RAF - David Herbert Smith

[BushInn1746]

1939 to 1974 BOAC records are held near Heathrow:-

British Airways Heritage Collection
Waterside
Speedbird Way
Harmondsworth
England
UB7 0GA

Correspondence address:
Waterside (HDGA)
PO Box 365
Harmondsworth
Middlesex
UB7 0GB

Contact email here ...
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/a/A13529964
 ----------
Warwick University
Modern Records Centre ...
BOAC Operational Research Branch 1951-74
https://mrc-catalogue.warwick.ac.uk/records/BOA

[BushInn1746]

ShaunJ posted this link on another post
https://www.apply-deceased-military-record.service.gov.uk/

To use this link for an Army enquiry (person born 1907 and since 1907) you will need to provide some brief military related Information about their Service, including proof of Death (P of D upload essential).

In their acknowledgement they have further requested his Date of Birth or his Service Number. Supplied D of B.

Added:
We will try and let you know if they find the record of my late relative a Private, who left the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry at Bodmin, Cornwall in 1936, according to a DCLI letter we have (which provided quite a bit of the information required to complete the online Form questions).

2nd Add.
We have emailed photographs of the full DCLI letter and a later War Medal box (WW2) and explained that he worked in a Coventry factory during WW2 and assisted in recovery of Casualties on the infamous 1940 Blitz night. The box includes his name, address and a reference number on the outside and sent from Infantry Barracks, Exeter, Devon.

3rd Add
1936 DCLI letter has no Service Number, but confirms 6 & 1/2 years service.

[AngieToton]

I've got the photo of David in uniform if anyone can confirm which it is, thanks

[tonepad]

The photo is RAF Uniform
Just make out the Eagle Shoulder Badges

https://www.dearoldblighty.com/en-GB/all-items/ww2-raf-waaf-pair-of-shoulder-eagle-badges-/prod_19426


Tony

[tonepad]

The forage cap he is wearing was in use from 1936 until about 1950.

Tony

[Andy J2022]

As tonepad says, the shoulder flash is going to be the standard RAF 'Albatross' and the buttons on his uniform are standard RAF. Since he's not wearing any rank or trade badges, the best we can say is that he is an Aircraftman, and could be either First or Second class within that rank. 

[AngieToton]

Thanks, that all ties in as after WW2 he worked for BOAC

[Rosie (MaccHistorian)]

There is an index to RAF servicemen and women on the National Archives website. It consists of name and service number only and most but not all who served are included. You need to browse or search to find which file you need, download it (pdf)  and then browse the file to hopefully find the person you are searching for. It's free but I think you need to register with the website to download the files. https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C2132

[AngieToton]

We have no other info on him like a service number or regiment