Request for help in understanding Grandfathers RAF military record

Hi,

I recently received my Grandfathers RAF service record from the MOD (form 543), and I would love any help I can get understanding parts that I cannot read due to the handwriting.

I'd specifically really like to understand each of the lines under the Unit assignments, as well as his trades/promotions in the Mustering section. My aim of course is to use this information to learn more about where he was stationed, what work he did, what campaigns he was involved in and of course any specific battles that his units might have been involved in.

You'll see he was 39 at the outbreak of the war, so wasn't a young man. I know he started as part of the 902 Air Ballon Squadron in London (that were responsible for the barrage balloons), and then I think went to RAF Sudbury (??) before being posted to the Middle East and then Malta. I also can see he entered as ACH, being promoted to AC2, AC1, LAC and then... I think... Corporal?

It looks as though he may have also had a run in with CID, based on the 'Time Forfeited' section...? All I can see there are dates, so I'm not sure if anyone will be able to give more context.

Thank you so much in advance!

Matt

 

You summarised most of it. Sign up for a free account at TNA and you can download the squadron ORBs and Appendices for free - the other non AIR27 documents need a visit to view personal or paid researcher.

Signed up pre war to local Auxiliary Air Force unit under AAF conditions of service

No.902 Squadron
Squadron Number: 902 Summary of Events: Y | The National Archives
Squadron Number: 902 Appendices: Y | The National Archives

Initial trade was Aircrafthand General Duties but after probationary period was being trained as a Balloon Rigger

Squadron embodied August 1939 eg manned and deployed as active service unit.

Mid Sept he is re mustered as back to Aircrafthand General Duties.

The unit suffers casualties listed in Air81 while he served
Search results: "902 squadron" | The National Archives

Posted to No.81 Signals wing on formation of unit
Operations record book | The National Archives

Then a few months later posted to Anti Aircraft Flight at Sudbury

At this point the substitution of AAF was underway with WAAF entrants taking over duties to release men.

AAF conditions of service were pre war territorial style and prohibited deployment outside the UK. He volunteered for service abroad (note on front cover) and served at Air Headquarters Malta.

Return to UK and posted to No.1 Signals Depot
1 Signals Depot. Based at White Waltham and West Drayton (UK). With appendices | The National Archives

before
Search results: "No.78 (signals) wing" | The National Archives

and demob
100 Personnel Dispersal Centre, Uxbridge (UK); includes eight photographs of... | The National Archives

Normal progression timebased and re-classification examination through classifications to temporary Corporal.

The CID reference is not time forfiet related , just periodic actions on his record by RAF Records clerk with shorthand notation to say who and what done.

Ross

 

Thank you so much for taking the time to do this, I have downloaded the 902 squadron ORBs and Appendices and will have a read through. It's unfortunate that the photos have been scanned in such low resolution, most of them are very difficult to make out individual people/features due to them being pixilated. I am going to have my mother look through them to see if she can spot her father.

Question: how are you able to determine things like "after probationary period was being trained as a Balloon Rigger"? Does it say that in shorthand on the service record? Or did you have to dig deeper into anything to find out?

What would be the best way to understand his service while posted at Air Headquarters Malta? It looks like he was there for about 2 years.

 

In mustering he goes from ACH/GD to ACH/u/tBR then back to ACH/GD this is the indication of change of trade (u/t is under training).

Other pointers are on the top of the first page ACH/BR is scored out and replaced with GD also on the yearly character assessments on 31 Dec each year his classification/rank increases but trade remains as ACH/GD.

His duties as ACH/GD remained the same no matter where he was posted eg guard duties, fire watch, signing people and equipment in and out at various counters, carry/sort deliver non confidential paperwork - eg all round general janitor type duties enabling the tradesmen to concentrate on their specific duties.

Ross

 

Have a watch of Malta Story


General admin bods around Jack Hawkins and on the airfield guiding Spitfires to pens would be typical of ACH/GDs

All generally based on events
SS Ohio (1940) - Wikipedia

Ross

 

Thank you for all your help. I started watching this with my 15yo daughter last night (she's thrilled!)