RESEARCHING DETAILS ABOUT THOSE WHO SERVED
IN THE RAF
The site dedicated to remembering those who served in the Royal Air Force during world war 2
and helping unite families & friends - In Association with RAFMATES.co.uk
and helping unite families & friends - In Association with RAFMATES.co.uk
WE SUPPORT
So where do you start to find out what your relatives did in the Royal Air Force during World War 2? Hopefully we will be able to answer some of these question and give a basic outline of where to begin.
Please note however that the following information
only refers to those who served in the Royal Air Force from 1939 to 1945 and does not include details for pre or post war service.
Record for those Royal Air Force Officers that served prior to 1922 and Royal Air Force Airmen that served prior to 1924 can be obtained by visiting The National Archives, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 4DU. Tel: +44 (0) 20 8876 3444
and are freely available for public access. However the National Archives is not resourced to carry out searches. Enquirers are instead welcome to visit, or hire an independent researcher
Service records of Officers that served in the Royal Air Force from 1922 onwards and Airmen that served from 1924 onwards are not classed as being in the Public domain and as such are held at Royal Air Force Personnel Management Agency (PMA).
Royal Air Force Personnel Management Agency (PMA)
Obtaining service records for those who served in the Royal Air Force during world war 2 is more or less straightforward, but Innsworth will only divulge service information to the person to whom it refers or, if he
or she has died to his or her immediate next of kin. Anyone else must obtain permission
from the person about whom they are enquiring or from his or her next of kin,
before any information will be given to them. In some cases the PMA make a charge of £30.00
for any information they provide. Except to the person to which it refers, or the
widow or widower of that person.
To obtain service records you will need to write to:
PMA(Sec)1b(RAF)
Room 5, Building 248A,
RAF Personnel Management Agency
Raf Innsworth
Gloucester GL3 1EZ
The PMA do not have a website or contact telephone number and all correspondence must be forwarded by letter.
TIPS ON HOW TO APPLY FOR RECORDS:
1. If you know the service number of the person then quote it in your correspondence.
2. Give the Full name of the person, with the dates served in the RAF if known.
3. Give your relationship to the person in regard to the records you are applying for (you may have to send proof of your relationship).
4. Send a copy of the death certificate of the person (if you have one, along with copies of any relevant papers such as release certificate etc. Do not send the actual documents. A photocopy is sufficient.
5. If applying on behalf of the
widow or widower of that person then send copies as above plus a copy of the marriage certificate.
Be patient as it can take up to 6 weeks or more to receive personnel records.
INFORMATION SHOWN ON PERSONELL RECORDS:
So what kind of information can you expect to receive from the service records?
Typically the service records (form 543) are shown on 2 pages of A3, photocopied from the original which are kept with the PMA.
As shown on a typical form 543 opposite (click image for a larger view of both sheets).
Don't be surprised that on receiving the service records you find it not as you expected, with everything laid out in a neat type written document and easy to understand.
Most of the information is added throughout the service life of the individual and hand written in abbreviated form, which can sometimes be hard to understand.
It is just a matter of trying to find out what the abbreviation mean (not an easy task in some cases). We do have some of the more common acronyms listed on our 'abbreviations page', but this is by no means complete, although we do try and add to them as and when we receive new ones.
RESEARCHING OTHER INFORMATION
This is where things get a little tricky, especially if you are trying to find other information such as what operations your relative took part in during world war 2 etc.
It does however mean a personal visit to
The Public Record Office (PRO) at Kew as they will not undertake research for you.
The Public Record Office (PRO) houses the national archives of England
and the United Kingdom, that is, records created by the actions of central government
and of the courts of law of England and Wales. There are many millions of documents, ranging in date from the Norman Conquest to the present day. Public records,(with few exceptions) are available for inspection by members of the public thirty years after the end of the year in which they were created. The majority of records preserved by the RAF are located in the AIR classes at the PRO
Operational records for the inter war period and the Second World War can provide some information on service if you know the squadron in which a man served.
Squadron record books are in AIR 27 section;
Station record books in AIR 28;
and miscellaneous units in AIR 29.
They do not however have all information for the inter war years.
Admission to the Public Records section is by reader's ticket only, which will be issued on production of proof of identity, such as a driving licence or passport. PRO staff are available to assist visitors, but cannot undertake research for you.
The Address for PRO is
Public Record Office, Ruskin Avenue, Kew,
Richmond, Surrey, TW9 4DU.
Tel: 020 8876 3444
Web address: Public Records Office
COMMONWEALTH WAR GRAVES COMMISSION
A good stepping stone to find details about someone who was killed during world war 2 is the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website.
Here you will find The "Debt of Honour Register" which is the Commission's database listing the 1.7 million men and women of the Commonwealth forces who died during the two world wars and the 23,000 cemeteries, memorials and other locations worldwide where they are commemorated. The register can also be searched for details of the 67,000 Commonwealth civilians who died as a result of enemy action in the Second World War.
The site, in most cases will tell you name, Rank, service number, date of death, Squadron /Unit and the cemetery or memorial where that person is commemorated.
OTHER USEFUL ADDRESSES
For Records of decorations and citations
Write to -
PMA Sec 1c
Room F93, Building 255
HQ RAF Personnel and Training Command
RAF Innsworth
Gloucester GL3 1EZ
For Medal Claims
Write to -
PMA SEC 1c(RAF)
Room 6, Building 248A
RAF Personnel Management Agency
RAF Innsworth
Gloucester GL3 1EZ
The Royal Air Force Museum
The Royal Air Force Museum exists to preserve, conserve and exhibit the history of the RAF and its relationship with aviation. It aims to promote the public's understanding of the role and achievements of the RAF for the benefit of future generations. The Museum maintains substantial documentary holdings on the RAF and military aviation. These include the papers of Marshal of the Royal Air Force Lord Trenchard and Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur Harris, microfilmed copies of aircraft accident cards and movement cards, the First World War (RFC) casualty index, a large collection of pilots' log books, and the records of the Handley Page aircraft company. There is also a library and a photographic archive. Visitors by appointment only.
Department of Research and Information Services, Royal Air Force Museum, Grahame Park Way, Hendon, London, NW9 5LL
Tel: 020 8205 2266
Web address: RAF Museum.Org
Membership -
Join Online Today
Membership of RAFA offers you comradeship, through our network of Branches & Clubs, with like minded people with similar experiences & interests. You will also be able to make contact with old comrades through RAF-Comrade-Contact. There are opportunities for you to get involved in numerous activities and, as befits the largest single-service organisation; benefit from our
Affinity Deals -
More information »
The Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund
is there to provide support to all members of the RAF family in need. If you have ever served in the Royal Air Force, or you are an immediate dependant of someone who served, then you may be eligible for assistance.
Grants, loans and advice are available for a broad range of help, including: mobility aids and specialist equipment for the sick and disabled; help with housing and accommodation; assistance in accessing and funding care; as well as individual grants to relieve specific financial need.
If you think you may be eligible for help please call 0800 169 2942 or
click here to apply on-line.