According to the latest news from The National Archives website, a collection of Second World War RAF casualty records has now been released to view.
The records were produced by the Air Ministry's casualty branch following the loss of an aircraft or personnel. They include accident reports and correspondence with next of kin.
Known as the AIR 81 series, the first tranche contains 316 packs dating from the beginning of the war in September 1939 to May 1940. However, many of the files contain correspondence which runs into the 1950s and even the 1960s.
This first collection of records does include some notable RAF raids from the early years of World War 2, such as the raid on the Albert Canal Bridges in Belgium in May 1940 when five aircraft from RAF No 12 Squadron were lost and the first Victoria Crosses of the war were awarded.
There's more details at http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/news/903.htm
New RAF casualty records released from the start of World War Two.
Comments
Cynthia Portas nee Jolley
23rd May 2015 at 02:43
Looking for records of my father Fountain Byers Jolley AKA Frank Jolley. served in RAF WW2. May have been wounded. I think he was a gunner. Married to Irene Mariln Joley nee Arthurs. Residential address 41 Woodleigh Avenue Harborne Birmingham. He was born in Lancs. Two children Richard and Cynthia. Both parents and my brother now deceased. Please can you help. I am a financial member of Ancestry. I am now 75 and would dearly love to be able to pass info on to my grandchildren.
I am trying to find out about my father. He was killed in July 1943 whilst training a new pilot . His grave is in Little Rissington and he was based at Rissington airfield.
His name is Jack Frances Page and he was acting Flight Lieutenant. I believe that he had originally been a bomber pilot but had transferred to the navigation school.
He left a wife Edith Vera and myself. Can you help? Thank you.
I am looking for my Uncle's info. He was an RAF Pilot shot down over Holland on his first flight. His name is Robert McAdam from Caithness, Scotland. His sister Mary was married to Captain Tim Gunn, The White House, Scotland. They have both deceased as all of my relatives in that age group. Captain Tim Gunn was a prisoner of war in Germany. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Good Morning.
I am trying to trace the record of a relative who died in an air raid in Germany in 1940/1.He was, I believe in the RAF. His name was Peter Offord, the son of my sisters adoptive parents. He was from Willesden, aged about 21 when he was killed. I'm afraid that's all we know.
Hello Anthony, I did spot a Peter A J Offord in the Overseas WW2 deaths that I found on TheGenealogist website. Only the death is for 1944 not 1940/1. This airman was a Flight Sgt in 166 Squadron and his death is in Vol11, Page 124, 1944 War Deaths (R. A. F. All Ranks) 1939-1948 on TheGenealogist.co.uk. Could this be him?
I would guess that TheGenealogist will at some stage in the future release the ORBs for this squadron as they seem to be working through them. Sorry I am not in the know, so can't tell you when. Operations Record Books (ORBs) may give you some info about his operational deployment. See their article: https://www.thegenealogist.co.uk/featuredarticles/2020/air-27-operations-record-books-capture-airmen-from-fighter-and-bomber-squadrons-during-ww2-1261/
Thomas K. Goodfellow was a RAF flier who was killed in WWII. He was born in 1919 and he married Barbara ER Brett in 1940. My close friend is his only son who has no information on his father. Barbara married an American after the War. Any help would be appreciated.
Seeking info on a pilot flying out of Airfield near Bournmouth who was shot down and killed in Sept/Oct 1941. Only other information is that he was originally from County Donegal in Ireland. He was my mothers fiancee at time of death.
For many years my Mother kept a photo of 'Jean' (Belgian flier attached to RAF), on her bedroom wall. He was classified missing in action. I can see his face so clearly. I would like to research where he came from etc. Can anyone please tell me if there is a photographic record of those pilots?
My wife's uncle Michael Finnerty served with the RAF in WWII. He was Irish and never returned home after the war. We would like to trace what happened to him, if possible.
