RAF volunteer reserve 1942 help

[fallingonabruise]

What would a 67yr old  man be used for in this reserve?
He was an aircraftman 2nd class who died on active service aged 69 !
I'm researched James wellington Jelfs (junior) who was born in India 1875
 and joined the army aged 14  in 1890 (north staffs) eventually in 1914 joining the Australian Imperial Force in Egypt  and going to Anzac cove, demobbed 1919.
Then when he was 67 he joined the RAF !
was there no stopping this bloke ?!

cheers
andria

[kyt]

Probably admin or recruit training.

Found this but doesn't give much away and no other mentions:

From Flight magazine

May 11th  , 1944

Old Soldiers Never Die

VETERAN of the Boer War and the1914 18 War, Aircraftman J. W. Jelfs, of Coalpit Heath, near Bristol,
claims to be the oldest member of the R.A.F. He is 69.

When he first tried to enlist, in 1940, he was told he was too old, but after badgering the authorities with unrelenting persistence and even offering to pay for his own "medical," the R.A.F. finally decided that such determination ought not to be wasted, and accepted
him.

Any grandpa want to challenge his claim ?

[fallingonabruise]

fantastic , thank you 

He sounds like a very determined old man ,
I wonder how he died ?

[kyt]

He is reported as Died on Active Service - so either illness, non-service related accident, or probably in this case, old age.

K

[briant]

He is here  http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2451280

James Wellington Jelfs,what a great name,


Death cert

Jelfs,James W,  age69, Gloucester R,  Vol 6a, Page 365

[Flakdodger]

What an astonishing bloke!
In case you did not know, his AIF service papers are on line at http://naa12.naa.gov.au log in as guest and search on his name.
Fascinating.
Dave

[briant]

Re the NAA,

I like the bit where it says, What is your trade or calling:   Soldier

A most remarkable man,

[fallingonabruise]

He is here  http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2451280

James Wellington Jelfs,what a great name,


Death cert

Jelfs,James W,  age69, Gloucester R,  Vol 6a, Page 365

thanks, theres even a photo of the area of the graveyard where he's buried, I would like to see his actual grave stone tho.
As soon as i can afford it , i shall get his death cert.

I have seen his Australian papers,thanks, through the 'mapping our Anzacs' website,
Ive just read through them again, and found it funny how he was discharged as unfit due to his bad knee, that he originally did playing football in england 8 yrs previously,
his severe GSW in his thigh must have healed up fine 

Even though he's not my relative, (he's my daughters great great grandad), I felt quite emotional to read his special qualifications for employment.
' a thoroughly respectable , intelligent man'...

[fallingonabruise]

At last I have a Photo  !