RAF Squadrons

VicMill · #1 (**permalink**) August 7th, 2007, 03:58 PM

Hi

Is there a simple way of finding out where a squadron was based and what planes they were flying?

Also is there a way of finding out which squadron by a man's service number?

I am trying to get some background on some men who were killed whilst serving in the RAF.

Thanks in anticipation

VicMill

Amrit · #2 (**permalink**) August 7th, 2007, 04:44 PM

Two very good online resources are:

RAF Commands 1939 - 1945

Site Map_P

and books:

RAF Squadrons: A Comprehensive Record of the Movement and Equipment of All RAF Squadrons and Their Antecedents Since 1912 by G C Jefford

Fighter Squadrons of the RAF and Their Aircraft (2nd Rev Ed) by John D R
Rawlings

If you know any squadron details then there are specialized books that can be checked. For example I have the 8 volumes of Chorley's Bomber Command Losses, and Frank's 3 volume Fighter Command Losses (as does another member on here). Or theatre of operations or death?

However, a service number may tell you where and when individuals enlisted but not what unit they subsequently served in (though there are exceptions).

A good place to ask is:

<CENTER><img src= "http://www.rafcommands.com/rafcommandsbanner.gif"><BR>

or post the names on here and we'll see what we can do for you. Have you had a look at their CWGC entries and/or searched for details on the London Gazette:

:: CWGC ::
Gazette

VicMill · #3 (**permalink**) August 8th, 2007, 01:26 PM

Thanks for the advice and links Amrit. They've given me some extra information.

I'm researching the men on the local war memorial so far only have the following from the CWGC Debt of Honour:

Sergeant (Pilot) James Body (658465) of 78 Squadron who died 13 May 1943 and who is buried in Haasrode Churchyard.

Flying Officer Richard Harding Stent (124662) of RAFVR 38 Squadron who died 16 February 1943 and who is shown on the Alamein Memorial.

Flight Sergeant (Pilot) Harold Sorrell (1395539) who died 16 May 1945 and is buried in the local churchyard, but the CWGC record doesn't show which squadron, hence the question about service numbers.

I thought the London Gazette was only for officers, or have I got that wrong?

VicMill

Amrit · #4 (**permalink**) August 8th, 2007, 01:41 PM

RE: Sergeant (Pilot) James Body (658465) of 78 Squadron who died 13 May 1943 and who is buried in Haasrode Churchyard.

From Chorley's Bomber Command Losses

Halifax JB873 EY-J
Target - Bochum

Airborne 2329 from Linton-on-Ouse.

Shot down by a night- fighter (Lt Heinz Wolfgang Schnaufer, 11./NJG1) and crashed between Oud-Heverlee and Haasrode (Brabant), two villages 4 km SSW and SSE of Leuven, Belgium.

Sgt G H Dane MiD KIA
Sgt J H Body (second pilot) KIA
Sgt A C P.Minnitt PoW
Sgt R G Goddard Evaded
Sgt L Adams PoW
Sgt J W Pople PoW
Sgt A Beatson PoW
Sgt F W Webb PoW

Goddard received a DFM when he arrived back in Britain:

Quote:

Distinguished Flying Medal.
T333556 Sergeant Ronald George GODDARD, Royal Air Force, No. 78 Squadron.
In air operations this officer and airman have displayed courage and fortitude of the highest order

Gazette: Archive View

Amrit · #5 (**permalink**) August 8th, 2007, 01:48 PM

RE: Flying Officer Richard Harding Stent (124662) of RAFVR 38 Squadron who died 16 February 1943 and who is shown on the Alamein Memorial.

Quote:

Wellington Bomber HD 966 piloted by P/O Ewen McDonald left RAF Shallufa
at 17:30 hours on 16 February 1943, briefed for a mine laying operation
over Candia Harbour, Crete. The weather over the target was good.

The crew consisted of Flying Officer Stent, Flying Officer Robertson,
Sergeant McConnachie and Sergeant Surtees as well as the pilot. During
the operation, the plane was brought down by anti-aircraft fire and
crashed into the sea near Candia (Heraklion).

Flying Officer Stent (posthumously promoted from Sergeant), Flying
Officer Robertson and Sergeant Surtees were listed as "Lost at Sea" and
have no known grave. They are commemorated on the
Alamein War Memorial, FO Stent and FO Robinson on Column 269, and Sgt Surtees on Column 272.

Only Ewen and Sergeant McConnachie survived, although Ewen knew nothing
of any of their fates at the time as he was seriously injured in the
crash.

After 11 hours in the sea, he was rescued by a German craft, and taken
to hospital in Candia, where he later found out that Sgt McConnachie was
also in hospital with him.”

There are more details at:

RootsWeb: WORLDWAR2-L [WORLD WAR II] Attn Kerry

Amrit · #6 (**permalink**) August 8th, 2007, 02:17 PM

Sorrell is proving to be tricky. He's not in the Bomber Command Losses (unless he succumbed to wounds from a much earlier incident), or in Fighter Command Losses. He doesn't appear in any POW lists either. With his place of burial it seems that he was killed in an accident in the UK.

I shall check with the members over on rafcommands.

VicMill · #7 (**permalink**) August 8th, 2007, 03:20 PM

Amrit

I'm stunned - that's absolutely fantastic.

Thank you very, very much.

VicMill

Amrit · #8 (**permalink**) August 8th, 2007, 04:50 PM

RE: Flight Sergeant (Pilot) Harold Sorrell (1395539) who died 16 May 1945

DaveW and Resmoroh on rafcommands have come up trumps:

"(Avro) Anson N9911 of 9 OAFU (Observer Advanced Flying Unit ) crashed at or near Mona Airfield 16/05/45 killing Harold Sorrell, RB Douglas and J Blair"

and

"Harold Sorrell's death, aged 27, Registered at Anglesey, Wales, Registration District in 2nd Quarter of 1945. Ref Vol 11b, Page 472. DC (Death Certificate) may, or may not, record precise Cause Of Death."

- "Fl/Sgt Harold SORRELL"

9 OAFU was based at RAF Llandwrog airfield

The others who died:
CWGC :: Casualty Details
CWGC :: Casualty Details

VicMill · #9 (**permalink**) August 8th, 2007, 08:17 PM

Wow Amrit - many thanks again. Please thank the guys at RAFCommands for me.

Isn't t'internet a great thing - you can learn so much in such a short time.

VicMill