Hello This topic is really outside my sphere of knowledge. There is an RAF officer in WW2 whom I have good & logical reason to believe is my biological father. He died 1944 with the rank of Squadron Leader. I was born in 1941 and obviously have limited years left. I need to try to prove he is my father, or indeed not as the case may be. What is the best route for me to pursue from now on please. I know what the policy is but...... Thank you for any help you can give. Martin
Hello Martin, have a look at this link, it might give some guidance....... http://ww2talk.com/forums/topic/18810-obtaining-raf-service-records-the-rules/
Hello Just resurrecting this Topic. Thanks to all those who replied. The information from the Station records show that the individual I am researching was posted to a Balloon Station, Tichfield, and then posted to another one later, mid 1941. However, his RAF records show he was posted to the Thorney Island Station in 11/1939, then Coastal command in 1/1941, then Thorney Island again in 12/1943. I am a bit confused unless Thorney Island and Coastal Command provided the manning for the Balloon Stations. Can anyone help please? Thanks Martin
Posted to a station does not automatically mean he was located at the station and in a similar manner posted to a unit also does not make him employed on the task of the unit. Posting to a station or unit is usually combined on the service record with a reason eg H, HH, A etc. It may be omitted on a line if it is a continuation of the reason listed in a line or two above. A bod could be attached for a specific time and duty eg training but still be considered part of the parent unit for pay, establishment etc. In a similar manner a bod could be posted for pay/messing etc but living/working out in a remote establishment eg RDF operators initially were posted to a parent RAF Flying station but living out on the RDF station 24/7. A bod could also be posted to a unit as part of a Headquarters reserve. In this case he was not part of the unit establishment but the unit was responsible for his messing, training, equipment etc. RAF personnel assigned to Balloon units could also be serving independent of the Balloon unit in an Air Sea Rescue launch as a marine duties only airman. You need to supply us with more information for us to advise on the myriad of different ways a bod could be assigned. "Thorney Island Station in 11/1939, then Coastal command in 1/1941, then Thorney Island again in 12/1943." Thorney Island was an RAF Unit administered and carrying out Coastal Command duties in Nov 1939 and in 1943 so there was no change to Coastal Command in Jan 1941, this is a misinterpretation of recorded information. Regards Ross
Thanks Ross I attach a scan of his Movements Record 1939-44. This is all the information I have about his movements. Martin
