RAF Casualty Packs 1939-45 Public Access

**PeteS** · 28th October 2021, 12:08

Well done Paul, superb work

**paulmcmillan** · 30th November 2021, 08:23

Another Release of a closed file

I got this email today

re:
AIR 81/2750 - Sergeant R S Hartnell, Sergeant E R Eastoe, Sergeant H G Ives, Sergeant F C E Gates: killed; Sergeant C A V Attwood, Sergeant E J Stephens, Sergeant R T Richardson, Sergeant E G Turner: missing believed killed; aircraft accident, Isle of Man, Wellington N2945, 11 Operational Training Unit, 24 August 1940

I am pleased to tell you that, in consultation with the ministry of Defence, it has been decided that a redacted version of this record will be made available for public viewing at The National Archives, Kew, by 7 December 2021.

**paulmcmillan** · 30th November 2021, 10:29

After my last batch of successful releases I am now looking to the next 3 long tail ones I have today made FoI for

1) TNA1638265318A94
Ref: CAS-81131-L3J8P8
Tracking Ref: CRM:0001456

Current Open Date 01/01/2088

AIR 81/1803 Flying Officer J R Garrett: injured; Sergeant H C Moorby: killed; Leading Aircraftman T C McClure, Aircraftman R Beattie: uninjured; aircraft accident, Prestatyn, 502 Squadron, 19 January 1940.

Anson N5050 YG-B

90037 F/O John Randle GARRETT Pilot Ok

Birth Dec 1906 Belfast, Antrim, Northern Ireland
Death 12 Aug 1958 Belfast, Antrim, Northern Ireland

Killed

Aircraftman 1st Class Robert BEATTIE (521868) Wireless Op
Sergeant Harold Christopher MOORBY (816074) Observer
Leading Aircraftman Thomas Christopher McCLURE (816021) Air Gunner

Thomas McClure and AC1 Robert Beattie, died a short time later from their injuries.

2) TNA1638266129A45
Ref CAS-81135-B6Y7G9
Tracking Ref: CRM:0001472

Current Open Date 01/01/2083

AIR 81/1849 Sergeant T Owen, Sergeant W Mahon: killed; aircraft accident, Gosberton, Battle P2260, 26 February 1940.

Sgt (Pilot) Thomas Owens #565435 and AC2 William Mahon #624822:

3) TNA1638265947V40
Ref CAS-81136-G3M2M1
Tracking Ref: CRM:0001473

Current Open Date 01/01/2085

AIR 81/2119 Sergeant R E Newbatt, Sergeant J K Crawley, Sergeant A V Knowles: missing believed killed; aircraft failed to return from operational flight over Belgium, "Blenheim P4893", 82 Squadron, 17 May 1940.

Actually Blenheim IV P6893

Sgt Reginald Edward Newbatt #580271 Sergeant 17/05/1940
Sgt Joseph Kenneth Crawley #580572 Sergeant 17/05/1940
Sgt Albert Vernon Knowles #530226 Sergeant 17/05/1940

See Also 81/2119

Other than 2 part files

AIR 81/2092/1
AIR 81/2408/1

Which are 2090 and 2095 if I can get these 3 (1 part opened) opened then the max date ins now in the 2070's.. (3 files) which would be my next step.. I hope to eventually get down to at least 2050. (15 files in total) - again if anyone wants to help I would go for the following 3 next..

AIR 81/1831
AIR 81/1953/1
AIR 81/3200

Kind Regards Paul

**paulmcmillan** · 10th December 2021, 16:14

Some kind soul (or 2) have arranged 2 more closed files to be opened (originally 01-01-2023) - These were opened 3rd Dec 2021 and are

Reference: AIR 81/1719
Description:
Sergeant W F McEwan: injured; Magister 8351, 30 Elementary Flying Training School; aircraft accident, Uttoxeter, 6 December 1939

Date: 1939 Jan 01 - 1940 Dec 31
Held by: The National Archives, Kew
Former reference in its original department: P 350671/39
Legal status: Public Record(s)
Closure status: Open Document, Open Description
Access conditions: Closed Until 2021
Record opening date: 03 December 2021

Reference: AIR 81/1807
Description:
Sergeant J F Bremner: missing believed killed; aircraft accident, Bishopbriggs, Oxford L4669, 8 Flying Training School, 23 January 1940

Date: 1940 Jan 01 - 1940 Dec 31
Held by: The National Archives, Kew
Former reference in its original department: P 351023/40
Legal status: Public Record(s)
Closure status: Open Document, Open Description
Access conditions: Closed Until 2021
Record opening date: 03 December 2021

Please Note: 67 of the 289 Closed Files will be opened automatically on 1st Jan 2022

**paulmcmillan** · 16th December 2021, 13:22

Another Closed 01-01- 2023 File opened

AIR 81/1822
Description:
Flight Lieutenant J N Thornewill, Flying Officer R H Lemon: killed; aircraft accident, Porthcawl, Henley L3339, 7 Bombing and Gunnery School, 11 February 1940

Date: 1940 Jan 01 - 1940 Dec 31
Held by: The National Archives, Kew
Former reference in its original department: P 351132/40
Legal status: Public Record(s)
Closure status: Open Document, Open Description
Access conditions: Closed Until 2021
Record opening date: 15 December 2021

**paulmcmillan** · 17th January 2022, 12:27

Some Progress re:

AIR 81/1849 - Sergeant T Owen, Sergeant W Mahon: killed; aircraft accident, Gosberton, Battle P2260

AIR 81/2119 - Sergeant R E Newbatt, Sergeant J K Crawley, Sergeant A V Knowles: missing believed killed; aircraft failed to return from operational flight over Belgium, Blenheim P4893, 82 Squadron, 17 May 1940

AIR 81/1803 - Flying Officer J R Garrett: injured; Sergeant H C Moorby: killed; Leading Aircraftman T C McClure, Aircraftman R Beattie: uninjured; aircraft accident, Prestatyn, 502 Squadron, 19 January 1940

"AIR 81/1849 and AIR 81/1803, it has been decided that redacted versions of these records will be made available for public viewing at The National Archives, Kew shortly. We are currently redacting the files and will contact you again to outline your options for accessing the records just as soon as the redactions are complete. There are some delays at present as there is a backlog of files to be redacted, but I anticipate that the files will be available early February."

With regard to AIR 81/2119, this file will be opened in full, but in order to avoid redactions under the 100 year rule, it is necessary that it is released after 1 February 2022.

**peterf** · 17th January 2022, 23:19

Hi Paul and thankyou for keeping us/the forum updated, much appreciated. All the best for 2022.
Cheers
Peter

**malcolm_raf** · 18th January 2022, 09:52

Originally Posted by paulmcmillan

Some Progress re:

AIR 81/1849 - Sergeant T Owen, Sergeant W Mahon: killed; aircraft accident, Gosberton, Battle P2260

AIR 81/2119 - Sergeant R E Newbatt, Sergeant J K Crawley, Sergeant A V Knowles: missing believed killed; aircraft failed to return from operational flight over Belgium, Blenheim P4893, 82 Squadron, 17 May 1940

AIR 81/1803 - Flying Officer J R Garrett: injured; Sergeant H C Moorby: killed; Leading Aircraftman T C McClure, Aircraftman R Beattie: uninjured; aircraft accident, Prestatyn, 502 Squadron, 19 January 1940

"AIR 81/1849 and AIR 81/1803, it has been decided that redacted versions of these records will be made available for public viewing at The National Archives, Kew shortly. We are currently redacting the files and will contact you again to outline your options for accessing the records just as soon as the redactions are complete. There are some delays at present as there is a backlog of files to be redacted, but I anticipate that the files will be available early February."

With regard to AIR 81/2119, this file will be opened in full, but in order to avoid redactions under the 100 year rule, it is necessary that it is released after 1 February 2022.

Hi Paul

However, McClure and Beattie are shown as dying the same day as Moorby?

Malcolm

**paulmcmillan** · 26th January 2022, 20:02

Some nice person (s) (not me in this case) have organised an additional 2 closed files to be opened (one that was not due to be released 2030) on 22 Jan 2022

AIR 81/1901
Description:
Sergeant A R Hermels: died of wounds; mid-air collision involving Blenheim L8845, 35 Squadron, and Blenheim L6596, 90 Squadron, 12 March 1940

AIR 81/1626
Description:
Sergeant E T Summers, Leading Aircraftman D George, Aircraftman J Bailey, Aircraftman G H C Newman, Aircraftman A Hardman, Aircraftman W Watson, Aircraftman W H Dye: killed; Wellington L4239, 38 Squadron; aircraft struck trees flying low, 5 November 1939

**davew** · 27th January 2022, 20:34

Paul,

In case this is important, do you know about the confusion that exists between L1396 and L6596? ABS serials prefers L1396 'collided with Blenheim on take off, Upwood 12/3/40.' For L6596 '104/90/17 OTU to 2178M 21/3/1940.' Googling these a/c serials shows that some others are also uncertain about them (ASN for one). Also note that two airmen were awarded the BEM, later changed to The GC, for their part in rescuing Hermels.

DaveW