Author Topic: Searching for RAF service number  (Read 1453 times)

Offline Rebeccaturner

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Searching for RAF service number
« on: Sunday 11 March 18 23:56 GMT (UK) »
Hello,

Wondering if anybody can help or point me in the right direction,
I recently lost my grandfather a few days ago and wanted to use his service number in a memorial,
Only thing is I only know the last (or the first) four numbers of his service number,
I know I can apply to obtain service records from .gov but these require a full service number which I don’t have..
His name was Hubert John Turner, born August 14th 1936. I know he wasn’t deployed anywhere - one of those conversations I always wish I had asked more about his RAF life, I know he was a serviceman based in Norfolk for a time but did not work in combat.
If any body knows how to find a service number it would mean the world. The digits I have are ‘4146’ I don’t know if these are the beginning or end of the number,
Thanks

Offline glenclare

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Re: Searching for RAF service number
« Reply #1 on: Monday 12 March 18 01:11 GMT (UK) »
Hi
When he married was he still in the RAF?
Sometimes the service number is put on the marriage certificate. My fathers was on my parents certificate and OH’s on ours.
Not always the case but you may be lucky.

Offline Ruskie

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Re: Searching for RAF service number
« Reply #2 on: Monday 12 March 18 02:00 GMT (UK) »
No, you don't need a service number to apply for a service record. Date and place of birth generally is enough.

I think there are some records online but I can't recall how to see them (and I recall it being a bit complex) but someone will be able to help you.

I haven't checked so don't know if any of these are of any use:

Find My Past has some RAF records
http://www.rafcommands.com/forum/showthread.php?27-RAF-RAF-OR-Service-Numbers
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/help-with-your-research/research-guides/royal-air-force-personnel/

Offline KGarrad

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Re: Searching for RAF service number
« Reply #3 on: Monday 12 March 18 07:35 GMT (UK) »
You could try here:
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=629696.

That's how I found my dad's number ;D
Garrad (Suffolk, Essex, Somerset), Crocker (Somerset), Vanstone (Devon, Jersey), Sims (Wiltshire), Bridger (Kent)


Offline PtE

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Re: Searching for RAF service number
« Reply #4 on: Monday 12 March 18 08:21 GMT (UK) »
Hi,
Hubert John Turner is shown on page 1799 Air/160 Nat. Arch. Service number 4146233

Regards
PtE
Bellingham Kent
Hope Kent
Love Kent
Simmons Kent
Bridgland Kent
Beslee Kent
Patterson Kent
Knott Kent

Offline MaxD

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Re: Searching for RAF service number
« Reply #5 on: Monday 12 March 18 08:40 GMT (UK) »
Ruskie  I think what you are trying to recall is the index in the NA document AIR 78 which can be downloaded for free.  Having downloaded bits of it recently, I find he is 4146233.  Works for RAF 1918-1975 but note the caveat http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/results/r?_q=AIR+78

MaxD

PteE -crossed in the post

I am Zoe Northeast, granddaughter of Maximilian Double.
 
It is with great difficulty I share with you that in the early hours of 07 August 2021, Maximilian passed away unexpectedly but peacefully.

With deep sadness,
Zoe



Double  Essex/Suffolk
Randle/Millington Warwicks
Sokser/Klingler Austria/Croatia

Offline Ruskie

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Re: Searching for RAF service number
« Reply #6 on: Monday 12 March 18 09:14 GMT (UK) »
Yes, I think that is it Max.  :)

Offline MaxD

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Re: Searching for RAF service number
« Reply #7 on: Monday 12 March 18 14:39 GMT (UK) »
PtE

No doubt we have the same man/number but, for my info, I can't make sense of the National Archives reference you have given. AIR/160 and AIR 160 don't exist or at least don't return any results - could you give a link for my future reference please?

MaxD
I am Zoe Northeast, granddaughter of Maximilian Double.
 
It is with great difficulty I share with you that in the early hours of 07 August 2021, Maximilian passed away unexpectedly but peacefully.

With deep sadness,
Zoe



Double  Essex/Suffolk
Randle/Millington Warwicks
Sokser/Klingler Austria/Croatia

Offline PtE

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Re: Searching for RAF service number
« Reply #8 on: Monday 12 March 18 18:10 GMT (UK) »
MaxD
Yes the National Archive site is rather tricky, however, I will need to emulate the process that I followed this morning, before I came to the same conclusion as you did....which was a good result. The 1918-1975 date range does ring a bell, and your route was probably quicker, so will get back when I have worked it out.
PtE
Bellingham Kent
Hope Kent
Love Kent
Simmons Kent
Bridgland Kent
Beslee Kent
Patterson Kent
Knott Kent