Hi all, I've been trying to understand what exactly my grand father was doing during the Second World War. He spent some time in the Far East with the RAF but I have no real details. From what I'm aware he was some form of airfield defense guard, however, I was hoping this service record would clarify what he was doing and where. Unfortunately I really can't work out what most of this means, is anyone able to clarify or explain all the abbreviations? I thought I'd enlist the help of the experts as I really am lost Thanks
Hi Kristian GCI = Ground Control Interept (a Radar Station) PDC = Personnel Despatch Centre AHQ = Air Headquarters RC = Recruiting Centre 15 Group was part of Coastal Command RAFCommands :: Old Forum Archive Groups 10-19_U Aldergrove is near Belfast, Northern Ireland North Coates is in Lincolnshire Milltown is in Morayshire, Scotland One could be either "Station Iceland" or "Station Ireland" MSU will more than likely be Mobile Signals Unit Joined up as a [Admin] Clerk Retrained to Fighter Plotter in 1944 (my old job in RAF) and promoted to Leading Aircraftsman. Lots of useful stuff here about ww2 Air Defence Systems. index If I spot any more I'll add them in bold. Hope this helps Gus
Fantastic! Such useful information already Gus, I couldn't be more grateful Next to clerk it says S.D? I believe that means special duties, do you know what kind of duties that would mean?
SD could be Special Duties but no idea on context. There are many RAF buffs on this forum so they should have the answers. Gus
RAF service records are not my area but - Clerk SD - shows the date he joined [14.10.41] I wouldn't think he would have been assigned Special Duties on his first day ?? I read it as Station Iceland TD
Two basic types of Clerk in the RAF Clerk/SD Clerk Special Duties - authorised to handle confidential information and files - clearance levels above this depended on location Clerk/GD Clerk General Duties - authorised for all non classified infomation and files. Usually signals related bods were SD. This is mirrored in the Officer Branch SD were it was usually Codes/Cyphers and Adjutant retreads tasking. Ross
Thanks for all the information chaps, it's awesome to finally get some kind of picture as to where he was and what he was doing. I really want to find out who he was with in the Far East and by the looks of things that might have been just in 1945. I've also tried googling 154 Wing HQ but can't find any information on the matter.
Hi Whilst the Army kept "War Diaries (WDs)", the RAF kept "Operations Record Books (ORBs)". Every operational flying squadron's ORBs is available online through The National Archives (TNA). Unfortunately most RAF Stations, wings, groups and commands and RAF Regiment ORBs are not yet available online. You can still Search for them using the TNA Discovery search engine and see what comes up. Its a bit hit and miss I am afraid so you might have to try a few times. Here are the two ORBs for 154 Wing ORB. AIR 26/221 and AIR 26/222. Appendices | The National Archives Operations record book | The National Archives If you want to see these you will either have to visit Kew yourslf or ask one of the many chaps on the forum who will copy them for you at a significantly better cost than TNA. Some light reading on history of RAF in WW2. The Royal Air Force, 1939-1945, Volume 1: Fight at Odds, Richards, Denis. London: HMSO, 1953 The Royal Air Force, 1939-1945, Volume 2: Fight Avails, Richards, Denis and Hilary Saunders. London: HMSO, 1953 The Royal Air Force, 1939-1945, Volume 3: Fight is Won, Saunders, Hilary St George. London: HMSO, 1954 Hope this helps Gus
These at TNA might be part of the paper trail Subseries within AIR 26 - No. 154 (GENERAL RECONNAISSANCE) WING Operations record book | The National Archives Reference: AIR 26/221 Description: Operations record book Date: 1944 May- Sept Held by: The National Archives, Kew Former reference in its original department: IIM/C 154/1 Appendices | The National Archives Reference: AIR 26/222 Description: Appendices Date: 1944 May- Sept Held by: The National Archives, Kew Former reference in its original department: IIM/C 154/1A TD
Thanks guys, it's amazing to be part of such a great community full of knowledge. You guys have been incredibly helpful
