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WWI service records - does anyone else find them difficult?

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  • WWI service records - does anyone else find them difficult?

    I have downloaded the World War One service record for my grandfather - great, it said 7 pages. He was an engineer in the Royal Flying Corps.

    It's left me more perplexed if anything! It doesn't tell me when he signed up, although it must have been 1916 is as he was employed at Bleiriot in Weybridge before that.

    It says he was "medically unfit" in 1917/18 and that he was in hospital but doesn't say why or where !

    The records for 2 of his brothers are similar. One was a night-flying pilot. But they are both very short on detail and some of the entries I don't understand at all as they are some sort of official code.

    Aargh!
    Elizabeth
    Research Interests:
    England:Purkis, Stilwell, Quintrell, White (Surrey - Guildford), Jeffcoat, Bond, Alexander, Lamb, Newton (Lincolnshire, Stalybridge, London)
    Scotland:Richardson (Banffshire), Wishart (Kincardineshire), Johnston (Kincardineshire)

  • #2
    How frustrating, Elizabeth.

    I must say I've used the records (where they've survived) to get info about wives and marriage dates and children and next of kin, rather than getting involved in much of the actual service details.

    Though I was shocked when I found that my gt uncle had had polio as a child and was still considered fit for active service. He was a prisoner of war (though it doesn't say where or for how long).
    ~ with love from Little Nell~
    Chowns, Dunt, Emms, Mealing, Purvey & Smoothy

    Comment


    • #3
      Nell, I suppose I should be grateful because it tells me a few things.

      Page 1 - cover sheet

      Page 2 - columns
      Outgoing activity C.D.D 185 5/11/18
      Unit in which Saltfleetby (??)
      Date of effect 29-10-18 4/11/18
      Incoming authority confirming CDD/180 20/10/18

      Joined unit med unfit RAF 1-11-18 C.D.D.
      Elizabeth
      Research Interests:
      England:Purkis, Stilwell, Quintrell, White (Surrey - Guildford), Jeffcoat, Bond, Alexander, Lamb, Newton (Lincolnshire, Stalybridge, London)
      Scotland:Richardson (Banffshire), Wishart (Kincardineshire), Johnston (Kincardineshire)

      Comment


      • #4
        Page 3

        Authority C.D.D./183 3/10/18 (but rather unclear)
        Medical Boards - Examination - Result Medically unsuitable
        Date 1/11/18


        Page 4

        Gives personal details - name, date of birth, next of kin (my great-grandmother) and her address
        R.A.F. (illegible number)
        7.9.18 ?? (not clear)

        Outgoing authority P.L. 255 ?? 25.1.19
        Unit from which N.W.A York
        Unit to which Non A? SAG No 2 Fight Sch ???? rest illegible
        Special remarks re duties on appt 1.9.18 (followed by lots of letters that are hard to read!)
        Incoming authority confirming Census/196


        SERVICE CONSIDERED FOR THE GRANT OF WAR MEDALS

        DL 90 (or 50?) Transferred to Unemployed List 29.6.19
        Elizabeth
        Research Interests:
        England:Purkis, Stilwell, Quintrell, White (Surrey - Guildford), Jeffcoat, Bond, Alexander, Lamb, Newton (Lincolnshire, Stalybridge, London)
        Scotland:Richardson (Banffshire), Wishart (Kincardineshire), Johnston (Kincardineshire)

        Comment


        • #5
          Have you looked at the website "The Long Long Trail"? I found it quite helpful when trying to decipher some of my relative's records.

          Comment


          • #6
            Always check the previous and next set of pages. I did and found more pages for my great grandfather Woods. Just a tip in case you need it.
            Fi, aka Wheelie Spice

            Why not learn British Sign Language: BritishSignLanguage.com; An Online Guide to British Sign Language

            Comment


            • #7
              Saltfleetby is in Lincolnshire as you probably know. Could CDD stand for Coastal Defence Department or something like that?

              Comment


              • #8
                Thanks Trina and Fi. With a little Googling and research I'm managing to work out some of the more cryptic comments, but I need to look at it again.
                Elizabeth
                Research Interests:
                England:Purkis, Stilwell, Quintrell, White (Surrey - Guildford), Jeffcoat, Bond, Alexander, Lamb, Newton (Lincolnshire, Stalybridge, London)
                Scotland:Richardson (Banffshire), Wishart (Kincardineshire), Johnston (Kincardineshire)

                Comment


                • #9
                  Saltfleetby was the site of an army training camp in WW1, becoming the largest of all army training camps by WW2. It was a holiday camp in between!

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Bob, many thanks for the link. :smilee:
                    Elizabeth
                    Research Interests:
                    England:Purkis, Stilwell, Quintrell, White (Surrey - Guildford), Jeffcoat, Bond, Alexander, Lamb, Newton (Lincolnshire, Stalybridge, London)
                    Scotland:Richardson (Banffshire), Wishart (Kincardineshire), Johnston (Kincardineshire)

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Originally posted by Elizabeth Herts View Post
                      I have downloaded the World War One service record for my grandfather - great, it said 7 pages. He was an engineer in the Royal Flying Corps.

                      It's left me more perplexed if anything! It doesn't tell me when he signed up, although it must have been 1916 is as he was employed at Bleiriot in Weybridge before that.

                      It says he was "medically unfit" in 1917/18 and that he was in hospital but doesn't say why or where !

                      The records for 2 of his brothers are similar. One was a night-flying pilot. But they are both very short on detail and some of the entries I don't understand at all as they are some sort of official code.

                      Aargh!
                      Hi Elizabeth,

                      Do you have a Link to the part of the National Archives where you downloaded the RFC WW1 Records from? I find that Site very difficult to navigate, & end up going round in circles on it:F

                      I'm looking for the WW1 RFC Record for my late Uncle, George Felix Wilson (1900-1970) who was an Observer Officer in WW1. I've visited Kew, but had no success finding anything, although I had thought that they were on microfiche only.

                      Cheers, Holly

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Holly, here you are - you can download it on line for £3.50:

                        The National Archives | DocumentsOnline | Image Details

                        Name Wilson, George Felix
                        18 February 1900 AIR 76/554


                        Catalogue reference AIR 76/554links to the Catalogue
                        Dept Records created or inherited by the Air Ministry, the Royal Air Force, and related bodies
                        Series Air Ministry: Department of the Master-General of Personnel: Officers' Service Records
                        Elizabeth
                        Research Interests:
                        England:Purkis, Stilwell, Quintrell, White (Surrey - Guildford), Jeffcoat, Bond, Alexander, Lamb, Newton (Lincolnshire, Stalybridge, London)
                        Scotland:Richardson (Banffshire), Wishart (Kincardineshire), Johnston (Kincardineshire)

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Originally posted by Elizabeth Herts View Post
                          Holly, here you are - you can download it on line for £3.50:
                          The National Archives | DocumentsOnline | Image Details
                          Name Wilson, George Felix
                          18 February 1900 AIR 76/554
                          Catalogue reference AIR 76/554links to the Catalogue
                          Dept Records created or inherited by the Air Ministry, the Royal Air Force, and related bodies
                          Series Air Ministry: Department of the Master-General of Personnel: Officers' Service Records
                          Gosh...!! Many Thanks for that Elizabeth :smilee:

                          Now why couldn't I find that? Does this mean that WW1 Service Records that were previously only available to view on microfiche have now been made available on-line? (I have also been looking for years for my late father's WW1 RNR Service Record, but have had no joy with that).

                          Best Wishes, Holly.

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Holly, they were only put on line a couple of weeks ago, which is why you couldn't find it!

                            I hope it gives you lots of information.
                            Elizabeth
                            Research Interests:
                            England:Purkis, Stilwell, Quintrell, White (Surrey - Guildford), Jeffcoat, Bond, Alexander, Lamb, Newton (Lincolnshire, Stalybridge, London)
                            Scotland:Richardson (Banffshire), Wishart (Kincardineshire), Johnston (Kincardineshire)

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Hi Elizabeth,

                              This has quite made my day Elizabeth, - many thanks for posting the Link.

                              I've had quite an extensive trawl through...but sadly it looks as though the WW1 RNR Service Records are still not available on-line. (Although the RNVR ones are). I don't know why they haven't scanned the RNR as well, - I would've thought they could have been added along with the RNVR...but doubtless they have their reasons.

                              Best Wishes, Holly.

                              Comment


                              • #16
                                I have never been lucky with the Royal Flying Corps. My father was a printer in the Corp and I have a picture of him with his small unit I have never got anywhere. He is now dead so I can't ask him
                                Sheila
                                I think, therefore I am. Descarte

                                Comment


                                • #17
                                  Originally posted by Sheila from Down Under View Post
                                  I have never been lucky with the Royal Flying Corps. My father was a printer in the Corp and I have a picture of him with his small unit I have never got anywhere. He is now dead so I can't ask him
                                  Sheila
                                  Sheila, there are records on line now - have you searched his name? TNA have only just put them on Documents on Line. I had no success with my grandfather for years, but now I have his service records.
                                  Elizabeth
                                  Research Interests:
                                  England:Purkis, Stilwell, Quintrell, White (Surrey - Guildford), Jeffcoat, Bond, Alexander, Lamb, Newton (Lincolnshire, Stalybridge, London)
                                  Scotland:Richardson (Banffshire), Wishart (Kincardineshire), Johnston (Kincardineshire)

                                  Comment


                                  • #18
                                    Elizabeth I am sorry that I have taken so long to answer I went and had a look. and nothing, it must be something to do with me . So if anyone can help his name is Harold Bean No 167202 he was in the " printing Staff" I think the photo was taken in 1918. I would not gratfull .
                                    Regards
                                    Sheila :o
                                    I think, therefore I am. Descarte

                                    Comment


                                    • #19
                                      It is dinner time Down Under (7.30) so I'll be away for 1 hour Sorry
                                      Sheila
                                      I think, therefore I am. Descarte

                                      Comment


                                      • #20
                                        Sheila - hope dinner was good

                                        If i've read things right - the reason you can't find him is because it's only officer's records that have gone online.

                                        This link to the NA explains the different records and their locations

                                        The National Archives | The Catalogue | Research Guides

                                        This section seems to refer to the record of your man -

                                        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 AIR 79 . They are in service number order. If you do not know the service number, look at the index in AIR 78 . The records in AIR 79 generally contain:

                                        * date and place of birth
                                        * physical description
                                        * religious denomination
                                        * next of kin
                                        * spouse and children



                                        * date of joining
                                        * promotions
                                        * units served in
                                        * award of medals
                                        * date of discharge

                                        Records of those men within the service number range 1-329000 who went on to see service in the Second World War, are still maintained by the RAF
                                        .

                                        Perhaps you could ask if anyone is going to Kew could possibly check for you

                                        Cheers
                                        Sue

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