I’m interested in a man, Raymond James Martin, who died on Singapore Island, on 29th. November 1943, and is listed on the Singapore Memorial but I don’t think he has a grave. He was, according to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s website, an Aircraftsman 2nd Class, in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.

From what I have read, the fight for the island was over in February so I imagine he either died in Kranji Camp or, perhaps, when building the Burma-Thailand railway though the date of his death seems too precise; someone must have recorded it.

I’d be grateful if anyone has the answers to the following questions.

What was/is an “Aircraftsman 2nd Class”?
What was the “Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve”?
What were they doing in Singapore?
Is there any way of telling on which airfield they would have been stationed during the defence of the island?

I apologise for my ignorance on the subject and would appreciate any help! What I find is the more I learn, the less I realise I know!

Thanks,

John

1) The AC2 was the lowest rank in the RAF, generally Ground Crew, sometimes Air Gunners
2) RAFVR were "Saturday Afternoon Airmen" who put in weekends and maybe an annual camp.
For many Brits in the 1930's it was to many of them a "Club" to join and in the process give some of their time to the country. (Type RAFVR into Google)
3) He would have been sent there as ground crew or Air Crew in a squadron.
4) You would have to find what he was doing, and many groundcrew have very poor record as to their attachments. If he was a gunner you might find him listed in the aicrew? I'm sure there is some association in England which could help.

If you can get them, "A Bloody Shambles vol 1 & 2 " by Brian Cull et al is about the best coverage of the Air War over Malaya

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Whe're off to see the Wizard, the wonderful wizard of OZ - 6 Australian Infantry Div, Bardia January 1941

Thanks Ali,

Just what I was lookung for! I'll see if I can get the book.

Can you suggest any way that I might find out which suadron he may have been in, please? All I have is what the CWGC website gave me and I put in my original email plus, what I didn't give, his service number.

I'll have a look around for some associaiton that may be able to help me, as you suggested.

I'd be grateful for any advice. Sorry it's taken so long to respond to your reply.

Thanks again,

John