Understanding WW2 RAF Records.

[Lauramuppet]

Hello,

I recently applied for my Grandfather's war record and there are a few bits I don't understand......

I can read that he joined up in Cairo and joined '103MU' Not sure what that is but his trade was a ACH (Aircrafthand?) then a FMT (some sort of mechanic?) I can then see that he was in hospital but then he moves to 114MU and this is the bit I am unsure about also...he then goes to 4 MY BD (Bomb disposal?!) Isn't that a bit of a jump from being a mechanic? Cannot find any references to the above.... How do I decipher the codes?

After this he seems to have a tour around England (31.3.45) visiting Warboys, Oakington, Hinton on the Hedge, back to the Middle East (30.5.46) to something called 22 PTC then 4REC then I think back to the UK (19.9.46). Also....what do the reasons mean? When he leaves for England reason 'c' or could be an 'e' is given then below is reason 'b'. Any suggestions?

Finally - on the front page - it mentions 'Annual Filming '44' any ideas? Or was this fairly common?
Thanks in advance........!

[sheldonesque]

MU = Maintenance Unit (maintaining and repairing aircraft)
ACH = Aircrafthand
FMT = Form Motor Transport (a military driving licence)
MY BD = ? could it be MT RD? Motor Transport Repair Depot
PTC = Personnel Transit Centre
REC = ? Not the usual acronym used but I believe that should be RC - Reception Centre, where he would have been demobbed.

Annual filmings were when personnel records were photographed for storage.

[sheldonesque]

Addendum: I think I am wrong about REC. It is more likely to be Release Embarkation Centre

[Lauramuppet]

Thanks - thats really helpful.

The '4 MY BD' could be 4 M1 BD OR 4 4MI BD' Doesn't look like a T though. Having said that I cannot understand half of it so who knows.

None of it is clear to me - tried to upload a picture of it but it keeps saying error..

On the qualifications bit it looks like he also did a radar course? I also have some fantastic aerial photos that he left when he died and his passport that shows plenty of wartime stamps.

[philipsearching]

Could you scan and attach the relevant part of the document to a post?  It may help to have fresh eyes on the handwriting for the mystery "MY BD" to see if there are any other possibilities.

All the best
Philip

[Lauramuppet]

Unfortunately it keeps saying 'error' when I try to attach it. Which is a pain.

[philipsearching]

It is possible there is a name conflict.  Try renaming the image to something unusual/unique.

[Lauramuppet]

Hopefully this will work! Or not...still getting an error....

[philipsearching]

Another possibility: if the file is over 500kb it won't get through