RAF National Service Records and Photos?

[Paul Crook]

Hi. Sorry if there is an obvious answer to this somewhere but I am trying to find out some more info about my late father's National Service in the RAF. His name was Alsn John Crook. He was born in November 1929 and passed away in February 2013. He undertook his national service with the RAF from late 1949 to 1951 being based mainly at Innsworth. Is there anywhere I can get more detail re Innsworth (and maybe even trace his records). I can't find any photos of the base from around that time. Is there anything available anywhere? All I know is that he never even saw an aircraft during his two year stint, having been detailed to the pay offices. Any help would be great,Thanks.

[Andy J2022]

If you haven't already found it there's a Facebook group for RAF Innsworth as well as a fairly informative Wikipedia article. RAF service records have not yet been transferred to TNA so You should contact the MOD to request a copy of his record, using this link https://www.gov.uk/get-copy-military-records-of-service/apply-for-the-records-of-a-deceased-serviceperson

Post amended 10.44hrs Thu 29 Jan 2026 to reflect information provided in a subsequent posting

[Paul Crook]

Thank you.

[rafcommands]

His RAF record of service, if an Other Ranks will be at the TNA. It still needs to be processed before showing on discovery. All RAF records marked for transfer have been transferred to TNA now.

If he was commissioned then his Service Record will be with MoD.

Simplest method is to first apply online at .GOV.UK to find where the record is located.

https://www.gov.uk/get-copy-military-records-of-service/apply-for-the-records-of-a-deceased-serviceperson

Full name, date of birth and proof of death are the only info you need to apply - MoD does not need Service Number.

Ross

[Andy J2022]

His RAF record of service, if an Other Ranks will be at the TNA. It still needs to be processed before showing on discovery. All RAF records marked for transfer have been transferred to TNA now.

If he was commissioned then his Service Record will be with MoD.

Ross is absolutely correct.  This was confirmed by Dr Will Butler, head of modern collections at TNA, in a webinar last Saturday. Cataloguing of these records will not be complete until, it is hoped, the end of this year.

[Paul Crook]

Thanks for the replies Andy and Ross. I'll follow it up as soon as I can. Would love to find some photos of where he was stationed so I'll keep looking but not found much so far. Thanks again.