Corporal C J Butler 16 Flight D squadron. Newquay

[wilcoxon]

I have what seems to be a training log that belonged to  549446 Corporal C J Butler.
Fitter 11 U/T Pilot. 16 Flight D Squadron , No 7 ITW  Newquay. Cornwall.
It has many notes and diagrams .
The only clue to dates is a Navigation Log that has been glued in.
Squadron 35. Aeroplane No. L1343.
Date 2 Dec 1941.
Captain S/LDR D J Roe. DFC
Pilot Sgt. Pash.
Navigator Sgt/Obs Butler.
Inside are details of a route  -
Lincoln.
Point of Ayr.
Swansea.
Lincoln.

 Can anyone help me find more about this man.

[whiteout7]

I thought initially this looks like a training book. Here is what I found:

"7 ITW was No. 7 Initial Training Wing based at Newquay, Cornwall. Initial Training Wings taught basic flying theory, service protocols etc and also sorted recruits into their potential RAF trades (pilot, observers/navigator, wireless operator/air gunner etc)"

16 Flight D Squadron is his position in the training school, rather that what he may have gone on and done in WW2.

[whiteout7]

Background on 35 Sqn RAF

"On the outbreak of World War II, No. 35 Squadron was designated a training unit, supplementing its Battles with Avro Ansons and Bristol Blenheims late in 1939.[5] The squadron disbanded after being absorbed into No. 17 OTU along with No. 90 Squadron at RAF Upwood, on 8 April 1940. It reformed on 5 November 1940 at RAF Linton-on-Ouse in Yorkshire as the first Handley Page Halifax squadron. In August 1942 it became a pathfinder unit, forming part of No. 8 Group at RAF Graveley. In March 1944 the squadron re-equipped with the Avro Lancaster."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No._35_Squadron_RAF#World_War_II

[rafcommands]

The ITW was initial training wing where aviation candidates were given ground school instruction prior to aircrew trade training.

No flying was carried out at the ITW but they did use actual aircrew navigation logs as examples for desk based navigation exercises but in this case L1343 was assigned to a Blenheim I.

Fitter II would be his current trade before he started training (u/t) as a pilot.

There is however a problem with the service number you quote as examination of AIR 78 does not show any C J Butler with this OR number.

549446 is a valid OR service number but it belongs to a completely different surname.
http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2224268/LOUCH,%20FRANCIS%20WILLIAM

Ross

[wilcoxon]

  Many apologies , the correct number is 569446 (varifocals to blame )

the 11 might not be "eleven" it is written as what looks more like TI underlined.
 I can`t find anything similar to show. Hope this helps .

[wilcoxon]

Looking again at other pages in the book, the 11 could mean 2,  as there is a 1, 11 , and 111 with a line above  and below .

[rafcommands]

Fitter II as it is normally written is roman numeral for Fitter grade 2.

His card in AIR78 has his former name of Wood crossed out and Butler pencilled in.

His service number indicates he entered the RAF as an apprentice at RAF Halton in Jan 1936. (33rd entry http://www.oldhaltonians.co.uk/)

http://jrt.home.xs4all.nl/raf/

The Halifax crashes of Clive Butler are mentioned in passing
http://jrt.home.xs4all.nl/raf/brats.html
along with his extensive surgery by McIndoe

Clive John Butler was commissioned to Pilot Officer from Cpl on 25th Sept 1942 so you can assume that he gained his wings on this date (minimum rank for aircrew at this date was Sgt).

https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/35904/supplement/815/data.pdf

His final Halifax crash was in PN169 of No.171 Squadron at North Creake on 17th April 1945 as a F/L. The duty was a training flight.

Using his officer personal number of 49797 allows you to track him in the Gazette to 1956 and beyond

https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/40907/supplement/5982

Ross

[wilcoxon]

thank you.

I believe I`ve found his death, as the Log book is in Wrexham then this is probably him.
Clive John Butler Birth Date: 27 Jan 1920
Nov 1989 Age at Death: 69 Wrexham Registration district .
 I can`t find a match for his birth registration
Are there any enrolment details that might help. I`m hoping to find some family members, but as it seems he was badly injured then there`s a chance he never married.

[rafcommands]

Are you looking for a birth registration under Butler or Wood?

After a service man has been deceased for over 25 years anyone can apply to Disclosures at RAF Cranwell for a copy of the service record but this will not give you any NoK details.

Ross