Ordinary serviceman's RAF service number from the Second World War

[ALAMO2008]

I have a letter dated 1988 from my Uncle George to my Uncle Bill mentioning Squadrons in RAF WW2 and postings. My Cousin is keen to see her Father's Service Record but we don't have his Service No.
All we know of him is :-
 William Brown born 18/06/1921 lived at Annick Bank, Perceton Ayrshire as Farm Labourer His Father was Hugh Brown.
Letter mentions Postings to Merston and Tangmere and Squadrons 2748 2751 2825 2865 2866 Halton Camp
He Married Margaret Irene Chapman on 3rd July 1943 at St Philip's Church, Litherland Liverpool
Having been introduced to her during leave in the War by my Uncle George Chapman
Bill Passed away 05/06/1988
A plastic badge of HMS Glasgow was in the letter, but we don't why or the connection ?
If we apply on the application form with such a common surname, will they able to trace his records still ?
Any other info appreciated.

[rafcommands]

Yes,

Advise all you know about birth place/date and marriage as these will all help to confirm the record they find is correct.

You will need to supply a copy of his death certificate as it's just on the edge of the 25 year rule - best to be safe.

The squadrons listed are all RAF Regiment so ground defence for aerodromes.

Ross

[GeraldineM]

I would like to know more about my father's service in the RAF. His name was Robert Joseph McKeown and he was born in 1918 in Northern Ireland.  He was already in the RAF when he married my mother in June 1939 and I believe that he may have been stationed at RAF Henlow at that time.

I know he was moved all over the Middle East and to Singapore before leaving in, I think, in 1946.

How do I find out what his Service Number was?

Thanks.

[rafcommands]

You do not need his service number to apply to the MOD for his service record

...but...

look to see if it is on the marriage cert, if not look it up in AIR78 at The National Archives.

Just be careful when you use one you have looked up in AIR78 there may be several men wiith the same name serving between 1918 and the 1970s that AIR78 covers.

Ross

[barryd]

My father and mother marred in 1943. He Army, she WAAF. Both have their name, rank and number on the marriage certificate. Did this always happen? I do not know.

[Jebber]

It all depends on what information they provided at the time, some people included their numbers, others didn't. I have examples of both.

[IMBER]

I have a letter dated 1988 from my Uncle George to my Uncle Bill mentioning Squadrons in RAF WW2 and postings. My Cousin is keen to see her Father's Service Record but we don't have his Service No.
All we know of him is :-
 William Brown born 18/06/1921 lived at Annick Bank, Perceton Ayrshire as Farm Labourer His Father was Hugh Brown.
If we apply on the application form with such a common surname, will they able to trace his records still ?
Any other info appreciated.

My wife applied for her father's RAF records. They replied there were too many John  Robinson to enable his records to be identified. Two years later a relative found his service number and my wife applied successfully.  Nonetheless, you should apply and see what happens.

Imber

[GeraldineM]

I have now looked on the National Archive site and found what I think is his Service Number - the slip with the name and number was stamped with an F enclosed in a circle, what does that signify? 

Don't worry if it is something awful.

Thanks.

[daretodiscover]

Nothing awful. Class F Reserve.

http://www.rafcommands.com/reference/air-78-and-finding-raf-other-ranks-service-number/

DTD