RAF WW2 service paper query

[vapcq45]

Morning

On the 1st image attached, can anyone kindly tell me what the following means?

W.Op (Air) LEA
F.2171.No.22 ACSB

On the 2nd image, what does the entry under time forfeited mean?

Many thanks
Val

[vapcq45]

I would also be grateful for help with this image too please.

He died aged 19 with all crew when their Lancaster, out on first flight without trainer, went down in the Irish sea when on a sortie.

[Crumblie]

The time forfeited is easy to answer, he had been a naughty boy, the first time his punishment was 5 days confined to camp and the second time it was 10 days confined to camp. Those 15 days would not count to the time he served in the RAF.

The rest I am still looking at.

[Crumblie]

The 3rd image is mostly detailing his traing to become a flight engineer and wireless operator.

3 S of TT is No. 3 School of Technical Training which at the time was at Blackpool

4 S of TT was RAF St. Athan in South Wales, he went there twice

1661 CU is short of 1661 Heavy Conversion Unit, at the time it was based at RAF Winthorpe and trained aircrew who were converting to the Lancaster, Halifax or Sterling bombers as well as people like the one you are interested in.

[Crumblie]

Now the first image. He was recommended for training as a Wireless Operator (Air) as in flying. The LEA I don't know.

F2171. No.22. Is form No. 2171 and he was entry 22 on it. Every form in the military has a number. A.C.S.B. stand for Air Crew Selection Board.

Hope that helps.

[vapcq45]

Oh my goodness this is wonderful information!  Thank you so much.

I thought he might be naughty at some point.

You've answered the locations - so good to know he was at Blackpool and St. Athan and now I can follow these up.  He ended his days with 1661 CU at RAF Winthorpe and as an aside, years later a fishing trawler pulled up the propeller of the Lancaster from the Irish sea and it's now on display at the solway aircraft Museum.

Can't thank you enough!

Val

[Crumblie]

Oh my goodness this is wonderful information!  Thank you so much.

I thought he might be naughty at some point.

You've answered the locations - so good to know he was at Blackpool and St. Athan and now I can follow these up.  He ended his days with 1661 CU at RAF Winthorpe and as an aside, years later a fishing trawler pulled up the propeller of the Lancaster from the Irish sea and it's now on display at the solway aircraft Museum.

Can't thank you enough!

Val

I glad I could help, being ex RAF myself helps but I was part of the modern one. Have you looked at this site https://internationalbcc.co.uk/

You could search for him in the history section and it may give you more information including who the rest of the crew were.

[vapcq45]

Thank you so much - I will definitely look at the link. 

I've been able to research the crew and now have all of their names and details and even a photo of one of them.  I also let the Solway Museum know because they hadn't recorded them all and they have or will be amending their information.

One of the 10 crashes apparently that Autumn - I did read that the Lancaster they were flying had had some compass issues - who knows.  It's good to write his story for our family history though, (Thomas Henry Loftus b 1924).

Thanks again for your expertise.

Val

[WelwynGC1]

Always interesting to read service records and see what they did. A mine of information.

can l just say that this is the place to start with any RAF research, the best site on the net.

That LEA notation, not sure its an E because there is no downward stroke on the left side and its a bit obscured by the line on the document, just a thought. The guys and gals on here are usually great with abbreviations so its unusual to see one not deciphered but sure you will get there.

Great work Crumblie!!

Check out "21 Brave Airmen" which has my Uncles story.

best regards and good luck.

Steve.