F/O J.R Disher Pilot

[Steve Smith]

Hi,

trying to conform the identity of a 195 squadron pilot, F/O J.R Disher. The ORB states F/O J.R Disher Aus/417701 RAAF. Other documents state F/O J.R Disher RAFVR.

The NAA site draws a blank when your try the service number 417701?

Any help appreciated.

Steve

[alieneyes]

Steve,

O4984 (417701) James Ralph Disher.

https://nominal-rolls.dva.gov.au/vet...205668&c=WW2#R

https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/Sear...0705229&isAv=N

Regards,

Dave

[Steve Smith]

Dave,

Thank you. But the NAA website still draws blank with Dishers s/n 417701 ?

But, now I know he's a Aussie.!

Steve

[Don Clark]

Several quirks getting in the way.

Disher's service no on RAAF enlistment 1942 was indeed 417701, however in post-war RAAF service, his new id as an officer became "O4984"

But NAA Record Search only looks at the numbers so put
Disher 4984
in https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au
and voila: the NAA Item page for his A12372 Personnel file appears.

However...
That page will give less personal info than the Nominal Roll site entry did.
What it will do is show the NAA file access status.
Disher's file is marked Not yet examined: until examined/assessed, not yet digitised and not available to request .

You can request the file be assessed - follow the Request copy link.

Once it's declared Open or perhaps Open with exception you'll be able to request it, or the open part of it, to be digitised. Fee applies.

Wait times apply to both Assessment and to Item Request

Last quirk - a long standing one.
There is no point in linking NAA Record Search result pages:
the links expire, and promptly.

In short: start with Nominal Roll.
If there's an Oxxxx no, drop the O, put only that xxxx in Record Search.
By all means point to the Record Search page, & give name & correct no, just don't link the result page. Search afresh.

If its the war-time no, use that as is.
In RAAF records, the A prefix seen in RAF ORBs eg simply doesn't apply