A cook at RAF Halton

[Velma Dinkley]

My husband's grandfather was a cook at RAF Halton in Buckinghamshire from at least 1921 to probably after WW2.

I was wondering if he would have a 'service' record, even if he wasn't involved in combat? It's just that I would be interested to know when exactly he started and when he left.

Thanks for your help

[Janet in Yorkshire]

My friend's grandfather had an army record for WW1. He never saw active service and served as a cook at barracks in Kent.
So I would expect there to be a service record for your man, unless he was a civilian.

Jay

[Olde Crone Holden]

My daughter was a cook at RAF Halton towards the end of her service career. She certainly has a service record.

I don't THINK the RAF would have employed civvy cooks back then - it is only fairly recently that they have employed civvies at all I think.

All RAF personnel are trained for combat and my daughter saw active service even though her RAF trade was steward. She underwent refresher training every year.

OC

[Velma Dinkley]

Thanks Janet & OC

And a small world too OC!

So it's just a case of finding where his record is now then.

I'm going to the Natiional Archives on 6th March, so hopefully I should be able to locate it there.

BTW his name was Thomas Henry Robert Anderson, born 1900 Maidenhead, Berkshire - if anyone can find anything on line...

[Malc]

Service records of RAF Officers that served prior to 1922 and Airmen that served prior to 1924 are held at the National Archive.

Service records for Officers and Airmen that served after these dates are retained by the Royal Air Force. RAF service records are retained by Service Number, Rank and Full Name, and will also contain the Date of Birth. It is important that as much of this information as possible is provided to assist in locating the correct record.
Enquiries about RAF held records should be made as follows:

From Current/Former RAF Personnel.
A Subject Access Request (SAR) form needs to be completed and sent to:

RAF DPA SAR Section
Room 220
Trenchard Hall
RAF Cranwell
Sleaford
LINCS
NG34 8HB

01400 261201
Ext 8175
Ext 8172
Ext 8173

From Family Members and Other Authorised Individuals
A Certificate of Kinship form needs to be completed and sent to:

RAF Disclosures Section
Room 221b
Trenchard Hall
RAF Cranwell
Sleaford
LINCS
NG34 8HB

01400 261201
Ext 6711
Ext 8161/8159 (Officers)
Ext 8163/8168/8170 (Other ranks)

[Velma Dinkley]

That's brilliant, thanks Malc

[Malc]

You're welcome, hope you get the info that you want

[Christine in Herts]

Have we had this discussion before, Velma? My father was 1-Wing Chaplain at Halton 1957-59. We lived at 12 Bulbeck (?Drive) - on the hill down from the Wing barracks. The apprentices used to march down the hill past our house every weekday morning.

Christine

[Velma Dinkley]

Not that I recall Christine! :D

I went on a school trip to Wendover Woods today, so passed this... which got me thinking...