are known as the Liberation reports, he might have a file in that series.
There is a card index to most of the files held at the NA, however, some of the later series of the WO208 files, however some of the latter series of files do not (or didn't have) an index and therefore you just have to trawl through tons of paper.
Get the service record from the MoD, that will give you all his postings and if you get the chance go to the NA and see if there is a debriefing report lodged by him.
All the best,
Ann