Hi, My Grandmother's cousin; Sergeant Alfred Charles William Butler, was a spitfire pilot during the war. I have a letter of his, from January 1945 when he was stationed at RAF Fayid, and a number of photographs of him in his uniform. I have always been intrigued by these, however my family knew very little about what happened to him after this letter apart from the fact that he was killed in May 1945 in active service. When I began doing my family tree last year I started to research what happened to him. I discovered, to my amazement, that he was buried in Kirkee War Cemetary in Pune, India, about 5 minuted drive from my wife's family home! Obviously I went to visit his grave where he had been buried for 70 years without any who knew him visiting him. What I have learned since beginning my research is that he died on 3rd May 1945, whilst he was stationed at Poona (Pune) in India. He was born 7th August 1923 in Southampton to Alfred and Sarah Butler (nee Kennard). He joined the RAF Volunteer Reserves on 27th April 1942. He was stationed in Rhodesia at some point before being transferred to RAF Fayid, where he was trained to fly Spitfires. He was transferred to RAF Poona 27th February 1945 where he was stationed until he died. His service number is 1805516 and his Obit has 'RAF SEAAF' on it. Though I have found out a considerable amount I am still trying to ascertain which squadron/unit he flew in and also what action he was involved in when he died. If anyone could help me find out what he may have been doing when he died, what planes he flew before being trained on the Spitfire or what his squadron he was in I would be extremely grateful. Thanks
good day terryb3.today.10:50 pm.re:lookng for alfie butler's squadron.welcome to the forum.glad you found his grave site.may he rest in peace.regards bernard85
Looking at the Roll Of Honour in your post it seems your man was killed on active service an explanation of which follows. he was most likely not to have been killed during an action with the enemy, if the death was aircraft related then most probably a training accident.
Hi Terry I did find this which may help (or hinder) your search from link - http://www.rafweb.org/Stations/Stations-P.htm RAF Poona No Badge authorised Main units: - No 6 Civil Maintenance Unit (3 Mar 1944 - 20 Nov 1945) No 153 Staging Post (1 Mar - 10 Sep 1945) No 1341 Special Duties Flt (Apr - May 1945) 5 Sqn ( 10 Sqn ( 20 Sqn ( 28 Sqn ( 31 Sqn ( 76 Sqn ( 232 Sqn ( No 33 Glider Servicing Echelon (29 Sep - 25 Oct 1945) No 7005 Servicing Echelon (1 Jun – 15 Dec 1946) No 330 Maintenance Unit (xxx - 15 Aug 1947) No 2 Towed Target Flt, India (1 Apr - Aug 1947) Location Country - Maharashtra, India Lat/Long: 18:34:56N 73:55:11E Height above sea level: 1,942 ft Operational Control: - Notes Today it is known as Lohegaon Air Base. Main Units: - Surplus Aircrew Centre (14 Mar - 15 Jun 1943) Aircrew transit Pool (16 Jun 1943 - 9 Feb 1944) No 5 Det, No 139 Repair & Salvage Unit (xxx 1944 - xxx 1945) Detachments** No 138 Repair & Salvage Unit (xxx 1944 - xxx 1945) No 22 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit (18Feb 1946 - 1 Apr 1947) Links to related sites/pages Aerial photo on Google Maps, TD
