RAF Militia WW2

[J Gom W]

Can anyone advise?  I have an Eric Astin of West Yorkshire listed as RAF Militia but nothing more than that.  How do I start to find out more?  Help VERY much appreciated

[CaroleW]

Where do you have him listed?  If he is an ancestor you presumably have a birthyear for him?

3 births on freebmd for that name - all in W Yorks

WW2 records are still with the MoD so if you want to see his actual service record  please see

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/requests-for-personal-data-and-service-records

If you just want general info as to the work of the RAF  militia in WW2 another RC member may be able to help you

[rafcommands]

The usual place this is seen is on the index cards in AIR78 which are free download from the TNA.

It means that his entry to the RAF was via the Military Training Act 1939
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Militia_(United_Kingdom)

"The term militiaman was briefly revived in 1939. In the aftermath of the Munich Crisis Leslie Hore-Belisha, Secretary of State for War, wished to introduce a limited form of conscription, an unheard of concept in peacetime. It was thought that calling the conscripts 'militiamen' would make this more acceptable, as it would render them distinct from the rest of the army. Only single men aged 20–22 were to be conscripted (given a free suit of civilian clothes as well as a uniform), and after six months full-time training would be discharged into the reserve. The first intake was called up, but the Second World War was declared soon afterwards, and the militiamen lost their identity in the rapidly expanding army. "

Nothing sinister just one of the systems to allocate manpower to the services that the treasury maintained and needed accounting.

Found my post on NSA and F in a circle marks
https://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=113665.18

Ross

[J Gom W]

Eric Astin was born in 1911.  I located his birth. He doesn't appear in the 1939 Register and I 've lost him.  I've been told that a photo exists of him in RAF Uniform, but not dated ... hence my query about the RAF.
Will try TNA.  Thank you.

[rafcommands]

There are three Eric Astin listed in AIR78 all have no middle initial.

One is marked F in a circle (1264945)  - entry 1940 and the other two are both Militia

2297070 (late war entry circa 1945 so unlikely for age)

and

1672610 (late 1941/early 1942 at Padgate) - 30 year old unlikely for militia

So needs a bit more from family knowledge to narrow down - and confirmation where the Militia note came from.

Ross

[CaroleW]

You say he doesn't appear on the 1939 register but he does.   As in my reply - only 3 Eric Astin's born in a likely timescale & only one in 1911 who is on the 1939 but not in Yorkshire

Marriage in June qtr 1939 for him to Catherine Oxley in Yorkshire - see www.freebmd.org.uk

Eric died 7th Sept 1967 Sussex & Catherine 13th May 1990 Suffolk.  Both left wills

https://probatesearch.service.gov.uk/#wills

[J Gom W]

Thank you all for your help.  I'd got Eric possibly married to Catherine, as well as his death in 1967.  I hadn't searched far enough afield for him in 1939. 
Now to the RAF and taht photo!