RAF WW2 puzzler

[Lyndafinn]

I have a photo of my Uncle,  Leslie Favill RADLEY in RAF uniform and was told by my parents (I was a child at the time) that he died in the war. To be fair, they could have said died as a result of the war because now I find he didn't died until 4th July 1950, aged 26.   I wrote to the RAF and a lady wrote back to say an initial enquiry had turned up no one of that name (and it's not a common one) but if I pay thirty pounds (which I don't have) they'll look again.  Does anyone know how I could find out more about what he did during the war? I simply want to know where he was based, was he ground crew or flying and so on.  Any advice would be much appreciated

[fastfusion]

Someone has created a wonderful list on forcesreunited.org.uk   that suggest a Leslie Radley was at Royal Air Force Melksham 1942 - 1947
but u are saying there a few Radleys   so its hard to say without getting his personell file
 

[Lyndafinn]

Someone has created a wonderful list on forcesreunited.org.uk   that suggest a Leslie Radley was at Royal Air Force Melksham 1942 - 1947
but u are saying there a few Radleys   so its hard to say without getting his personell file
  

Thanks for that, at least I have another snippet of information.  The site you name seems to have a subscription system and only by paying that, which I can't afford, do you get full details. I'm now puzzled as to why the RAF told me there was no record!   But I do thank you for the above details, it al helps. 

[rafcommands]

The RAF have said that no Leslie Radley with the middle name Favil was enrolled in the RAF.

There is one Leslie Radley listed but he has a different middle name.

You can check this yourself for free by downloading the relevant part of AIR 78 from The National Archives Website.

The list in AIR 78 covers all ORs (other ranks) from 1918 to 1975.

Regards
Ross

[bleckie]

Hi Ross

If you post a copy of the photo on the site you can usually tell by the uniform if he was aircrew.

Could he have been Fleet Air Arm (Royal Navy)

Yours Aye
BruceL

[Lyndafinn]

There is one Leslie Radley listed but he has a different middle name.
[/quote]



It probably won't be my Uncle then, Ross.

[Lyndafinn]

You can check this yourself for free by downloading the relevant part of AIR 78 from The National Archives Website.

Just did this and there's no sign of him. The plot thickens!  I'll see if I can find this old photo I had (or used to have)  Thanks for all your suggestions.

[Lyndafinn]

If you post a copy of the photo on the site you can usually tell by the uniform if he was aircrew.
Could he have been Fleet Air Arm (Royal Navy)

In view of the fact that all I know is what my parents told me - and that clearly inaccurate from present findings, your guess is as good as mine Bruce .  However, I'll seek the photo.

Breaking News:  just been through the family photos and there's no sign of Uncle Leslie. Think maybe Mum threw it out (she did this with a lot of old photos before she died in 1992). So I guess this is where the trail ends.  Many, many thanks for your help Ross and Bruce 

[DeeBoneham]

Hi you might like to have a look at the attached to find out what he might have been up to:
http://robdebie.home.xs4all.nl/me163/melksham.htm

The RAF records are not perfect and sometimes people didnt have all of their names put onto their service records so try just first name and last name and date of birth...Pity your grandparents arent still alive because they could have requested the records for him FOC as next of kin...

Good luck and hope you solve your mystery.
Dee