Hi

Quite new to posting - I am looking for information on a Pilot Officer William Lindon Hannah Bain LANDIES who was an RAF Reserve killed on 27 March 1944 Buried in Bloemfontein (Hamilton) War Cemetery South Africa

Can anyone give me any info on him as I have just discovered he was a friends family member

It was suggested that I post here - I have read some details of him on the War Graves Commission but that's all I have at present

It appears that the Bloemfontein area was the home of a training school but don't know if he was a trainee or what when he was killed and although he is buried there does this mean he operated from there?

How can I find out about his service and and medals as it would be nice to let his family know more about him

Any details would be greatfull


Raymond Bell

Hi Raymond,

The short answer is that you can't.

The UK Data Protection Act states that only the next of kin of casualties can obtain the information you're looking for.

And they are quite silly about it too. I had the niece of a WWII RAF man apply for his records on my behalf. They made her prove that his wife of three weeks (in 1944) was deceased before they would release to what amounted to four sheets of A4 paper.

So, your best bet is to have them apply here:

RAF Disclosures,
Room 221B,
Trenchard Hall,
RAF Cranwell,
Sleaford, Lincs,
NG34 8HB

They will be sent a form to prove kinship and if that is accepted the wait is usually about three months.

Thanks for that - I will forward the address onto Keith his relative and hopefully he can get some information but would still be interested if anyone tell us about the Training Schools at Bloemfontein area. On the War Graves it shows he was 22 when he was killed

R.I.P. Bill Landies

Raymond Bell

There were three schools in the Bloemfontein area No. 27, No. 62 and No. 64 Air Schools which had flying facilities. A fourth, No. 63 Air School, was ground instruction only:

List of British Commonwealth Air Training Plan facilities in South Africa - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Also, you might want to contact the people here to see if his name appears on this memorial and if they have the circumstances resulting in his death:

South African Air Force - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Thanks again - I have been trying to look for the roll of honour - still trying but thanks for the tip


Raymond Bell

He was from Scotland. Have you tried the white pages in the Glasgow area? There may still be some relatives in his hometown. I don't know if his name is common there or not, but it might be a lead.

__________________

Hi

Thanks tried the directories no LANDIES listed although Keith is now in the States and that's who I am trying to get the information for


Raymond