Accessing service records

[Minden]

I want to gain access to someone's RAF service records, for WW1 and after. Unfortunately I can only get them if I am related. I won't know if I'm related until I get the records...

Doea anyone have any ideas on how to square this circle (short of lying, I thought of that by myself )

Thanks.

 

[Indigo]

The RAF wasn't formed until 1st April 1918. Before that it was either the RFC (part of the army) or the RNAS (part of the navy) so you may be able to get some details from the National Archives.

 

[izabel]

Records for the precursors of the RAF, the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) and the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS), are held at The National Archives, as are RAF records for service during the First World War. These cover service records of RAF Officers that served prior to 1922 (AIR76) and Airmen that served prior to 1924 (AIR79). Records of RFC officers, 1914-March 1918, were forwarded to the RAF and are in AIR76. Records of RNAS officers, 1914-March 1918, are in ADM273. After March 1918, look in AIR76.

If the airman died or was discharged from the RFC before April 1918, look in WO363 or WO364. If the airman served in the RNAS before April 1918, his record of service up to 31 March 1918 will be found in ADM188. If he served after April 1918, his record was kept from then on by the RAF. Records of the first 329,000 men who served in the RFC before 1 April 1918, and in the RAF (formerly RFC and RNAS) from 1 April 1918 are in AIR79. Records of those men within the service number range 1-329000 who went on to see service in the Second World War and records of men whose service number was 329001 or higher, are still maintained by the RAF.

Information about casualties is deemed to be personal and only enquiries in writing from or on behalf of next of kin can normally be considered. Casualty enquiries are dealt with by:

 

[Minden]

Thanks chaps.


'My' man is Walter Gibson, first in the Duke of Lancaster's Own Yeomanry, then the Manchester Regiment, then the RAF (numbers110612, 245640 and 319955 respectively). There seems to be no website for the DLOY; even their museum has nothing about his service records. The Manchesters forum can tell me which battalion he served with, but nothing more. E-Goat sent me round to the same old places.

Because he transferred to the RAF, all his service records are held by them. Maybe they're in AIR79, but I sent a message to the NA asking them to do a search, and they couldn't find anything. Maybe I'll just have to get together a list of a number of queries, and rock up in person. All I want is his date of birth!!