WW2 is this a code

[shelagh67]

Hi

Just found this forum and wonder if anyone can help. My dad and his brother were both in the RAF, my uncle was in the India Bomber command the only clue I have to this information  is a small  Christmas greetings paper dated November 1943 he sent this to dad from were he was stationed,  across the bottom in pencil the word APROLON has been added  dose anyone know what this means

I have posted this  same message on the forum but i think i posted in the wrong place

Thank you
S

[Ruskie]

You can apply for their service records which might help you work out what he was up to:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/request-records-of-deceased-service-personnel

There is a cost of £30 for each service record, but if either man is still living they can apply for their own records at no cost.

If they are deceased and you would like to give their names, someone may be able to help you.

I think there is some information on the National Archives website, though I find it difficult to use:
https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/help-with-your-research/research-guides/royal-air-force-personnel/#3-service-records

You said he sent the Christmas paper with the word Aprolon on from where he was stationed. Where was he stationed?

[Mart 'n' Al]

There was a horse called "Duke of Aprolon".

Martin

[shelagh67]

Hi

Thank you for replying so quickly my dad and his brother are both deceased and both were in the R.A.F but I think James still has living relatives so am shy to enter his name my dad was stationed in Methven Scotland at the time date 14 November 1943 the letter states sender name and address as R.A.F India Command, someone once told me the word APROLON could be some kind of code it seems to have been added after the letter was wrote

S

[matthewj64]

There was a horse called "Duke of Aprolon".

Martin

Following up on Martin's post, the British Newspaper Archive shows many results for a racehorse named 'Aprolon' in the years 1943 - 1947

M

[shelagh67]

 
Hi
Well just had a good laugh to myself I never saw dad place a bet not a gambling man but it seems I was wrong the two of them must have had a sneaky bet, thank you for solving the mystery

Thank you
S

[MaxD]

is it clearly Apronol or could it be (RAF) Asansol, an RAF station in India?

MaxD

[Rena]

Ref your uncle in Comber Command.

Wikipedia has an article which mentions the RAF station but it wasn't for Bomber command. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asansol_Airfield

However, Bomber Command and and the airfield is mentioned in this Document.

https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/documents/Research/RAF-Historical-Society-Journals/Bracknell-No-6-Far-East-Air-War.pdf

[rafcommands]

If it is an Airgraph then yes it is a Code but in the general meaning of a word/abbreviation with clear meaning rather than a cypher designed to obscure understanding.

All Airgraph were written in clear script, up to 230 words on one or both sides and handed back not folded or creased in any way.

It was then photographed in minature by machine along with numerous other Airgraphs and the resulting strip film transported by air rather than the original letter. At destination the film was printed at about 1/4 size and put into envelope for delivery.

For the UK the destination was Army Postal Service, London

So Army Postal Receiving Office LONdon - APROLON

Not where he was stationed but who was handling the mail item. His service record is the only sure fire method to say where he was and when.

Ross