Air Force Lookups - if you need help

[kalasira]

dear kyt,
thank you for replying so soon, i am going to find all the picture,s i have then i will get back to you to-nite,the only thing i can remember my dad saying was he was taken of being a pilot,cos when he would land he was to fast,and would damage the planes,that is why he became a bomb aimer,how true that is i will talk later,
thanks Jacquie.

[sarahcat]

Hello,

I am trying to find out about my grandfather's service history with the RAF.

His name was George (Duff) Nisbet and he was definitely stationed at Scampton in August 1940, as I have his marriage cert. This also includes his RAF number and his position:Sergeant Observer.It seems that he went on to fly Lancasters(or perhaps he was still an Observer?)in the early 1940's.The timing has lead me to think that he may then have been part of 83 Squadron(especially as he was Scottish and I believe the squadron had Scottish links?)

I am aware that I can write to the RAF for info on his service hist, but initially I was just wondering if there is anything else I can find out independently-so far I have not found anything on the Web.Would like to confirm his squadron number for starters....

Any help would be much appreciated.

Sarah Green(formerly Nisbet)

[kyt]

Hi Sarah

I will have look around. Could you let me have his service number - you can pm me if you prefer.

Just one point - apart from national air forces (RAAF, RCAF, RNZAF, etc) there is no direct link between a persons origins and a squadron's possible local associations.

k

[sarahcat]

Hello Kyt,

Many thanks for your quick reply. His service number was 580377.Thanks for the point about origins and squadron associations. (Should have added before-though it may not be of any use-but he did survive WW2 with no injuries as far as I know!)

Sarah

[kyt]

Hi Sarah

Just found out that he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal on 22 November 1940:

580377 Sergeant George Duff NISBET, No. 83 Squadron (so good guess on 83 Sqdn but it wouldn't have been for geographical reasons) I will ask if anyone has a citation.

He was promoted to Warrent Officer between then and Feb 1942, and the promoted to Pilot Officer on 5th February 1942 (service number changed to 47822).

Promoted to Flying Officer on probation (war subs.), on 1st Oct. 1942

Promoted to Flight Lieutenant (war subs) 5th Feb. 1944

Seems he stayed in the RAF after the war as his service was extended by four years, as a Flight Lieutenant, 29th May 1947

Reversion to reserve in 1952 (effectively retired)

These are his promotions but will look around to see if I can find anything on his service

K

[David Layne]

Good job as always Kyt.  This thread warrants sticky status.

I would imagine that 83 Squadron was operating Hampdens at the time Nisbet got his DFM. 

I believe Guy Gibson would have been at the squadron at that time also.

In September 1940 when serving with 83 Squadron John Hannah became the R.A.F.'s youngest recipient of the V.C.

[sarahcat]

Hello Kyt,

Wow!thank you so much-my Dad (George's son)will be so chuffed, as sadly,he had no contact with George from his early childhood onward -so of course he never got to ask him about his time in the RAF.We know that George himself lived until the 1970s though...

Many thanks again,
Sarah

[kalasira]

HI David.
i noticed that you mentioned an john Hanna,do you no where he was from the reason i am asking is because,a friend of my mum,was killed and was a gunner,called thomos Hanna i think he might have had a brother,the paper clipping i have is very worn.i also have a other message to send you but i would rather send it as an e-mail as i have to be careful how i word it,all the best Jacquie.

[David Layne]

Jacquie, John Hannah was from Paisley in Scotland.