No squadrons on the records?

Wartime RAF Records of Service only contain brief details,
such as in the ‘Unit’ columns where units (Commands, Groups, Wings, RAF Stations, Squadrons, and Miscellaneous units) were noted,
but not where an individual stayed, or details of training.

Also, not every member of the Royal Air Force was Posted or Attached to a Squadron (as well as flying squadrons, such as No. 5, No. 29, No.108, No. 220 etc, there were also ground units - for example, Balloon Barrage Squadrons, and Airfield Construction Squadrons).

Personnel of all Ranks and Trades (Pilots, and non-aircrew like Drivers, Cooks, Clerks, Electricians, and Flight Mechanics) could be sent to a Squadron/unit for a variety of reasons.

And keep in mind that some information might not have reached the records, due to all sorts of reasons.

Where it's taped

The taped (redacted) areas on the record have been blacked out by RAF Disclosures-Veterans at

RAF Cranwell, Lincolnshire, where they hold the originals, and therefore it will only be them who

know what has been blanked out.

Records received

Today I got my dad's records...
Part of it, I assume.

I immediately saw there was no mention of place or squadron.
From some educational services the location can be deducted.

The date of joining the RAF is different from other paperwork.
Of course privacy related info was taped. I am OK with that.
But it looks like whole areas were erased, and I wonder why. Tried to enhance it, but it wasn't possible to get something useful.

When I'm back from England I will have a close look at every detail.

Because of the discrepancy in dates and the questions I have, I've sent all documentation and everything I know to the supportdesk.

When I have the official reaction back, I'll see what the researchgroups I'm a member of can do.

Engelandvaarders

Engelandvaarders are those people who were able to leave The Netherlands and arrive in England.
Volunteers have read the formal interviews taken after their arrival in England and put the routes they took on maps.

I should be able to find my father there.
Problem is that the entrance to the files is not very well keyworded.

Oorlogsbronnen

Het Volk

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A second request...MOD again

Requested the records at the MOD (Ministery of Defense)...again!
Did that a couple of years ago. Got no reply at all.

Now the process is a lot simpeler, I submitted a request again.

Might take ages!

A reply, but not the one I wanted

Got a reply from the British National Archives.
His records haven't been transferred yet.

So I have to direct my request to the MOD.

Glad they looked things up so fast and replied within days, instead of months.

Submitted a request at the National Archives.

Submitted a request at the National Archives.
Before the form was submitted they wrote that the waitingtime would be 2 weeks, after it was submitted: 9 months.

That was like a slap in the face.

Well, we'll see what happens.

They will first have a look if there is something to be found.
They will report this.
Then they'll inform me about the costs of someone getting the records.

We'll see.

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