Air Force Lookups - if you need help

[waitara]

Hello Kyt


Flt Sgt Dennis Bensted Smith  b. Kimberley, South Africa in 1917,  joined Rhodesian Air Force

approximately 1940, then with Coastal Command, 500 squadron, RAFVR. He was shot down and killed

over the Bay of Biscay in Sept. 1942. I have not been able to find any information about medals, so would

be grateful for anything you can tell me. Any other relevant information would also be of great help.

Val.

[rafcommands]

Hi,

I do not have information on campaign medal entitlement. You will need a service history to see where he served.

I do have more on the loss of Hudson AM587 if this would be of use.

Regards
Ross

[waitara]

Thanks Ross, information on the Hudson would be of interest.
How do I find Flt Sgt D B Smith's service history?
Val.

[rafcommands]

Hi Val

17/09/42
500 Sqn
Hudson V
AM587

F/Sgt D B Smith
Sgt R Finklestone-Sayliss
Sgt A Young
Sgt R J Wilson

Took off from RAF St Eval

Shot down by Lt K Necesany of 13./KG40 in position PLQ 14W/8933 at 15:37 hrs. Two crew were seen in the water but were not rescued and all are now commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial to the Missing.

To get his service record the closest living relative needs to authorise a Kinship form from
http://www.veterans-uk.info/service_records/raf.html

Without this service record things are difficult but not impossible.

Regards
Ross

[Benn2509]

Hi, I'm looking for any information on my grandfather, Arthur Westwood, who we believe flew in Wellington bombers from India, bombing targets in Burma??
I don't know anything about his RAF career, all I have is a photo of him receiving his wings, about 1942, and the family thinks he was a navigator/radio operator.
He was granted leave from the manchester fire brigade to join the Raf in 1942, and after the war, he gave up a good life in the Raf to go back to the fire brigade, which eventually killed him.
I hope you can find out about him, I would like to know his squadron, where he was based and missions he flew and the planes he flew in.....if possible.
Many thanks in advance.
Benn,

[rafcommands]

Hi Benn,

With over two million men having served in the RAF by the end of 1945 I sad to say that we have much more ready information on those killed than those who survived.

The first steps to narrow the search are ones that only the immediate family can take. A copy of his service record would give all dates and postings from enlistment to demob.

This can be obtained from the RAF at
http://www.veterans-uk.info/service_records/raf.html

Once you have this then the search for operational information comes down to days rather than weeks of work on the individual. Best cross off the easy bits first then concentrate on digging out the more elusive information.

Regards
Ross

[manus]

Hi Kyt

I wonder if you would kindly look and see if you have any information on my uncle his name was Bernard Joseph Mahon Sergeant Royal Air Force 635470,233 Sqdn died on 21.06.1940 Thats all I know about him Thank You.

Regards Manus   

[rafcommands]

Hi Manus,

Your date is a month out.

21/07/40
233 Sqn
Hudson I
N7242

ZS-Z (Coded Z for Zebra)

Op: Strike, RAF Leuchars, Time up 10:29

P/O W L Ather
Sgt J J Crabtree
Sgt B J Mahon
Sgt A W Lamont

Detailed to bomb four mine sweepers from 1.Minensuchflottile and 12000 ton tanker Nordmark in position JZUB4545. The Hudson was shot down at 14:45 hrs by either Lt Eckhardt or Unteroffizier Ladwein of II/ZG76. P/O Ather and his crew are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.

Regards
Ross
Author RAF Coastal Command Losses, Vol 1 1939-41

[waitara]

Hi Ross,
Thanks for information on the Hudson.
I am researching on behalf of a friend who is a relation, but not next of kin to D B smith.
When you say it is difficult, but not impossible, to get information without a service record, just what would be involved?
Regards
Val.