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Messages - bill247

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1
World War Two / Re: RAF AMES 504 Dingli Cliff Malta
« on: Tuesday 27 June 17 16:17 BST (UK)  »
Sorry Ross , Wrong station.
   Bill.

2
World War Two / Re: RAF AMES 504 Dingli Cliff Malta
« on: Tuesday 27 June 17 16:00 BST (UK)  »
Ross,
I just remembered a Radar Unit picture I came across .
There was a picture of a Radar Unit on Coldingham moor  which was a CHL.
Do you know if this was Cockburnspath Radar Unit or was that another Radar altogether.?
     Bill 247.

3
World War Two / Re: RAF AMES 504 Dingli Cliff Malta
« on: Tuesday 27 June 17 14:30 BST (UK)  »
Ross,
Thanks as always is never enough with the information you have given,
I was beginning to give up hope that my Fathers R.O.S was correct and that someone had got it wrong .
I did remember years ago my Father always mentioned only 2 places he was at during WW2 and that was Drem and Malta.
I have to admit that I was a little disheartened when I learned that there was no training facilities at Drem and it was a case of where did my Father train if not at Drem.
However I have been as usual uplifted again by the rootschatters enthusiasm and I will someday travel from Glasgow over to Drem and onward to the CHL area at cockburnspath.
Again Ross my sincere grattitude for all your assistance.
       regards
        Bill.

4
World War Two / Re: Help interpreting RAF WW2 Service Records
« on: Tuesday 27 June 17 14:15 BST (UK)  »
Ross,
Thanks again for your time .
Very informative and a great help.
Much appreciated.
   Bill.

5
World War Two / Re: Help interpreting RAF WW2 Service Records
« on: Tuesday 27 June 17 12:47 BST (UK)  »
Hi Ross, Thank you so much for your assistance in interpreting some of my Fathers R.O.S.
I had not came to the conclusion of my Father doing bench work possibly at No 3 Signals unit at  Helwan after spending almost 3 yrs Radar op in Malta. The other part that baffled me was his movement after returning from Malta & Helwan. Dollarbeg house was the HQ of the Radars initially then it was all moved to Bunchrew House in Inverness and my Father was there on 3 occasions ranging from a few weeks to his last posting there to almost a year. I had a researcher Mr Thomaselli at Kew check it out , however unless you were above the higher ranks you got no mention and he believed that my Father possibly did a clerical job as this was a Radar HQ for Scotland & N.Ireland.
I was also baffled by them sending him to RAFWarren Signal unit for a few weeks , I can only think that he was there either for a course or as relief operator. Anyhow Ross , I can only say a Huge thanks for your time and effort to try and get my Fathers Record of Service sorted out for me.
Before I finish , don't know if it means anything but in the column marked reason  a HH was marked beside RAF Drem.
I am very grateful for your assistance.
     Regards.
       Bill 247

6
World War Two / Re: RAF AMES 504 Dingli Cliff Malta
« on: Tuesday 27 June 17 12:21 BST (UK)  »
Hi Ross,
Thank you for your reply to my appeal for assistance.
I know that there was a COL at Cockburnspath , However I presumed that it was maybe to far to travel to get to work so to speak ,  As I said to Imber I received my Fathers Record of Service from
RAF Cranwell and there was no mention of any training on it , I sent it back asking for some clarification on various on the whole record if they could . Back it came and between My Fathers enlistment at RAF Padgate and RAF Drem was these words  , initially meant for GD , Then set to RAF Drem to train as Radio Op.  I had emailed East Lothian at War and also Yatesbury Association and both mentioned that there was no training facility of that nature at  Drem, Imber also mentioned Dirleton Radar as possible training , however not sure if that was a COL Unit as after these Two bases my Father was sent to Malta from NOV 1940 ---  April 1943 on No 504 COL AMES type 5 Radar at
Dingli Cliff.
Again thank you so very much for this post and the other post on the WW2 very much appreciated information .
Kindest Regards
   Bill247

7
World War Two / Re: RAF AMES 504 Dingli Cliff Malta
« on: Tuesday 27 June 17 12:03 BST (UK)  »
Hi Imber ,
Thank you very much for your email reply .
I had considered Dirlleton Radar before , However I had no idea that Dirleton was operational before around 1943 when it became a GCI unit.
My problem was that on my Fathers Service record all that is mentioned was that after his enlistment at RAF Padgate near Warrington was RAF Drem no mention of Radar Training , I sent his record back for some clarifications and when it came back there is writing which said Initial G D then sent to RAF drem  to train as Radio op.  I was told by the people from Yatesbury Association and East Lothian at War that there was no training facilities at Drem which I believe is correct which left me with a dilemma as to what my Father did at RAF Drem for about 6 weeks and if he did not train at Drem was he trained in Malta which is where he spent. Most of his Radar time Nov 1940-- April 1943.
Any how thank you for your assistance and your time.
  Regards.
    Bill 247

8
World War Two / Help interpreting RAF WW2 Service Records
« on: Monday 26 June 17 15:08 BST (UK)  »
Hi , It's Bill 247 here and I am wondering if someone could assist me . I have my Late Fathers RAF service record and I need a helping hand . My Fathers name was William Crawford and No 1007047.
RAF Padgate enlisted here  ,   Was recommended for GD then sent to RAF Drem for training as Radio Operator.
RAF Drem till 27/08/1940 moved to 13 MU RAF Henlow till 9/9/40 then moved to Malta arriving 10/11/40
RAF No 504 COL AMES Dingli Cliff till 21/4/43. Moved to Ames reserve pool RAF Helwan Cairo then to No 3 Signals Unit also at RAF Helwan till 1/9/43 then home embarkation on 1/2/44
After H. E.  22/2/44 moved to No 72 wing Dollarbeg house HQ of Scottish Radar till 8/5/44.
Moved to Bunchrew house Inverness HQ of  Radars covering Scotland & N. Ireland till 13/6/44.
Attached to No 2 recruits centre. Cardington took General Service Training exam here till 13/7/44
Returns to 70 wing HQ at Bunchrew house Inverness till 3/ 10/44
Attached to RAF Warden Signals Station Pembroke till 18/10/44
Back to 70 wing Bunchrew house Inverness till 10/10/45
Moved to 101 personnel dispersal Centre Kirkham Lancashire.

Mustering on his Service form are
ACH/ GD 22/6/40
ACH / Radio Op 5.  31/7/40
Radio op 4 .    15/8/40
RDF OP .  21/5/42.
Radar Op 2. 2/9/43
Rad/ op  (pp1 ). 6/9/52.  Dad was recalled from 6/9/52 till 20/9/52 and was stationed at Radar unit at West Beckham in G reserve. The form No 3576.

His trade column reads.
31/12/40 ACH/opt
31/12/41 R opt
31/13/42 RDF / opt 2
31/12/43 R opt
31/12/44 Rad / Op.

I would like if someone could explain as to how my Father may have been  trained as I believe that there was no training facility at RAF Drem which is where I believed that he was trained to be an RDF Operator on Radar. Also I am not sure but is it possible that he was trained on site at the Radar unit in Malta.

Thank you for taking the time to try and work this all out as a lot of it is still a mystery which I don't think I will ever solve especially the area of Dollarbeg , Bunchrew house as they were HQs for Radar for Scotland / N England and N , Ireland  and there was no Radar units at these locations and I can only think that my Father did some kind of clerical Duties.
I have no idea what he done at the Signals depot at RAF Helwan either.
The only part I have had success is I know where the Radar stood at Dingli Cliff Malta
  Thank you again.
    Bill 247


9
World War Two / Re: RAF AMES 504 Dingli Cliff Malta
« on: Thursday 22 June 17 15:15 BST (UK)  »
Hi to everyone,
It is Bill here again asking for assistance . As most of you will remember I am trying to follow my Late Fathers RAF Service as a volunteer reservist during WW2.  My Late Father served on  Radar No 504 Ames in Malta during the Seige from November 1940 till April 1943 .    I am trying to find out as to where he trained in Radar.  He enlisted at RAF Padgate near Warrington on June 1940 for 6weeks and was put down for General Duties , However this was changed and he was sent to RAF Drem near Edinburgh to train as a Radio Operator . This was the name given to Radar Ops before Radar was mentioned.   I have emailed people from EAst Lothian at War and also Yatesbury Association who tell me that there was no training area at RAF Drem yet it is on his Service record and he was at Drem for almost 7 weeks. I have tried the air historical branch who could offer no assistance. Any assistance would be gratefully received.
  Thanks again to the rootschatters for previous assistance.
       Bill.

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