Which Squadron

[AddictSE7]

My ancestor was in the RAF his name was Francis Ths Tolhurst he was a Seargent 655967, I know he was KIA and is on the Runnymeade Memorial he was killed on 4th Feb 1943.
What I would like to know is what Squadron he was in an how he died,
I'd be grateful for any help

[cath151]

Hi
From RAF death indices

Tolhurst Francis T  Sgt 655967  44 Group
Reference 1943  14/156

Probably possible to get a death certificate using reference but I m not sure what information you will get about his death, whether it would give details or be fairly basic eg KIA

Cathy

[barryd]

His records are presumably with the Royal Air Force. No known grave.
You did not mention where he was from. Presumably from England? There is a Francis Thomas Tolhurst living in Lambeth North in London in 1939 with his wife/mother/sister Beatrice, on the Electoral Rolls 1939. He is possibly born 1914,  Lambeth. Possible mother's maiden name Partridge? I could not find a marriage for Francis Thomas Tolhurst thus cannot identify Beatrice.

A sargeant in a Royal Air Force aircraft could be a Pilot, possibly a Flight Engineer, or more probably an Air Gunner as there were more of them. Possibly was killed over the sea as that means no visible wreckage. Possibly in a four-engined bomber.

[philipsearching]

From RAF death indices

Tolhurst Francis T  Sgt 655967  44 Group
Reference 1943  14/156

In February 1943, 44 Group was part of Ferry Command which flew bombers from factories to airfields.  Sgt Tolhurst may well have been in an aeroplane being ferried from the USA or Canada to Britain.

Hope this helps
Philip

[Spidermonkey]

Not really au fait with WW2 squadrons etc, but Francis was part of the Voluntary Reserves.  Initially the VRs supplied the pilots, observers and wireless operators but whether that was still the case in 1943, I don't know.

[AddictSE7]

Thanks a lot for all your info on Seargent Tolhurst, he was indeed b Lambeth, Beatrice was his mother, I cannot find a marriage for him either

[sharki]

Aircrew in the RAF in the Second World War were automatically given the rank of Sergeant upon qualification in their particular aircrew category. This means that there were sergeant pilots, navigators, bomb aimers,wireless operators, air gunners and flight engineers over most of the various RAF Commands. Once in the air, a sergeant pilot was in command of the aircraft even if there were commisioned officers in the crew. As in everything else, there were a few exceptions to this, as when a crew member who was not the pilot was designated as "Captain of Aircraft.

[DeeBoneham]

I would advise getting his service record   It does cost £30 but it will give you some of the answers you need though it may spur more Heres the link https://www.gov.uk/requests-for-personal-data-and-service-records.  It may take a couple of months but it is sometimes quicker
Good luck and come back to us if you need more.
Dee