RAF Court Martial Information

[HolmeGrange]

I know my father was Court Martialled in 1941 from the RAF and then re-enlisted some months later, how do I find out about any records of this event?

Many thanks
Regards
Tim Dixon

[fastfusion]

Having read a little about this topic before replying I am going to simply suggest that because your are direct kin  I would construct a polite letter stating your fathers service number and any known information to the Ministry of Defence or the Commanding Officer of the Royal Air Force  under the freedom of information act.  You may have to go online and download an application form from the armed forces site and a small fee may apply for the extraction of such records.   In saying all that I would also attempt to contact Duxford   and see what they have to say interim.   Because the Royal Air Force like all armed forces hold their own legal counsel it may be worthy of finding that department with some googling or phone calls to MOD HQ London......      My father was RAF  and most chaps who were court martialled were involved in air smashes or brawls resulting in death....  minor offences included stealing  and rape....      but until you have a file result   I dont think he committed anything too serious   to be able get re inlistment.....    thats my opinion anyway...  good luck with that.

[fastfusion]

Furthering this    (but they may not be your kin)  were these two entries for the Battle of Britain>>>

Byrne, Edward Leslie "Paddy" W/O BR
 FIUPOW 13 September 1940; Blenheim Z5721 crashed in Channel off Calais during night patrol (circumstances unknown); Flt Lt Ker-Ramsay, W/O George Dixon and Byrne baled out and were captured.[55] KIA 24 July 1943 (Pilot)[55]

Crew, Edward Dixon Fg Off BR 604 Sqn DFC*, DSO*, CB Official Ace, Retired with the rank of AVM. 1917-2002 [92]

[HolmeGrange]

Many thanks...

May 1941 he was Flying Officer J A Dixon,
Then in September 1941 he was signing his logbook as Sgt J A Dixon

[rafcommands]

I fail to see what the Imperial War Museum at Duxford can do or reply to in this matter.

RAF Cranwell where you can obtain the service record would be more appropriate.

Duff information, as is the instruction to write to the Commanding Officer of the Royal Air Force as the closest appointment to this title is HRH The Queen as the Chief of the Royal Air Force. The highest administrative post by a serving officer is the Chief of Air Staff.

In any FOI demand it is expected that you have consulted the publically open records before applying and reply will be tailored as such to exclude this.

In this case I would start by the open Royal Air Force Courts Martial Charge Books for 1941 held at The National Archives.

AIR 43/17 to AIR 43/25 inclusive.

This will give an accurate date, charge and verdict.

Regards
Ross

[bleckie]

Hi Tim

Your best course of action see link below:

http://www.raf.mod.uk/community/support/requestforinformationfromservicerecords.cfm

Yours Aye
BruceL

[HolmeGrange]

Many thanks for all the helpful guidance.

Regards
Tim Dixon