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General => Armed Forces => World War One => Topic started by: Richard A Pugh on Sunday 05 December 21 20:37 GMT (UK)
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Hi,
Can anyone assist me to decipher an RAF Service Record from WWI please.
I have 8 Movements, and 1 Enlistment item which I currently need help with.
I can, if required give details of the individual and where the record is located on line, if required.
Have attached an enlarged view of the problem area below.
It may assist if I add that the Service Record shows he was awarded both the British War medal and the Victory Medal.
He was enlisted 17 April 1918, and Transferred to the RAF Reserve 30 December 1919.
His record states that he served in France from 5th October 1918 to 27th November 1919.
Regards
Richard
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STHC = Special Transit Holding Camp
RD = Recruits/Recruiting Depot (later Reserve Depot)
H.Q. I.F. = Head Quarters Independent Force
AD/AP = Aircraft Depot/Aircraft Park. Later known as ASD
B.E.F. is normally British Expeditionary Force
http://www.airhistory.org.uk/rfc/abbreviations.html
Tony
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Hi Tony
Many thanks for your response. Also the link to the web site.
Regards
Richard
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The top abbreviation on the 5. 5. 18 is baffling.
I read it as O. T. A. C.
What rank(s) did your man hold in the RAF?
What trade or role did he have in the RAF?
Tony
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I think that this is STHC as on the next line but with more flowery writing.
Regards, Paul
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The top abbreviation on the 5. 5. 18 is baffling.
I read it as O. T. A. C.
What rank(s) did your man hold in the RAF?
What trade or role did he have in the RAF?
Tony
Hi Tony,
I tend to agree with Paul with 5.5.18, to it being STHC, as the next line is "Unit from Which", and states STHC. ????
To your question what Rank/s did he hold.
I have attached a small enlarged section to cover this. I believe the second entry to be Re-classified to AC/2, which I have assumed to be Aircraftsman 2nd Class. However, I cannot read / understand the first entry.
To your question what Trade or Role did he have in the RAF.
He was an Electrician in Civilian Life prior to RAF. His Record, under Trade Proficiency, Lists Electrician. I have therefore assumed that he continued with his Civilian Trade, which would make sense.
Regards Richard
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I think that this is STHC as on the next line but with more flowery writing.
Regards, Paul
Hi Paul
See my reply to Tony on this subject. I tend to agree with you on this. But the Jury is still out.
Regards
Richard
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Hi Richard,
I have been scratching my head over the other abbreviation because I know that I have seen it elsewhere and I think I have the answer...
I reckon that it says 3/AM which I believe is Air Mechanic Class 3.
I am sure Tonepad will be along to confirm or deny my thoughts.
Regards, Paul
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Hi Guys,
You seem to be making good headway with my questions so far, so I have a couple more, that tend to follow on.
1. Movement dated 14.8.19, states "From Hosp", the previous one stated "To 3AD". ?????
From Hosp. suggests he was injured, and Hospitalised?, does this stack up?? Or, as an Electrician could he have been working there???
2. On the Back page of his Service Record under "Time Forfeited", enlarged section attached.
It suggests to me that for some Misdemeanor, he was docked 2 days pay????.
But I don't understand the "Pay RW" in the Cause column.
Any suggestions please.
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Hi Richard,
I have been scratching my head over the other abbreviation because I know that I have seen it elsewhere and I think I have the answer...
I reckon that it says 3/AM which I believe is Air Mechanic Class 3.
I am sure Tonepad will be along to confirm or deny my thoughts.
Regards, Paul
Hi Paul
That sounds quite a likely answer, as you said we can wait to see if Tony agrees.
Thanks, Regards
Richard
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I think that this is STHC as on the next line but with more flowery writing.
Regards, Paul
Now you have pointed out the flowery writing, Paul.
I agree.
Tony
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Hi Richard,
I have been scratching my head over the other abbreviation because I know that I have seen it elsewhere and I think I have the answer...
I reckon that it says 3/AM which I believe is Air Mechanic Class 3.
I am sure Tonepad will be along to confirm or deny my thoughts.
Regards, Paul
Hi Richard & Paul
Note the difference in Rank structure from 1918 to 1919:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAF_other_ranks
Tony
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"From Hosp. suggests he was injured, and Hospitalised?, does this stack up?? Or, as an Electrician could he have been working there???"
Hospitalised seems more likely - does his Service Record have his Medical History with an entry corresponding to the From Hosp entry?
Tony
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Hi Richard,
I have been scratching my head over the other abbreviation because I know that I have seen it elsewhere and I think I have the answer...
I reckon that it says 3/AM which I believe is Air Mechanic Class 3.
I am sure Tonepad will be along to confirm or deny my thoughts.
Regards, Paul
Hi Richard & Paul
Note the difference in Rank structure from 1918 to 1919:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAF_other_ranks
Tony
Hi Tony,
Many thanks for that link, No Promotion, just a realignment of ranks, but superbly explained.
Many thanks guys
Richard
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"From Hosp. suggests he was injured, and Hospitalised?, does this stack up?? Or, as an Electrician could he have been working there???"
Hospitalised seems more likely - does his Service Record have his Medical History with an entry corresponding to the From Hosp entry?
Tony
Hi Tony,
Under the Casualties, Wounds, Campaigns, Medals, Clasps, Decorations, Mentions, Etc. Section, it only lists his time if France, 5.10.18 to 27.11.19. and,
His Medals BWM & VM. No mention of any Wounds etc.
Under the "Medical Boards" Section, it records"Not stated F.S. 78, and separately "Cat. A".
I can see no other medical related comments.
Regards
Richard