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General => Armed Forces => World War Two => Topic started by: Nick Hill on Tuesday 16 November 21 09:43 GMT (UK)
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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Thanks Shaun 2 less to check :)
Does the large F on the records signify anything?
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"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/
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Cool thanks
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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
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Thank you I've applied so see how long it takes :)
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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
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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.
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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 :)
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That was quick !
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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
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I asked about service number but she said DoB was usually sufficient
They have taken my money already too lol
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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!
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Fingers crossed 🤞
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Today I received an RAF service record from Sleaford only 3 weeks after ordering, without knowing the service number.
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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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Seen this? https://www.facebook.com/BedfordshireFamilyHistorySociety/posts/seventy-seven-years-ago-my-fathers-canadian-air-force-crew-included-one-englishm/4601491686552912/
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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.
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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
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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
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So he had 3 RAF numbers?
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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?
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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?
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No WW1 medals for 992200. Presumably this was brief service circa 1919-20?
No WW2 medal rolls online as far as I know.
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Thanks Shaun
Sorry the Fuller was another poster
Many thanks Nick
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It's very confusing when people hijack others' threads with their own queries about different people!