Author Topic: RAF Service Record  (Read 1267 times)

Offline IanBrooke

  • RootsChat Extra
  • **
  • Posts: 12
  • Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
    • View Profile
RAF Service Record
« on: Friday 14 March 14 19:46 GMT (UK) »
Hi,
I have been studying my late mother's WWII RAF service record and have noticed something I do not understand.

I have Form 543 - 2 large brown sheets.  On sheet 2 (which may be the reverse of page 1) is a column headed "Occ. M. Qtrs".  I am guessing that this means Occupying Married Quarters.  Is this correct?

This column is empty apart from one entry sometime in 1942/43 which has a circle with a dot in it.  What does this mean? 

The same row as the circle/dot has in the date column "5(P) AFU".  I believe that AFU means Advanced Flying Unit, but what is 5(P)?

If she is occupying married quarters can I assume that she is married?  Page 1 contains nothing in the Marriage box and next of kin is her mother.

Thank you for any help on this puzzle.  If we do not know a definitive answer, is there anywhere that I can go to for an answer?

Ian

Offline rafcommands

  • RootsChat Senior
  • ****
  • Posts: 404
  • Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
    • View Profile
Re: RAF Service Record
« Reply #1 on: Friday 14 March 14 20:15 GMT (UK) »
No.5 (Pilot) Advanced Flying Unit

The pre war WAAF quarters were limited due to the small number of single WAAFs posted to a station.

Wartime substitution saw an increase of WAAFs beyond the space in the WAAFery.

To provide accommodation surrounding houses and un-used MQ were used to pack several WAAFs into each room.

Hence she was billeted in MQ as a single woman.

Regards
Ross
Sea Losses of RAF Aircraft 1918 to date.

RAF Coastal Command 1939-45.

Between the Wars RAF Officers and Warrant Officers.

Offline IanBrooke

  • RootsChat Extra
  • **
  • Posts: 12
  • Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
    • View Profile
Re: RAF Service Record
« Reply #2 on: Friday 14 March 14 20:54 GMT (UK) »
Thank you Ross, that's very interesting.