Deciphering RAF Records

Discussion in 'The War In The Air' started by SteveLunt, Jul 26, 2020.

  1. SteveLunt

    SteveLunt Active Member

    Hello, not sure if in the right place so apoligies if not

    I recently recieved my Great Uncles Service Records from the RAF and dont really make much sense to me
    Casualty Details | CWGC
    I know he was KIA in the raid on La Chappell he was in Lancaster ND748 OF-M, I would love to see a pic of this plane if there is any in existnce)

    I have his personal diary and in it he references 61 and 619 Squadron, I know he died under 97 Squadron but he only joined them end of March 1944 (according to his diary

    According to a newspaper report, he flew in at least 3 missions, and he also mentions in his diary about being briefed for the Raid on Leipzig in Feb 19 1944

    I have attached his records here, in the hope that someone can decipher them

    he is Sgt Denis F Rimmer , 1673522


    Kind Regards

    Steve
     
  2. PeteT

    PeteT Senior Member

    As a quick start point (as my dinner is nearly ready)

    Enlistment
    3 Recruits Centre

    Training
    3 Recruits Centre
    18 Recruits Centre
    3 School of Technical Training
    4 School of Technical Training
    Attached to ?
    1661 Conversion Unit
    51 Base
    1661 Conversion Unit
    51 Base

    Operational Squadron
    97 Squadron
    Missing
    War Casualty
    Death Presumed
    Killed in Action

    He appears to have been mustered as a Trainee Wireless Operator and then remustered as a Flight Mechanic, before qualifying as a Flight Engineer
     
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  3. SteveLunt

    SteveLunt Active Member

    Thank you

    Is there no mention of any missions then ?

    I got incredibly little in terms of records, basically this piece of paper a smaller copy of it and another one with his age height etc on it
     
  4. PeteT

    PeteT Senior Member

    Last edited: Jul 26, 2020
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  5. SteveLunt

    SteveLunt Active Member

    Thanks, the 97 squadron have these transcribed on their website, or certainly a number of them

    I have looked at these before and I could only find his final flight (and I think his first) with 97 Squadron, he mentioned in his diary about going to 61 and 619 Squadron, 2 days before being briefed for the raid on Leipzig, I downloaded the ORBs for those squadrons for the dates in his diary and he isnt listed that I could find

    It was the end of march according to his diary he went to 97 Squadron, the newspaper cutting states he was missing in action on his 3rd raid, and in Jan 1944 was recommended for a commision
     
  6. PeteT

    PeteT Senior Member

    As you know, there is no postings to these squadrons in his service record and a posting from 4 SOTT to a Conversion Unit to an Operational Squadron was the standard route for a Flight Engineer ..... so I am not sure what to make of the diary entries.

    Regarding his attachment: I think this relates to what was known as a Maker Course, where FE's were attached to a manufacturer for a week (or two) to gain detailed technical information regarding the aircraft they were scheduled to fly in (so possibly Avro)

    A couple of other observations:
    • Based on my research to date, very few Flight Engineers were commissioned, so this adds to the confusion
    • Having just seen the newspaper article that you refer to (in another of your postings) it suggests that he qualified as a FE after eight months, which doesn't tie in with his service record .
     
    Last edited: Jul 27, 2020

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