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General => Armed Forces => World War Two => Topic started by: Luke Dawson on Sunday 23 December 18 20:42 GMT (UK)

Title: RAF personal on no records
Post by: Luke Dawson on Sunday 23 December 18 20:42 GMT (UK)
Hello People,

Despite my best efforts, I am having real problems finding my grandfather on any lists / rolls and so on. I have checked the AIR 78 from the NA, also nothing.  Even though he was in the RAF from 42-45. He was an air mechanic and served in India and Burma. I have a full album of his time there. However, I find no information on him, even though I have his service number. He had numerous photos of the 101s, I assume not in it.1496031.

I know the MOD should have his service record, he has been dead since 25 years, but there should be something on him. Were there different rules for personal that were not direct in combat ? Any help would be appreciated.

Norris Dawson
1496031
Born. Idle, Bradford

Regards

Luke
Title: Re: RAF personal on no records
Post by: dowdstree on Sunday 23 December 18 21:18 GMT (UK)
Hi there I have asked for your post to be moved to our WW2 Board as they may be better able to help you.

Perhaps you would need to send for his service record from the MOD.

Good Luck

Dorrie
Title: Re: RAF personal on no records
Post by: Kevin Burrell on Sunday 23 December 18 21:27 GMT (UK)
There are the following records on the Forces War Records site - my subscription for this has lapsed so I cannot look at the actual records themselves, just the search screen...
N  Dawson   Temporary Flight Lieutenant  1943  Administrative And Special Duties... 
N J  Dawson   War Substantive Flying Officer  1942  Administrative And Special Duties... 

Are you sure the service number is correct? I did a search just on this number (1496031) in FindMyPast and it came back with a record for a W. Tomlinson-Boyce?


Cheers
Kev 
 
Title: Re: RAF personal on no records
Post by: Greensleeves on Sunday 23 December 18 22:22 GMT (UK)
I could be wrong, but that service number looks a bit long for the date he joined the RAF.  Might be worth checking it out;  I thought about that time they were still six digits.

Regards
GS
Title: Re: RAF personal on no records
Post by: Luke Dawson on Monday 24 December 18 04:15 GMT (UK)
Apologies for posting in the wrong area.

I will check his number again, but I think it is correct. He was certainly in India at the latest end of 1942. I think he was there somewhat earlier.

Title: Re: RAF personal on no records
Post by: CarolA3 on Monday 24 December 18 05:13 GMT (UK)
All service records for 1920 onwards* are held by the Ministry of Defence, and are not available anywhere else despite the claims made by certain commercial websites.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/request-records-of-deceased-service-personnel

If you're not sure of his service number, give them his full date of birth (and National Insurance number if known).  There's a £30 charge (non-refundable) which must be paid by cheque when you apply.

Good luck :)

Carol

*added - including non-combatants -


Title: Re: RAF personal on no records
Post by: ShaunJ on Monday 24 December 18 07:05 GMT (UK)
In case you don't have this already, there are photos of LAC Norris Dawson and his brother Sam (a Private in the Black Watch) in the Shipley Times and Express of 9 June 1943, page 13: ""Idle Salvation Army Bandsmen in the Forces".
Title: Re: RAF personal on no records
Post by: Luke Dawson on Monday 24 December 18 11:51 GMT (UK)
Quote from: ShaunJ on Monday 24 December 18 07:05 GMT (UK)
In case you don't have this already, there are photos of LAC Norris Dawson and his brother Sam (a Private in the Black Watch) in the Shipley Times and Express of 9 June 1943, page 13: ""Idle Salvation Army Bandsmen in the Forces".

Hello Shaun,

I did not know this. Where did you get this from ? I have found no info here. These are my lot.

Thanks a lot for that.
Title: Re: RAF personal on no records
Post by: ShaunJ on Monday 24 December 18 11:58 GMT (UK)
Here are links to the article:

On FindMyPast https://search.findmypast.co.uk/bna/viewarticle?id=bl%2f0001711%2f19430609%2f102

On BNA: https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001711/19430609/102/0013

Both are subscription sites. If you search you will find a few more mentions of Norris Dawson in the newspapers. 
Title: Re: RAF personal on no records
Post by: rafcommands on Monday 24 December 18 14:27 GMT (UK)
He is listed in AIR 78 with the service number you have - and annotated as a Militia Man.

AIR 78 contains a few misplaced cards - and his is one of them - look top left of the first page listing Muriel Dawson

Ross
Title: Re: RAF personal on no records
Post by: Luke Dawson on Monday 24 December 18 20:16 GMT (UK)
Thanks so much for your help people. I have found some things I really never knew.

@ Ross.

Thank you for that. For some reason he is not coming up. With Muriel Dawson all I get are people from WW1.
Title: Re: RAF personal on no records
Post by: rafcommands on Thursday 27 December 18 12:44 GMT (UK)
http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C15623969

Middle left - click on preview image

select image 118

he is top left

For anything else you need to apply for his service record - everything else online or from other posters is "best guess" like the red herring of commission and not enough digits in service number

Ross
Title: Re: RAF personal on no records
Post by: Luke Dawson on Friday 28 December 18 09:35 GMT (UK)
Thank you Ross. I found him, you have been a fantastic help.