Quick RAF Squadron Question

[adicol]

Hi All,

Hubbies Uncle was shot down and killed in June 1943 over Dusseldorf.
He was in 12 Squadron and had been at Wickenby only a week when he was killed.
He transferred with 1656 Conversion Unit from RAF Lindholme.
He was a FE and a Sgt.
We assumed he had joined up some time in 1942 but after speaking to his sister (my hubbies Nan) it appears he joined up at that start of the war and served on Ground Crew but from what she can recall (she is 93 bless her) there was a shortage of Aircrew, so he trained as a FE.

What I want to know is would this have meant he was with a different squadron prior to his becoming a FE or would he have always been with 12 squadron.

Also, I am struggling to find much info other than what is on wikipedia etc on 1656 Conversion Unit, and a trip to Lindholme will be pointless as it is now a prison.

Can anyone please help?

Kind Regards

Colleen

[kyt]

Hi

could you give us a name and a serial number. That would enable us to narrow down when he enlisted. We may also be able to find more on the crew from that info too.

12 Squadron changed from Wellingtons** to Lancs in late 1942, so if he had been a member of that squadron before the change over then one would have expected the crew to have attended HCU much earlier.

K

** oops I meant Wellingtons, not Halifaxes. Sorry

[Flakdodger]

Hello Colleen,
Yes, Hubbies uncle could volunteer for aircrew, whilst serving as ground crew. He would have gone through a long process involving several training units such as Schools and Operational Training Units (OTUs) before he got to 1656 CU. Once CU completed, he would have been posted to a Squadron and this would have been his first contact with 12 Squadron.
Your detailed questions would be answered by having his service record. Have a look at:
http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/AboutDefence/WhatWeDo/Personnel/ServiceRecords/MakingARequestForServiceDetailsOfDeceasedServicePersonnel.htm
Hope this helps.
Dave

[adicol]

Hi there,

Thank so much for the replies.
Name was John E Constable service no; 636547.

I have details of the Crew members he was shot down with and the area he was killed in (we are travelling to Germany in 4 and half weeks to visit his and his crew members war graves).

He flew with Sgt Highet that night...was transferred on the 5th june 1943, and flew 23.24 on the 11th, killed on the 12th at sometime in the early hours.

Hope this helps,

Kind Regards

Colleen

[grandarog]

Hi Coleen,
                     The link below will take you to details of Lanc ED522 in which your chap lost his life on the 12 June 1943. The site is the best available and well loved by us all for the wealth of Lancaster related data that Larry has amassed .
http://www.lancaster-archive.com/lanc_losses%20jun43.pdf
Scroll down to page 4
                      regards Roger

[adicol]

Hi Roger,

Thanks for the link, I have visited this site before and I agree it is invaluable for the records it holds.

Kind Regards

Colleen

[DeeBoneham]

Hi

Your uncles sister has the right to access his service records.  It does cost but is worth it as it will give you information on when he joined, where he trained etc......  If you look on some of the other postings the website details are on there.  I cant remember it off the top of my head at the moment but if I find it will add the details. 

Flight Global and London Gazette are a bit tortuous but sometimes come up with some little gems... Try googling your ancestors name first...

Hope this helps
Dee

[DeeBoneham]

And here it is
http://www.veterans-uk.info/service_records/service_records.html
Dee

[adicol]

Thanks for the link Dee I will have a look at that and please accept my apology for such a late reply...it has been a very busy day!

K I am just wondering if the service number helped to narrow down his enlistment date at all.

Kind Regards

Colleen