WAAF Postings

[Lizalex]

Thank you everyone who helped me with this. I think I have it all worked out now. I still have not been able to upload a smaller file showing the header on the document, but it is typed and I can decipher it. I’ve been having some broadband problems and sincerely apologise for not replying sooner to Max and Henry. Thank you both.

Liz

[rafcommands]

Stirling
Res
Innsworth

was a standard sequence you find in most war time records.

Stirling was where she was attested - in this case probably a combined recruitment centre (CRC). At this point she has officially entered service but had to await an entry course starting at the Recruit Centre (Innsworth - WAAF Depot) so she was placed onto the Reserve List to wait.

Ross

[Lizalex]

Many, many thanks, Ross. You have completed the last part of the list and I really appreciate it.

Liz

[bobyoung]

I am researching my mother's war service in the WAAFs.  I have her service records and can interpret most of these but I am having trouble with two what appear to be personal designations - "SEW" and "SEA".  She worked on barrage balloons and parachute packing and also had a posting to "9076 SE" on 8 December 1943, which I cannot identify.  Can anyone help?

[rafcommands]

No.9076 Servicing Echelon - this was a formation that provided 2nd and 3rd line servicing facilities for a number of squadrons on a main aerodrome and it's associated satellites.

If the SEW and SEA are circa 1943 then it usually demotes Stores Equipment Worker and Stores Equipment Assistant

 If later when the above trade descriptions were declared obsolete then it could be Safety Equipment Worker and Safety Equipment Assistant but these were more post war.

Ross

[bobyoung]

Thanks very much for your speedy response.  The acronyms make sense as mum was a parachute packer after working on barrage balloon.

Thanks also for the info on 9076.  Did this have a location?  Mum's is designated 9076 SE.  She was based at RAF Blackbushe just before this and then moved to RAF Holme in Yorkshire.

[rafcommands]

Ok - the servicing echelons complied with a standard numbering system.

the 9000 series was associated with Bomber Command and 9076 was associated with No.76 Squadron Bomber Command

From June 1943 this was based at RAF Station Holme-on-Spalding Moor with surrounding Satellites.

http://www.rafcommands.com/forum/showthread.php?3546-Ground-service-support-and-base-units

http://www.rafcommands.com/Ross/Bomber/76B.html

Ross

[bobyoung]

Thanks very much, Ross.  That's the final piece in the jigsaw and makes absolute sense as the mother, Ruby, then served at Base 44 (Holme) and then Base 43 (Driffield), before being posted to RAF Kemble, then being discharged at RAF Wythall.

I really am very grateful for your help.

Thanks once again 

Bob

[bobyoung]

Ross

Sorry - one more query.

On 10 September 1943, Ruby was posted to "No. 11 school of technical training" for 1 month (probably parachute packing) and her service record possibly suggests this was at RAF West Raynham, Norfolk.  However, I have also seen references to Hereford.  Can you help?

Thanks

Bob