RFC Officer's Service Record

[Resmoroh]

Hello All,
I am afraid I didn’t pay sufficient attention to threads where the Records of RFC Officers were being sought. I would like a quick tutorial (if somebody would be so kind) into (a) how you obtain the Records, and (b) having obtained them, what are they likely to contain?

I have just discovered that an Uncle – Norman (no additional Forename) Davies – was an Officer in the RFC!!
b. Q3 1900, Reg Cardiff 11a 448 (FREEBMD I am only possibly sure that this is him – there are a lot of Davies’ in Cardiff!!).
4 Nov 1917 Cadet Norman Davies Cmd 2Lt(p) Gen List RFC (LG 9Nov1917 Supp 30377, p 11680).
2/Lieutenant Norman DAVIES Royal Flying Corps. Reference: WO 339/118973 in TNA.
Can’t find anything else on the internet.

I presume I first need a copy of his Birth Cert to obtain the precise date? Then, does one go to Cranwell, or TNA(I am unable to go in person), for copies of his Service Record?
Would appreciate any help or pointers.
TIA
Peter Davies

[bvs]

Hi Peter
Not sure if this is your Uncle ?
Date of entry looks good.
From Airhistory/People..... http://www.airhistory.org.uk/rfc/fil...combined_D.txt

Davies N Norman 18.04.1899 AIR76-1 AIR 76/125/124 21812 DAVIES
Davies 2Lt N Norman RFC WO339 WO 339/118973 4324 DAVIES
Davies Cadet N Norman 04.11.17 to be PT2Lt Gazette 17. 11680 33291 DAVIES
Davies 2Lt N Norman circa.1899 RAF 70Sq 05.09.18 AGE:19 France Death 7312 DAVIES
Davies N Gazette 18. 7325 52143 DAVIES
Davies 2Lt N 48Sq 05.09.18 Died [D7900 Bristol Fighter] Got into spin while turning and crashed during practice. 2Lt N Davies+ CasBook AIR 1/969 p193 7055 DAVIES
Davies 2Lt N 48Sq France 05.09.18 Died [- Bristol Fighter] Killed CasCards 269165 5689 DAVIES
Davies 2Lt N 48Sq 05.09.18 Died [D7900 Bristol Fighter] Got into spin while turning and crashed during practice. 2Lt N Davies+ CasRep AIR 1/858

[Ross_McNeill]

If left service before circa 1922 the TNA/partner is the location - no need for birth certificate only credit/debit card.

https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/...-flying-corps/

Ross

[Resmoroh]

I knew it was going to be difficult!! See below from FREEBMD:

Marriages Sep 1920
Davies, Norman , Morris, Cardiff 11a 911
Morris, Eunice, Davies, Cardiff, 11a 911
Births Sep 1924, Davies, Nornice M, Morris, Cardiff 11a 891

You will note the birth of Nornice M Davies. That initial Forename is a combination of the parent’s Forenames. I definitely remember having a cousin of that (very!!) unusual Forename after WW2. I think I met her, and she had been in WRNS. But what it does show is that my N Davies was alive in Q3 1920, and is not, therefore, the one on CWGC. So bvs’ “N Davies” is not mine!

So, Ross, I still think I may need a definite DoB in order to positively identify my N Davies from all the others. I may have a contact who knows! And does anybody know what info may be given on an RFC Service Record?
TIA
Peter Davies

[Ross_McNeill]

Hi Peter,

Sent you a drop box link to a local casualty I researched.

Pargeter-Jones he was RNAS then RAF so both ADM and RAF records in the pack.

RFC is similar with Army postings listed until transfer to RAF service.

In this case the man was Rolls Royce Mechanic in civi life before RNAS service became part of the RNAS Armoured Cars setup due to his Rolls Royce background - moved to the long range bomber offensive that RNAS carried out then to RAF as they tried to relearn what RNAS had done 2 years before. Killed just before armistice when bomb hung up and exploded as he tried to help crew from crash.

Ross