RAF Service files.

[Richard.K]

Hello. Just wondering if an operations list would be in a pilots service file. I have many RAF pilots that flew in 6 Group without any second dickie trips.

Thanks, Richard

[CZ_RAF]

Hi Richard, from my own experience I can say that in the basic RAF Service Record - two big sheets of paper for the NCO + other two sheets for the officer theare are only movements, promotions, trades, etc. but nothing about operations etc.

Pavel

[Richard.K]

Thanks Pavel for the info. Some of the Canadian files contain a list if they applied for campaign medals.
Richard

[anglin.mj]

Hi Richard,

Your post made me wonder if second dickie trips were always conducted? My Dad flew as a Bomb Aimer with 77 Sqn and when I go back through the ORBs my Dad’s RCAF pilot arrived on Sqn (same days as my Dad) 23 Aug 44 and their first Op was 31 Aug 44.

I can’t see any second dickie trip for my Dad’s pilot between those dates.

We’re these trips the norm, or used by exception if check flights indicated the pilot needed extra air work?

Mike

[JDCAVE]

Hi Mike: my understanding is your dad’s pilot would have been on a 2nd Dickie trip prior to operating with his own crew as 1st pilot. Unless….he was on a 2nd tour and things may have been different. Check the battle order in the ORB’s. Should be there…although as Richard alludes…not always!

Edit: Sorry, I see you have already checked the ORB!

Jim

[Richard.K]

If he has been omitted, you need the pilots log to verify. I have a 100 or so pilots from 6 Group that are not noted as flying as a 2nd dickie, when I know he has done one or two. On some I have their date, hours, but nothing in the ORB or battle orders. the log is the only way to verify.
Hope this helps.
Richard

[PeteS]

As I've been working on our database of all 630 Squadron aircrew (and all Ops flown by the squadron) I noted a number of pilots who apparently did not fly a Second Dickie however as I've gone line by line through every 630 Squadron logbook that I've managed to get sight of (117 so far) I have found quite a few who actually did complete Second Dickies but were not noted in F540/541's. In the case of pilots who were later awarded decorations I found the lists of Ops which accompanied many of the awards (AIR 2) that others are verified as having done Second Dickies as well. I've never seen a list of Ops flown in an RAF/RAFVR service record and have seen 80+

cheers
Pete
https://630squadron.wordpress.com/

[Richard.K]

Thanks Pete. I am going to make a list of RAF pilots that received a gong.
Regards, Richard