Query on post-war RAF service numbers

[Phil Listemann]

Good Day all,

I have two pots-war RAF officers (up to the mid-'50s) with their service number starting with 180xxxxx.

P/O R. Heard (18095548) and S/L EJG Gauntlett (18092863). Is that corresponding to some specific enlistement? I find them a bit strange for officers.


The other point is that I was unable to find them in the LG!

Any explanation would be highly welcome.


Thanks

Phil

[Resmoroh]

Phil, Hi,

From - http://raf-112-squadron.org/nominal_roll.html:-

Gauntlett (Lt) Eric John Gerard "China" 542882V SAAF 8/3/45 28/7/45 He had over 70 hours of operation ground strafing in Italy during the
Second World War. Killed post war assigned to, or attached to, the Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force and was flying Spitfire Mk.F24 serial PK719 when, after an engine failure, the aircraft stalled & dived into the sea off Port Shelter Island Hong Kong [GE 22.325771 114.296869]on 12 June 1954. Entry confirming these details appears in Colin Cummings book 'To Fly No More', which gives Sqdn Leader E J G Gauntlett's age as 28.

This, I would say, is clearly the right guy? Originally SAAF, and at the time of death HKAAF? Might be his HKAAF number.
Heard – with suspiciously similar number – might also be HKAAF?

HTH
Peter Davies

[Phil Listemann]

That's interesting. Thanks Peter. Yes Heard was also member of the HKAAF. Does that mean that service number range 180xxxxx was assigned to the HKAAF? We can guess so, but that doesn't explain why I cannot find any of them in the LG!

Phil