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General => Armed Forces => World War Two => Topic started by: loggaman on Tuesday 26 August 14 06:19 BST (UK)

Title: Can someone identify the plane and possible squadron
Post by: loggaman on Tuesday 26 August 14 06:19 BST (UK)
Hi
I think it is a Lancaster bomber from WW2. Is there a way I can identify the squadron from the decal on the side?. There seems to be ..... Special which has been painted over above the decal on the original photograph. My father is in the photo I know he was a Warrant Officer bomb aimer but thats it.
Thanks
Alex
Title: Re: Can someone identify the plane and possible squadron
Post by: WelwynGC1 on Tuesday 26 August 14 10:56 BST (UK)
Yes Alex, definitely a Lancaster. Did your Father survive?

If not there must be records, not least the bomber command losses series which will tell you the squadron. Service records will also tell you , many posts on here will tell you how to apply for them.

Good luck and great pic by the way.

Steve.
Title: Re: Can someone identify the plane and possible squadron
Post by: WelwynGC1 on Tuesday 26 August 14 11:00 BST (UK)
To add, l am guessing at your name being Gill, there are a few on the 1943 losses and a couple on the 1944. All have squadron numbers.
Title: Re: Can someone identify the plane and possible squadron
Post by: Drew5233 on Tuesday 26 August 14 12:14 BST (UK)
You can apply for a copy of his service records from RAF Scampton. They will tell you what training he did, where he did it and what Sqns he was posted to. A lot of the Training Unit Operational Record Books contain course photo's so he may be in one of them.

Cheers
Title: Re: Can someone identify the plane and possible squadron
Post by: loggaman on Tuesday 26 August 14 21:48 BST (UK)
You can apply for a copy of his service records from RAF Scampton. They will tell you what training he did, where he did it and what Sqns he was posted to. A lot of the Training Unit Operational Record Books contain course photo's so he may be in one of them.

Cheers

My father survived the war but declined to discuss his experiences. I have photos from desert landscapes
and others . Would he have only flown from RAF Scampton? or is it just the records that are kept there? The reason i ask is I was also in the RAF and posted there but he never mentioned the coincidence.
Thanks
Alex 
Title: Re: Can someone identify the plane and possible squadron
Post by: WelwynGC1 on Wednesday 27 August 14 10:03 BST (UK)
Records are not held by the place where a person was based. They are all held in one place and to my knowledge it is definitely not Scampton unless they moved there yesterday?

Memory tells me Cosford or Cranwell or somewhere like that, sure someone will see this thread and correct me by giving the address.

Alternatively if you look through the various posts there will undoubtedly be some better info than l can give. Yes l am useless l know-LOL.

I will also have a look and see what l can find.

Rootschatter Dee Boneham is a mine of information if you are stuck.
Title: Re: Can someone identify the plane and possible squadron
Post by: WelwynGC1 on Wednesday 27 August 14 10:08 BST (UK)
Read the thread immediately after this one Alex about WAAF records, all the info is there for you.

Good luck and let us all know how you get on.

Steve.
Title: Re: Can someone identify the plane and possible squadron
Post by: Spikey68 on Wednesday 27 August 14 17:36 BST (UK)
https://www.gov.uk/requests-for-personal-data-and-service-records

What was his full name?
Title: Re: Can someone identify the plane and possible squadron
Post by: Drew5233 on Wednesday 27 August 14 21:23 BST (UK)
My mistake - Not sure where Scampton came from, it's RAF Cranwell

http://www.raf.mod.uk/community/support/requestforinformationfromservicerecords.cfm
Title: Re: Can someone identify the plane and possible squadron
Post by: loggaman on Wednesday 27 August 14 21:27 BST (UK)
https://www.gov.uk/requests-for-personal-data-and-service-records

What was his full name?
Alfred James Gill I think his service number is 1569560 from the NA website its the only AJ Gill.
Have downloaded the form
Thanks
Alex
Title: Re: Can someone identify the plane and possible squadron
Post by: WelwynGC1 on Thursday 28 August 14 06:13 BST (UK)
Hi Alex, l think as Drew says the address is Cranwell now, probably on the form you download anyway. Dont think they are at Innsworth any more.

I seem to remember it was £30 if not next of kin, and l waited about 5 weeks.

Just depends on the volume of work they may have, but well worth the wait.

No problem with the mistake Drew, l used to think Sherlock Holmes was an estate agent! LOL

Steve.
Title: Re: Can someone identify the plane and possible squadron
Post by: loggaman on Saturday 18 October 14 06:31 BST (UK)
I sent the form mentioned but it was the wrong one for deceased RAF personnel. I then sent the right one with all the documents they  asked for and got a letter back asking for 30 pounds even though I stated I was his immediate family and his parents and spouse were deceased. Out of my price range at this time. It only covers Spouse and Parents? Wouldnt be many parents left now I wouldnt think.
Title: Re: Can someone identify the plane and possible squadron
Post by: Drew5233 on Saturday 18 October 14 23:25 BST (UK)
Service records are only free for the service person and their wife/husband. Everyone else has to pay £30.
Title: Re: Can someone identify the plane and possible squadron
Post by: Luky on Saturday 27 December 14 00:32 GMT (UK)
Great Photo !