Anyone have local Hull knowledge for 1939?

[jillruss]

I'm still looking for my grandfather Robert Arthur Gibson on the 1939 register. He is not with his wife and daughters in Hull.

I spoke to my 90+ uncle at Christmas and he seemed to think Robert might have been in Sutton training to do something war-based. I think he said barrage balloons but he's very deaf.

Any one have any knowledge of such a training camp and if so where it might appear (or not!) on the 1939 register? Robert was born 1892 and was in WW1 and, according to my uncle, very keen to contribute in WW2.

[StevieSteve]

Try googling Sutton training ww2 barrage balloons - comes up with at least a couple of articles

[jillruss]

Thanks for that.

I found some interesting stuff - and it shows I'm on the right track. I think I may have to contact FindMyPast and ask if such RAF bases were included in their Register. I suspect not.

[Lostris]

Lost Cousins site have just published some tips about the 1939 Index - some useful insight into cases like yours ...

http://lostcousins.com/newsletters2/1939special.htm

[Bee]

You may have already found this site, but just in case you haven't
http://www.17balloons.co.uk/

[terrac]

The RAF Base in Sutton is was roughly where the "Bransholme North Point Shopping Centre" is now.  The Bransholme estate was built in the 1960's.

Also try the Sutton Museum.  There's a link regarding the Balloon centre on the left side menu which has a little information and eventually takes you to the link that Bee has posted.

http://www.suttonandwawnemuseum.org.uk/

[jillruss]

Thanks. That was the link I found when I googled (which I should have done from the start but am of the generation that just doesn't automatically thing 'I'll google it!').

Lostris's link has also answered my question - RAF bases are not covered on the Register. So at least now I can stop looking for my grandfather whilst having a pretty good idea where he was.

Thanks to all.

[Guy Etchells]

If you want to see it on a map look at
http://maps.nls.uk/view/100947350

The Balloon Centre is near the bottom left of the map and is named as West Carr North Dairy Farm.
To the right of Evan Fraser Hospital

Cheers
Guy

[jillruss]

Thanks, Guy.