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
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
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
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: Gazette: Archive View
RE: Flying Officer Richard Harding Stent (124662) of RAFVR 38 Squadron who died 16 February 1943 and who is shown on the Alamein Memorial. There are more details at: RootsWeb: WORLDWAR2-L [WORLD WAR II] Attn Kerry
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.
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
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
I'm currently trying to find information about my late Grandfather. I know he was in the RAF for WWII. He is Scottish, born 10/04/1916 and his name is William C Graham.
Ewan MacDonald was Rector of The Gordon Schools, Huntly, Aberdeenshire when I attended in the 1970's. The last time I saw him was in the late 1980's, so I do not know if he's still alive. He lived in Huntly, so should be traceable through the phone directory. It was known, but not common knowledge, among the pupils that he had been a Wellington pilot and had survived a bad crash. He was still fit enough to be swimming lengths of the local swimming pool in the late 1980's though.
Hi all I'm trying to do some research on my late grandfather well both of them really, however I am currently looking for a Mr Anthony Alfred Glynn RAF (Pilot i believe) of which i have very little info other than he did have a posting to 9 OAFU (Observer Advanced Flying Unit) RAF Llandwrog near Cearnarfan, north wales. After which he supposedly spent time over in Burma. A particular note of interest is that he was in a columm of aircraft due to take off on a raid he was a person down in crew, he spotted said crewman running to the aircraft and so he stopped the line to pick the crewman. He then contined with the mission, but on his return allegedly he was busted in rank. this apparently was in lancsasters and with being busted may have then gone onto RAF Llandwrog afterwoods. He survived the war and attended may reunions in regard to the Burma Star group. However they can't find his name either. I am currently waiting for a copy of death cert for which i can ask for general enquiries information with cranwell which may give his rank and Number. He survived the war and died 3rd Aug 1991 in conwy, north wales. any help would be most apprieiated even to confirm his posting to Llandwrog. Regards Mr Dave Glynn
Hi Dave. Glad you could join us. I can't help you, but some of our British compatriots probably can. Why don't you begin your own thread? That way it will get more traffic. Good luck.
Vic - I'm not sure if you are still following this thread but my father was a (civilian) friend of Rick Stent's - I have original airletters my father wrote to Rick in Feb and April 1943 which were returned to him marked "Return on Air Ministry Instructions". I also have a letter from Edward Stent (Rick's brother perhaps) sent to my father on 24th May 1943 informing him that Richard was killed when his Wellington came down over Crete. Where is the local war memorial you are researching - Raunds? Stephen
Hi Stephen, not sure if this is going to reach you. Richard Stent was from Frittenden and after a slight delay while I've been focussing on the WW1 casualties, I've returned to this ancient thread. I'd love to see a copy of the letters if that's possible.
