RootsChat.Com

General => Armed Forces => World War Two => Topic started by: Nick Hill on Tuesday 16 November 21 09:43 GMT (UK)

Title: Look up request for RAF records
Post by: Nick Hill on Tuesday 16 November 21 09:43 GMT (UK)
Hi all,

been a long time since I've been on here so not sure about requesting help

My grandfather Harry price served in the RAF during the WW2

Is there an "easy" way to find his service number?

Details are he was born in Rowley Regis but moved to Castleford as a child, DoB 27/1/1902

He was in Normanton (Castleford) in 1939 and 1945 according to voter records and married in 1943 in Pontefract?

Any help gratefully received

Many thanks

Nick

Picture attached
Title: Re: Look up request for RAF records
Post by: ShaunJ on Tuesday 16 November 21 09:56 GMT (UK)
You can download the relevant range of index cards in AIR78 but I expect there will be more than one Harry Price so that may not help much:

https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C15625543

If you want to apply for his service records you don't need his number as long as you know his date of birth. You can now apply online (£30, and maybe a long wait):
https://www.apply-deceased-military-record.service.gov.uk/service/death-in-service
Title: Re: Look up request for RAF records
Post by: Nick Hill on Tuesday 16 November 21 10:23 GMT (UK)
Many thanks Shaun,

There are a few H Prices as you said

Will there be any more info on forces-war-records or findmypast?

cheers

Nick
Title: Re: Look up request for RAF records
Post by: ShaunJ on Tuesday 16 November 21 10:34 GMT (UK)
Quote
Will there be any more info on forces-war-records or findmypast?

Not on FindMyPast. I doubt there will be anything on f-w-r.

It's not AC2 Harry Price 1675438 - he died in 1945, or AC1 Harry Price 1505141 who died in 1943.
Title: Re: Look up request for RAF records
Post by: Nick Hill on Tuesday 16 November 21 11:13 GMT (UK)
Thanks Shaun 2 less to check  :)

Does the large F on the records signify anything?
Title: Re: Look up request for RAF records
Post by: ShaunJ on Tuesday 16 November 21 11:38 GMT (UK)
"prewar cards are stamped F in a circle denoting Class F reserve."

http://www.rafcommands.com/reference/air-78-and-finding-raf-other-ranks-service-number/
Title: Re: Look up request for RAF records
Post by: Nick Hill on Tuesday 16 November 21 11:41 GMT (UK)
Cool thanks
Title: Re: Look up request for RAF records
Post by: candleflame on Tuesday 16 November 21 11:59 GMT (UK)
The gov.uk site has changed a little and if your ancestor was RAF, you may be able to apply online if you have that facility as against through the post, though this option is still there. . This is a new service and can’t be used for anyone other than RAF, not for army or navy. Scroll down on this link which is slightly different to the link posted on Shaun’s post.

https://www.gov.uk/get-copy-military-service-records/apply-for-someone-elses-records
Title: Re: Look up request for RAF records
Post by: Nick Hill on Tuesday 16 November 21 14:25 GMT (UK)
Thank you I've applied so see how long it takes  :)
Title: Re: Look up request for RAF records
Post by: cliffkinch on Tuesday 16 November 21 16:00 GMT (UK)
I have a few wartime marriage certificates which has included the service number on it. That may be worth a shot but not always guaranteed
Cliff
Title: Re: Look up request for RAF records
Post by: KGarrad on Tuesday 16 November 21 16:03 GMT (UK)
I have a few wartime marriage certificates which has included the service number on it. That may be worth a shot but not always guaranteed
Cliff

As was said earlier -service numbers are not required, if you have a date of birth.
Title: Re: Look up request for RAF records
Post by: Nick Hill on Tuesday 16 November 21 16:08 GMT (UK)
Just had a call from a lovely lady at the RAF archives Cranwell to confirm next of kin etc so fingers crossed the process might me a bit quicker than a year  :)
Title: Re: Look up request for RAF records
Post by: ShaunJ on Tuesday 16 November 21 16:09 GMT (UK)
That was quick !
Title: Re: Look up request for RAF records
Post by: cliffkinch on Tuesday 16 November 21 16:17 GMT (UK)
I have a few wartime marriage certificates which has included the service number on it. That may be worth a shot but not always guaranteed
Cliff

As was said earlier -service numbers are not required, if you have a date of birth.

I was looking for a more expedient route :) Im on month 4 for one request and they have just cashed the cheque
Title: Re: Look up request for RAF records
Post by: Nick Hill on Tuesday 16 November 21 16:19 GMT (UK)
I asked about service number but she said DoB was usually sufficient

They have taken my money already too lol
Title: Re: Look up request for RAF records
Post by: candleflame on Tuesday 16 November 21 16:59 GMT (UK)
Thank you I've applied so see how long it takes  :)

Do let us know how long it takes and also how useful the info in it is once it arrives. They sound like they’re onto it already!
Title: Re: Look up request for RAF records
Post by: Nick Hill on Tuesday 16 November 21 17:08 GMT (UK)
Fingers crossed 🤞
Title: Re: Look up request for RAF records
Post by: Bookbox on Tuesday 16 November 21 20:02 GMT (UK)
Today I received an RAF service record from Sleaford only 3 weeks after ordering, without knowing the service number.
Title: Re: Look up request for RAF records
Post by: johnP-bedford on Monday 29 November 21 11:15 GMT (UK)
Hello.... thanks for that info.... I've been looking for info for Reginald John Fuller who I was told had service no 2221635 and his AIR 78 record confirms this. On his slip there are the initials D.B. do they signify anything? Also could he be the same chap who was Pilot Officer R J Fuller (197671) & promoted to Flight Lieutenant in Jan 1951 as per London Gazette supplement published later that year. 

Also he I want to pursue getting his RAF details from the MOD do I really have to be a relative? and do I need to get his death certificate (as that's going to be unlikely) although I do know of a Reginald John Fuller born 1917 who died 2008.

Regards John 
Title: Re: Look up request for RAF records
Post by: nanny jan on Monday 29 November 21 11:25 GMT (UK)


Also he I want to pursue getting his RAF details from the MOD do I really have to be a relative? and do I need to get his death certificate (as that's going to be unlikely) although I do know of a Reginal John Fuller born 1917 who died 2008.

Regards John


I managed to get an Army service record for my mum's first husband; I did try to find any NOK but several of his family had died in the Blitz. I think some details were withheld but I had birth/baptism/marriage and death details from earlier research.
Title: Re: Look up request for RAF records
Post by: ShaunJ on Monday 29 November 21 11:30 GMT (UK)
Yes 2221635 Reginald John Fuller was commissioned in April 1945 and given the number 197671

https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/37135/supplement/3181

You don't have to be a relative to apply for his RAF records but "you’ll only have access to limited information if they died less than 25 years ago, unless you’ve got consent from their immediate next of kin" and you will need a death certificate.

https://www.gov.uk/get-copy-military-service-records/apply-for-someone-elses-records
Title: Re: Look up request for RAF records
Post by: johnP-bedford on Monday 29 November 21 15:11 GMT (UK)
Thanks for that ShaunJ .... I don't know his date of birth nor a date of death, I only know that he was a British RAF engineering officer attached to a Royal Canadian Air Force crew attached to bomber command out of RAF Tholthorpe, Yorks from Dec 1943 to June 1945.
Title: Re: Look up request for RAF records
Post by: ShaunJ on Monday 29 November 21 16:39 GMT (UK)
Seen this? https://www.facebook.com/BedfordshireFamilyHistorySociety/posts/seventy-seven-years-ago-my-fathers-canadian-air-force-crew-included-one-englishm/4601491686552912/
Title: Re: Look up request for RAF records
Post by: johnP-bedford on Monday 29 November 21 16:49 GMT (UK)
Yes thanks ShaunJ, I'm the one that picked up that request into Beds FHS facebook page.... & been 'talking' to Gus; seems the Reginald Fuller with wife Bessie from Sandy may not be who he's looking for, as the Sandy Reginald John Fuller was a gunner in the Somerset Regiment after he was called up in Jan 1940, as per a local newspaper report. 
Title: Re: Look up request for RAF records
Post by: Nick Hill on Wednesday 08 December 21 11:41 GMT (UK)
Well the records came through via email today so very happy with the service

He was a Aircraft hand/Balloon operator

Also turns out he had been in the Army during the first world war!!

Now on to Medal records to see what he got but I suspect just the standard issue ones

thanks all
Title: Re: Look up request for RAF records
Post by: Nick Hill on Wednesday 08 December 21 13:43 GMT (UK)
So I now have a service number of 992244 for his RAF service and 992200 for his WW1 Northumberland Fusiliers

Still no idea of medal awards?

Any idea where to start

many thanks

Nick
Title: Re: Look up request for RAF records
Post by: ShaunJ on Wednesday 08 December 21 14:42 GMT (UK)
So he had 3 RAF numbers?
Title: Re: Look up request for RAF records
Post by: Nick Hill on Wednesday 08 December 21 14:46 GMT (UK)
Hi Shaun

The records state his RAF number as 992244

It also notes a previous service in the Northumberland Fusiliers with service number 992200

Not sure where you're getting a third number from sorry?
Title: Re: Look up request for RAF records
Post by: ShaunJ on Wednesday 08 December 21 14:56 GMT (UK)
So this is not  2221635 Reginald John Fuller who was commissioned in April 1945 and given the number 197671 ?

Are we back to Harry Price?
Title: Re: Look up request for RAF records
Post by: ShaunJ on Wednesday 08 December 21 15:05 GMT (UK)
No WW1 medals for 992200. Presumably this was brief service circa 1919-20? 

No WW2 medal rolls online as far as I know.
Title: Re: Look up request for RAF records
Post by: Nick Hill on Wednesday 08 December 21 15:27 GMT (UK)
Thanks Shaun

Sorry the Fuller was another poster

Many thanks Nick
Title: Re: Look up request for RAF records
Post by: ShaunJ on Wednesday 08 December 21 15:41 GMT (UK)
It's very confusing when people hijack others' threads with their own queries about different people!