RAF / RCAF Service number

[chris_steel]

Hi Everyone,

Was wondering if someone could help me find my Grandfathers Service number. I asked everyone in my family and came out with no luck. Id like to file for his service records but will require his service number before i move forward. I really hope someone can help.

His Name was Robert Steel, Brn 4 oct 1922, Cardiff Wales. During the war, he was part of the RAF ground crew apparently fixing / teaching the mechanics. He was sent to Goderich, Ontario, Canada around 1943. (possibly No. 12 Elementary Flight Training School, operating Finch elementary trainers)  Thats where he met my Grandmother. He then was shipped back to Cardiff around 1944.

Anything would be helpfull at this time.

Thank you so much

[ScouseBoy]

Have you any photographs that he took during his military service?

Or have you any of his medals,  some medals were inscribed with his service number.

I do not think it is possible for anyone on here to find it for you, Unless he was a casualty of war.

[daretodiscover]

Hi,

You can definitely rule out the RCAF service number. It was not RCAF policy to grant Canadian service numbers to RAF fellows who came over for training.

It is also a misconception that the RAF service number is mandatory to obtain a service record.

On their site they merely ask you to fill out the forms as completely as possible:

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

(Look for the RAF ones as the link also has army and RN)

There is a £30.00 charge for them to search for the records and they make it explicit that it is non-refundable.

Should you decide to go that route more questions emerge. Are you his next of kin? Or is your grandmother and/or parents still with us?

If he has been deceased 25 years or more, no need for next of kin permission is required.

The only other option I see, and you haven't given anything but years, would be to locate which draft of men headed for Goderich (a dreadful place - weatherwise, in winter) and you could see what is held by the Library and Archives Canada in Ottawa.

It's all complicated to a degree but do not give up hope. It's not impossible.

[margnip2]

Hi chris_steel I have just received my granddads records and I did not have his service number.  I filled in the form as best as I could and then in the space provided gave as much information that I had.  I think having the address of where he was living when joining is one of the things that would be of most help.  Hope you have as much luck as me and it only took a month for the records to be sent.