Air Force Lookups - if you need help

[kyt]

Hi Ike,

I've also done a thorough search of the CWGC, Flight magazine, and The Times, but to no avail. Have you looked in the overseas death registers? If not, someone may have access to them here, or ask on http://www.rafcommands.com/forum/index.php

K

[ike]

thanks all i have of him is his birth cert and a ww1 pic.
any way thanks for your help
fran

[Bad_Angel32]

Hi KTY

I was wondering if you could help me my grandfather worked for the RAF in ww2 as an enginer and i have been trying to find out info on him as there have been family rumers that he was at pearl harbour and was sent to the baharma's to recoup but i can not find any info on the RAF being at pearl harbour.
i would be most greatful if you have any info that could shed some light on the old rumer
oh... my grandfathers name was frances Eaglestone RAF no: 1265484

Thank you for your time Carrie

[kyt]

Hi Carrie

I have never heard of any RAF personnel at Pearl Harbor during the attack. Until the day of the attack the US was officially neutral and took great pains in making sure that any RAF presence in the country (usually there to either train or buy aircraft) was kept low key. This included personnel not wearing their uniforms in a number of places and always having USAAF "minders". There were a number of personnel on the mainland on the 7th Dec, but not that I know of at Pearl Harbor. I just cannot imagine why they would be there. The family stories may have mixed up the simaltaneous attacks by the Japanese on Malaya/Singapore.

But, of course, I could be wrong. Have you applied for his service records. That would indicate what units he was with, and so locations and missions.

If you apply, then ask for photocopies of the originals:

http://www.veterans-uk.info/service_records/raf.html

K

[Greywolf]

KYT,

First post from a newbie!

Can you help me with any information about 166 Squadron please? Websites, documents, places to go...whatever.

Best regards

Allan

[kyt]

Hi Allan

Unfortunately there isn't much in the way of information on the net that gives more than the barest of info:

http://www.rafweb.org/Sqn166-170.htm
http://www.raf.mod.uk/bombercommand/h166.html

There are a couple of books giving general history, or written by members of the squadron:

Letters from a Bomber Pilot by David Hodgson  ISBN: 042301630X

Bomber Intelligence: 103, 150, 166, 170 Squadrons R.A.F. - Operations and Techniques, 1942-45 by William E. Jones ISBN: 0904597385

On Wings of War: the history of 166 Squadron by Jim Wright. ISBN: 0952847604

Wright also runs (ran?) squadron association:

166 Squadron J W Wright, C.Eng, AMIME, MIE, 4 Parkway East, Kirby Park, Merseyside, L32 2BY

Is there something specific you are looking for?

K

[liverpool annie]

Hi Allan and welcome to RootsChat ! 

Heres a couple of sites that may give you some background ideas .....

No.166 Squadron was first formed in 1918. The Squadron was reformed in 1936 as a heavy-bomber squadron. Just after the outbreak of war 166 became a No. 6 Group training squadron, merging with No. 97 Squadron and SHQ Abingdon to form No. 10 OTU in April 1940.

No. 166 Squadron re-formed in January 1943, at Kirmington, Lincolnshire as a bomber squadron flying Wellingtons and from September 1943, Lancasters.

Airfields at which No. 166 Squadron were based:

Leconfield. Jan 1937 to Sept 1939
Abingdon Sept 1939 to Apr 1940
Jurby. detachment from Feb 1940 to Apr 1940
Kirmington. from Jan 1943

http://www.wartimememories.co.uk/allied/royalairforce/166sqd-raf.html

http://www.wartimememories.co.uk/airfields/kirmington.html

[Greywolf]

Annie and KYT - thank you.

The reason I want information is because I've recently found that my father was a flight sergeant with 166 during the bulk of WWII. I just wanted to know what sort of squadron they were, if they were purely training or whether they were involved in bombing raids,...as much gen as possible.

Dad never spoke of his flying days and, like a fool, I never asked him. Too late now, but any "fleshing out" of the Squadron will be most welcome.

Mr Wright has a phone number at the address given, so I'll contact him.

But any more info would still be welcome!!

[Tony55]

Hi kyt,

I wonder if you could point me in the right direction to find any information on a Sgt J.W.Unett ..service no-638891 who flew with 235 Sqn.
He was killed in action on 27/12/1940 flying in a Blenheim Mk IVF , i've found his CWGC entry and i have his service medals and his entry details on the Battle of Britain site but we'd realy like some more detailed information on any missions he would have taken part in,
Thanking you in advance for any help you may be able to give,
Best wishes, Tony