Hello I am struggling to find the military details of my uncle, Edward William Auckland Born 1924-2008 he was in the raf, pilot Any help would be gratefully received. There are no family members to ask Thank you
A pre-war address can sometimes help identify the subject from genealogy sites for example. Their parents details and any marriage – as some certificates show the subject’s service number. A marriage cert. can be ordered online from https://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/certificates/ Identifying a Service Number helps research, normally it remains with a soldier wherever he goes, (for the Army, not sure about the RAF) except if he becomes or is an officer. His name has not appeared here before. We always recommend applying for the subject's full service record. Yes, it may take a year to arrive - either from the MoD or National Archives (TNA). It is not available online and is the definitive record. There is nothing you can do about the wait. The records were never intended to be read today. Details on how to apply via Private Message (PM) next. There is a massive amount of information, details of books, records here. If you search online with his unit(s) if known or later, so for example: "XXth Anti-Tank Regiment" site:ww2talk.com that may identify threads mentioning them, at a glance without adding much. If you drop the 'th' more may be found. Searching The National Archives (TNA) for the subject or unit(s) can identify those who were awarded honours / medals and the existence of War Diaries – which rarely mention individuals soldiers. They do give context and details of activity. Some are available via Ancestry (££) If you have Service records etc create a document with a table for the dates and events in chronological order first and where the information came from. This will enable you to identify the more important entries first (dates of wounding, promotions, embarkations and disembarkations). You will learn more if you do most of the research yourself, but don't be afraid to ask questions about service record entries and things you come across on this forum. Adapted from Post 4 in: Help researching relative - Ivo William (Bill) SMITH, 42nd Battalion AIF Some research tips next via PM and good luck.
Hello, It appears his service number was 1623686, an NCO number. May come in handy should you decide to obtain his records. Nothing in the London Gazette showing a commission. Regards, Dave
Welcome to the forum Keep it simple apply for his service records Link here read it and it explains everything you need to do Get a copy of military records of service
There are several references on Forces War records to a pilot with his number undertaking training at RAF Fayid, Egypt although one is in the name of DE Greenfield (all in Archive reference Air28-266). Auckland, E W 5 May 1945 Flight Sergeant 1623686 R.A.F. Station, Fayid Pilot Under Instruction, No. 42 Course, R.A.F. Station, Fayid. Transferred from No. 40 Course. Posting From: No. 5 (M.E.) A.R.C. Primary Unit: Royal Air Force Secondary Unit: A.H.Q., Eastern Mediterranean Auckland , E W 6 May 1945 Sergeant 1623686 R.A.F. Station, Fayid Pilot Under Instruction, No. 40 Course, R.A.F. Station, Fayid. Arrived, posting instructions awaited. Primary Unit: Royal Air Force Secondary Unit: A.H.Q., Eastern Mediterranean Auckland , E W 25 May 1945 Flight Sergeant 1623686 R.A.F. Station, Fayid Listed in Wastage Report for No. 42 Course. Suspended (air sickness). Posted C.M.B. 02/06/1945. Full Name: Greenfield, D E 21 Jul 1945 Pilot Officer 1623686 R.A.F. Station, Fayid Listed in Wastage Report for No. 42 Course. Suspended from flying training. Posted A.H.Q. Eastern Mediterranean 27/07/1945. Auckland , E W 23 Jul 1945 Flight Lieutenant 1623686 R.A.F. Station, Fayid Listed in Wastage Report for No. 42 Course. Suspended from flying training (air sickness). Proceeded to C.M.B. 28/07/1945. Forces War Records also show: Auckland, Edward William They enlisted at Cardington. They joined after October 1941. 1623686 Royal Air Force Archive Reference: Air 78 6 2 Auckland, Edward William in UK, Royal Air Force Nominal Index of Airmen and Airwomen, 1918-1945 - Forces War Records Travers
I would treat those entries with care and file under fiction along with Northern Rail Timetable! Demoted F/Sgt to Sgt in a day Back to F/Sgt in 20 days Pilot Officer in 2 months without changing OR service number P/O to F/Lt missing out F/O rank in 2 days still without changing OR service number. Ross
Hello, AIR78 at Kew. Attwood, Raymond Charles - Austin, Francis Williams. | The National Archives He shows as the only person with that name to serve in the RAF between 1918 and 1975. As these are extremely large files you only want to download the section with your subject in it. AIR-78-6-6_01 pg 58 of 77 So you know there is no further information on these scanned sheets other than full name and service number. I don't know what the initials "BT" stand for. Regards, Dave
