RAF Service Numbers

[IMBER]

My experience of applying for RAF records without a service number is that it can be difficult if the subject has a common name. One example is that of a Flt Sgt John Robinson. We had rank, date and place of birth but two approaches were unsuccessful. Two years later his service number came to light in the address book of a deceased relative and we applied again, this time successfully.

Imber

[Ruskie]

A good result Imber.  .

[redduck26]

Thank you for all your advice.......I have tried finding him on the 1939 register but to no avail. I can only presume that was because he was serving. I know for definite he was serving during WWII but have no idea of the exact dates. His name was William Redford, DOB 17.05.1920. He was born in Bermondsey in London. I have tried numerous sites but am new to family history so am still finding my way. My main reason for this is because he never "bothered" (his words) to pick up his medal/s. Its only as you get older that things like this become more important and you realise you should have asked the questions when you were younger!!!!

I dont know if this will help but I know he served in Palestine and I think I remember him saying he was Leading Aircraftsman.

I am very grateful for all your help and pointers and as I have other members of the family that were in the military then in future I know which direction to go in. 

[MaxD]

This thread appears to have conflated two related but separate issues.  One is finding an airman's (in this case) service number and the other is obtaining a post 1920 service record.

While there may be the odd case like Imber's of more than one attempt, even with lots of details, to obtain a record, the lack of a service number should not inhibit one from applying with the details you have. 

The National Archives files referred to do indeed provide some information but, as Ruskie has observed, detail is scant and a common name will provide a myriad of possibilities.

Searching the relevant document AIR/78/132 for William Redford, throws up, with their service numbers:

WK Redford
WC ...
William.....
William James...(2 of them)
William Albert Hector.
William Edmund...

Redduck26 - do you think you can be sure which is your man?  If not, I would suggest you go ahead and apply for his records anyway as Ruskie has already advised. Quoting the wrong number that the disclosures people will then not be able to match to the date of birth leaves you no better off.  Whether you could quote them all as possibilities - don't know.

Alternatively, perhaps Mark G will come back to the thread with the number now you have posted the name and date of birth you will have the success that Ellen reports?

maxD

[Ruskie]

An update of the progress of this search I'm sure would be welcome. Threads can tend to "go off the boil" if they are left too long with no responses. It is a shame that Mark and redduck (though online today) have not returned to this thread.

I am interested to know if any of the William Redfords on the list supplied by Max seem likely?

After being lauded by Ellen I was looking forward to Mark sharing his searching technique with us, so let's hope he returns soon. 

[Kiltpin]

Thanks, Mark G. Just followed the link you gave and found a bunch of 'Whannells'

There aren't that many in the world so at least one of them must be from my family. Thanks again.

Regards

Chas

[Ruskie]

Thanks, Mark G. Just followed the link you gave and found a bunch of 'Whannells'

There aren't that many in the world so at least one of them must be from my family. Thanks again.

Regards

Chas

You're lucky to have such an unusual name. I just checked for one of my RAF men and there were 126 results. As I was scrolling through the pages looking for the right letter I noticed some with just initials. 

[davidft]

Can i jump in here and ask a possibly related question.

Question: If someone was a civilian before WWII but during the war went to Egypt to help build airfields would they have a war number, possibly a RAF service number?

(I don't know in what capacity they went to Egypt i.e as a civilian or as an armed service member)

[Kiltpin]

Can i jump in here and ask a possibly related question.

Question: If someone was a civilian before WWII but during the war went to Egypt to help build airfields would they have a war number, possibly a RAF service number?

(I don't know in what capacity they went to Egypt i.e as a civilian or as an armed service member)

Civilians were never given a Service Number.  They might very well have a payroll number from the people who employed them (might be the Air Ministry or War Office), but once the employment stopped any paperwork would soon be destroyed.

Regards

Chas