Useful Research Addresses
Updated: September 2011
Hints and Tips
Over the years I hae spent hours searching to addressed and contacts, and I would like to share this list of helpful contacts and addresses. Generally I have always received a reply of some kind even if it has been to suggest another contact name or location where I may be able to location the information I am looking for.
Where the British Public Records Office is concerned, you must either visit the office in person, hire a private researcher, or if you happen to have precise details of what your require then you may be able to order the documents directly from their web site. This is how I have obtained most of my Squadron Operational Records (ORB's). Whenever I have actually spoken to a human being I have often found them rather cold and rather unhelpful, I guess it is a case of who you happen to make contact with. But their email service and responses have always very helpful and specific. What ever means you choose to use, the document which are contained which the walls of this facility are beyond doubt some of the best and only sources available.
In all cases, when dealing with any source, by which you would like a response. I do strong suggest that you enclose some form of payment to cover the responder's postal costs. I cannot recall an example where I have not received a reply when I have done this. When sending to out of country addresses, you can purchase International postage coupons from your local post office which can be exchanged for postage stamps in the country of origin.
Disclaimer: While I make every effort to ensure these addresses and links are current and active , things do change. I therefore take no responsibility or liability for inaccurate information contained with in this page. I would appreciate any updates should information change.
Service Records
All service records of the officers and men of the Royal Air Force are maintained and stored by the Ministry of Defence. Copies of records are available only to relatives. Contact:
PMA (CS)2a(2) (RAF) - validated: feb 2010
RAF Disclosures
Room 221V
Trenchard Hall
RAF Cranwell
Sleaford, Lincolnshire
NG34 8HB
England
Phone: 01400-268161
Note: while I have not used this service myself, it is my understanding that may be a fee charged for this service.
Honours And Awards
Two types of awards were made during WWII: Immediate, for single acts of bravery, etc. and non-immediate, normally given at the conclusion of a bomber tour or for continuous exposure to enemy action etc.
Citations for immediate awards were published in the London Gazette. Copies of these recommendations are held by:
The Ministry of Defence
AMP Sect 1c
HQ PTC
Innsworth
Gloucester
GL3 1EZ
England
This branch can also supply details of individual awards to close relatives. Some recommendations however, have not survived.
Additionally, you can also contact:
PMA (CS)2a(2) (RAF)
Building 248a
Personnel Management Agency
RAF Innsworth
Gloucester
GL3 1EZ
England
Crashes And Casualties
Limited details on aircraft crashed whether they be from training incidents or due to combat can be obtained from:
The Ministry of Defence
Air Historical Branch
3-5 Great Scotland Yard
London
SW1A 2H3
England
Prisoners Of War / Escaping Associations
There is no official POW branch of the military that deals with this topic. However, there are a few POW Associations:
Royal Air Force Ex-POW Association
c/o Mr. J. Banfield, Secretary
3 Hayes Lane
Beckham, Kent
BR3 2QS
England
RAF Escaping Society 1945-95/RAFES
Charitable Fund Secretary: Mrs. E. Lucas-Harrison
206 Brompton Road
London
SW3 2BQ
England
Caterpillar Club
Hon. Secretary: Mrs. Judy Weeks
Irvin Aerospace ltd.
Icknield Way
Letchworth, Hertfordshire
SG6 1EU
England
Evasion Of Allied Airmen From Western Europe
Michael Moores LeBlanc - email: mmleblanc@sympatico.ca
Air Gunners Association
Air Gunner Association
R. Powers
31 Edrington Avenue
Solihull, West Midlands
B92 8HU
England
The Air Crew Associations
The Aircrew Association
Mr. Danny Bon, Hon. Secretary & Acting Registrar
Bryndu
37 Picardy Road
Belvedere, Kent
DA17 5QN
England
email: secretary@aircew.org.uk
The Mosquito Aircrew Association
Mr. T. Wilson
21Kingwell Road
Hadley Woods, Hertfordshire
EN4 0HZ
England
Locating Ex-Aircrew
Once again there is no official service form tracing ex-aircrew. However, I have had some success by writing to the following publications and requesting that they publish my appeal for help. This can sometimes take a while as such requests are handled on a first come first serve and also often on an "available space" basis.
Air Mail
Royal Air Forces Association
Central Headquarters
43 Grove Park Road
London
W4 3RU
England
RAF Bomber Command Association
Royal Air Force Museum
Grahame Park Way
London
Nw( 5LL
England
FlyPast Magazine "Help"
PO Boss 100
Stamford, Lincolnshire
PE9 1XA
England
email: flypast@keymags,demon.co.uk
The Mosquito Aircrew Association
Mr. T. Wilson
21Kingwell Road
Hadley Woods, Hertfordshire
EN4 0HZ
England
WAAF Association (address has not been validated as of Feb 2010)
Secretary: Mrs. Florance Mahoney
91 Marina Avenue
New Malden, Surrey
KT3 6NG
England
Road Davis Web Site - Finding Former Aircrew (Hints and Tips)
Squadron and Unit Associations
Many of the squadron;s still have active associations and members, and many of them are helpful with publishing requests for help in their newsletters, I have also had some limited success in asking an association to forward letters to members; but have never had an address of a member sent to me by an association. As they do have a fairly strict sets of privacy rules. Regardless for the prince of a stamp it is worth the effort of trying the path.
Please note: the addresses are as up to date as I can keep them. However, membership secretaries change often and therefore so do the addresses. In most cases the past secretary forwards the mail received. If you have any updated please let me know so i can keep this list current.
No. 7 Squadron Association
A. Lewry
1 Birchwood
Chineham, Bassingstoke
Hampshire
RG24 0TY
England
No. IX Squadron Association
J.S.E. Brookbank
14 Huntingbrooke
Great Holm, Milton Keynes
Buckinghamshire
MK8 9DE
England
No. IX Squadron Researcher
Mr. Gordon Thorburn
Author of: "Bomber, First and lAst" ISNB 01395 512587
email: g@thorburnicus.eclipse.co.uk
No. 10 Squadron Association
D. Dent
145 Stanks Drive
West Yorkshire
LS14 5NU
England
No's 12/626 Squadron Association
(The Wickenby Register)
Mr. G.A.G. Monk
25 Orchard Gardens
Effingham, Surrey
KT24 5NR
England
No's XV/149/622 Squadron Association - validated: Feb 2010
(The Mildenhall Registar)
Mr. Geoff Reynolds, Secretary
61 Salem Street
Gosberton, Lincolnshire
PE11 4NQ
England
phone: 01775-841585
email: geoff.renolds@hotmail.co.ok
No. 24 OTU Honeybourne & Long Marston Association
T.B.H. Rose
Mallards
145 Long Lane
Tilehurst, Reading
Berkshire
RG3 6YW
England
No. 35/635 Squadron Association
W. Stevenson
43 Browning Close
Meadow View
Chester
CH1 5XD
England
No. 37 Squadron Register
Mr. N. Lees
47 Links Gardens
Burnham on Sea
Somerset
TA8 2PU
England
No. 44 ( Rhodesia) Squadron Association
Sqn. Ldr. H.M. Horscroft, RAF (Ret'd)
Church Lane
Eagle, Lincolnshire
LN6 9DJ
England
No. 49 Squadron Association
T. Gatfield
126 Weirdale Avenue
Whestone
London
N20 0AH
England
No. 51 and 61 Squadron Association
G. Collins
35 Wetherby Crescent
Lincoln
LN6 8SY
England
No. 55 Squadron Association
Sqn Ldr. P.J. Mason (Ret'd)
26 Aversley Road
Sawtrym Huntingdon
Cambridgeshire
PE17 5XD
England
No. 57/630 Squadron Association
Sqb Ldr. M.J.P. Davis, RAF (Ret'd)
29 Viking Way
The Hopfields
Ledbury, Herefordshire
HR8 2DU
England
No. 75 (New Zealand) Squadron Association (UK Contact) - validated July 2011
Mr. K. King, Chariman
49 Greystones Road
Bearsted
Maidstone
Kent
ME15 8LU
England
email: kevinfking@talktalk.net
No. 75 (New Zealand) Squadron Association (NZ Contact) - validated Feb 2010
Glen Turner
email: 75sqn.assnz@windowslive.com
No. 76 Squadron Association
NO CONTACT INFO AVAILABLE
No. 76 Squadron and No. 44 base (Radar) Association
NO CONTACT INFO AVAILABLE
No. 77 Squadron Association
R. Stewart
88 Riverside Park
Otley, West Yorkshire
LS21 2RW
England
No. 78 Squadron Association
Gp. Capt. I.F. Easton, C.Eng, FRAES, FBIM, RAF (Ret'd)
2 orchard Lodge
Boverton
Llantwit Major
South Glamorgan
CF6 9UH
No. 83 Squadron Association
>> Contact Unknown <<
No. 88 Squadron Association
B. Collins
11 Gillane Drive
Warmsworth
Doncaster
DN4 9NW
England
No. XC Squadron Association
N. Searle
104 Eastrea Road
Whittlesey
Peterborough
PE7 2AQ
England
No. 97 (Straits Settlements) Squadron Association
W/CMR K.H.H. Cook. DFC, RFA (Ret'd)
1 Montague House
5 Moorlands Road
Budleigh Salterton
SK9 5LU
England
Web site: http://www.97squadronassociation.co.uk/about97squadronassoc.html
No. 98 Squadron Association
Wg. Cdr. J,H, Smith-Carrington, AFC, RAF (Ret'd)
The Lodge
Folville Street
Ashby Folville
Melton Mowbray
Leicestershire
LE14 2TE
England
No. 99 (Madra Presidency) Squadron Association
J. Carver
108 Carlton Road
Bicton, Rugby
Warwickshire
CV22 7PE
England
No. 100 Squadron Association
Sqn. Ldr. A.C. Wedderburn, MBE, RAF (Ret'd)
11 Bury Way
St. ives, Huntingdon
Cambridgeshire
PE17 4SL
England
No. 101 Squadron Association - UPATE Aug 2011
Sqn Ldr (ret'd) Geoffery Whittle, DFM
142 Westcliffe Road
Sleaford
Lincolnshire
NG34 9AY
England
Or: Mr. Gary W8man: email: gary.w8man@gamil.com
No. 102 (Ceylon) Squadron Association
T. Wingham
21 Tannery Drive
Bury St. Edmunds
Suffolk
IP33 2SD
England
The RAF Elsham Wolds Assocaition
(No. 103 & 576 Squadron's)
Mr. David. W. Fell
96 Wharncliffe Drive
Eccleshill, Bradford
BD2 3SY
England
No. 106 Squadron Association - validated July 2011
Mr. D. Thomas
Newby End,
Newby
North Penrith
Cumbria
CA10 3EX
England
Tel: 01931 714 007
No. 107 & 110 (Hyderabad) Squadron Association
D.W. Brown
73 Wymering Mansions
Wymering Road
Maida Vale
London
W9 2NE
England
No. 108/582 Squadron Association (Little Staughton Pathfinders)
A.I. Simpson
111 Meadway
Dunstable
Bedfordshire
LU6 3JT
England
No. 115 Squadron Association
I.R.E. Lucas
28 Mill Farm Drive
Randlay, Telford
Shorpshire
TF3 2NA
England
No. 139 Squadron Association
F.H. Jones
7 Abbey Close
Ixworth
Bury St. Edmunds
Suffolk
IP31 2HF
England
No. 148 Squadron Association
H.C. Bailey
188a Papplewick Lane
Hucknall
Nottinghamshire
NG15 8EH
England
No. 153 Squadron Association
F.F. Fish, DFM
72 College Road
Bexhall-on-Sea
East Sussex
TN40 1TW
England
No 156 Squadron Register
H.C. Hernaman, DFC
39 The Esplanade
Frinton-on-Sea
Essex
CO13 9JD
England
No. 159 Squadron Association
S.W. Samson
39 High Meadow
Sidmouth, Devon
EX10 9UW
England
No. 160 Squadron Association
E.H. Daines
45 Randolf Road
Norwich
MR1 2RU
England
No. 166 Squadron Association
J.W. Wright C.Eng, AMMIME, MIE
4 Park Way East
Kirby Park
Merseyside
L32 2BY
England
No. 170 Squadron Reunion Association
J. Syratt
122 Northumberland Court
Leamington Spa
CV32 6HN
England
No. 199 Squadron Association
>> Contact Information Unknown <<
No. 207 Squadron Association
R.S. Winton, ISM
2 Warwick Crescent
Charlton Kinds
Cheltenham
Gloucestershire
GL52 6YZ
England
No. 214 (F.M.S.) Squadron Association
Sqn. Ldr. G.W. Moffatt, RAAF (Ret'd)
Treaddur
Edward Road
Amesbury, Wiltshire
SP4 7LT
England
No. 218 (Gold Coast) Squadron Association
Mrs. M. Griffiths
Honeysuckle Cottage
Langham Road
Badwell Ash
Bury St. Edmunds
Suffolk
IP31 3DS
England
No. 223 Groundcrew Association
Mr. H.H. Thomas
28 Curson Park South
Chester
CH4 8AB
England
No. 249 (Gold Coast) Squadron Association - added Sept 12, 2011
Mr. T. Cullen, Hon. Sec.
12 Bywell Avenue
South Shields
NE34 6RP
England
No. 300 Squadron (RAF Flight) Association
J. Syratt
122 Northumberland Court
Leamington Spa
CV32 6HN
England
No. 355/356 Squadron Register
P.R. Jones
23 barn Owl Close
Langtoft, Lincolnshire
PE6 9RG
England
No. 357/358 (SD) Squadron Association
W. Nunn
56 Greenacres
Oxford, Surrey
RH8 0PB
England
No. 405 (RCAF) Squadron Association
Mrs. L.W. Hayes
13 Woodland Way
Petts Wood
Kent
BR5 1NB
England
No. 419/420/428 (RCAF) Squadron Association
R. Robson
7 Camberley Close
Huddlecote
Gloucestershire
GL3 3PQ
England
No. 425 (RCAF) Squadron Association
(H) Colonel P. Bourdages, President
7, rue Rode-de-Cedress
Boisbraind, Quebec
J7G 1N8
Canada
No. 433 (RCAF) Squadron Association
J.F. Descent
161 Third Avenue
Arnprior, Ontario
K7S 1Z1
Canada
No. 460 (RAAF) Squadron Association
P. Gibby10 Rydale Drive
Tunbridge Wells
Kent
TV4 9ST
England
No. 467/463 (RAAF) Lancaster Squadrons Association
Australian Secretary: Mr. J. Wuinn
9 Redcourt Road
Adadale 6156
Australia
No. 467/463 (RAAF) Lancaster Squadrons Association
UK Secretary: Mrs. J. Skeet
11 The Link
Wellingore
Lincolnshire
LN5 0BJ
England
No. 514 Squadron Association (CANADA CONTACT)
Wendy Flemming
4817 - 68 S
Camrose, Alberta
T4V 2T8
Canada
No. 515 Squadron Association
C.W. Brignham
8 Wellesley Close
Waterlooville
Hants
PO7 7JD
England
No. 500 Squadron Association
Wg. Mdr. J. Harris, OBE, RFC, RAF (Ret'd)
14 Hamilton House
Amerhurst Road
Tunbridge Wells
Kent
Tn4 9LQ
England
No. 578 Squadron (Burn) Association
Secretary: E.C. Blackmore, MBE
4 Cambra Close
Waterleaf Park
Honiton, Devon
Ex14 8UR
England
No. 615 (County of Glamorgan) Squadron Association
Mr. C.W. Brown
77 Enflied Drive
Hunters Ridge
Barry
Valk of Glamorgan
CF62 8JE
Scotland
No. 617 Squadron Association
Sgn. Ldr. E.A. Wass, AE, MBIM, RAF (Ret;d)
61 Lady Lodge Drive
Orton Waterville
Peterborugh
PE2 0AA
England
No. 617 Squadron, Official Historian
Wg. Cdr. F M A Hines RAF (Ret'd)
The Stone House
63 Eastfield Lane
Welton
Lincoln
LN2 3ND
England
No. 619 Squadron Association
J.L. Whiteley
16 Lightwood Close
Knowie
Solihull
West Midlands
B93 9LS
England
No. 625 Squadron Association
R.C. Turner, Hon. Sec.
2 Bridges Walk
Fakenham
Norfolk
NR21 9TB
England
No. 623 Squadron Association (Unofficial)
Mr. Steve Smith
208 Dunkery Road
Nottingham
London
SE9 4HP
England
No. 627 Squadron in Retirement
A.B. Webb
25 Squirrels Heath Avenue
Gidea Park
Romford
Exxex
EM2 6AD
England
No. 640 Squadron Association
R.W. Goodrum
123 Mandlae Road
Acklam
Middlesbrough
TE5 8AN
England
Squadron Reseachers
No. 78 Squadron Researcher
Micheal Moores LeBlanc
email: mooresleblanc@gmail.com
No. 199 Squadron Researcher
Mr. Douglas Wood
54 Strafford
Calderford
East Kilbride
G74 3QQ
Scoltand
email: drw@latwood.fsnet.co.uk
No. 218 (Gold Coast) Squadron, Historian
Mr. Steve Smith
208 Dunkery Road
Nottingham
London
SE9 4HP
England
No. 424 Squadron, RCAF, Historian
Bomber Command Research Group
Mr. Peter Horwood
PO Box 661
High Wycombe
Buckinghamshire
HP12 4Xt
England
email: research424@aol.com
No. 466 Squadron, RAAF
Mr. John Blakeley
email: pblakele@bigpond.net.au
No. 617 Squadron, Official Historian
M.R. R.M. Owen
3 the Quadrangle
Welyn Garden City
Hertfordshire
AL8 6SG
England
No. 419 Squadron, RCAF
Ms. Sheila Barnett
"Who has advised me that she has records that refer to No. 419 Sqn who flew from RAF Middleton St. George and is pleased to help with any enquiries"
email: shelia.barnett@btinternet.com
No. 626 Squadron Research Project
Holmfirth
West Yorkshire
email: dave.stapleton626@virgin.net
Archives
Australia
Publications Manager
National Archives of Australia
PO Box 7425
Canberra Mail Centre
ACT2619
The Australian War Memorial Collections Database
British
Public Records office
Kew
Richmond
Surrey
TW9 4DU
England
The National Archives
RAF Millon Archives
c/o Mr. Glynn Griffiths, Curator
21 Holburn Hill
Millon, Cumbria
LA18 5BH
email: glynngriffith@hotmail.com
Canadian
Research Services Division
National Archives of Canada
395 Wellington Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0N3
Canada
New Zealand
National Archives of New Zealand
c/o Auckland Regional Office
525 Mt. Wellington Highway, Auckland, New Zealand
PO box 91-220, Auckland, New Zealand
Aircraft Specialists / Researchers
Lancaster and Manchester Bombers
Larry Wright
15160 Prestwick Blvd SE
Calgary, Alberta
T2Z 3W1
Canada
email: larry617@lancaster-archive.com
Halifax Bombers
Rescue 57
16 Bell Court
Grangemouth
Strilingshire
FK3 9BG
England
email: jill@57rescue.org
Handley Page Association
Hon. sec. M.H. Fraser-Mitchell FRAea
16 Gunersey Drive
Fleet
Hants
GU13 8TG
England
Stirling Bombers
Mr. Steve Smith
208 Dunkery Road
Nottingham
London
SE9 4HP England
email: shortstirling@lineone.net
Hampden Bomber
Mr. Bob Mackenzie
12 Beechwood Crescent
Fonthill, Ontario
L0S 1E7
Canada
Whitley Bomber
The "Flying Pencil Pundit"
Max Priband
90 Portland Road
London
W11 4QL
England
Blenheim
Mrs. B. George, MBE
High Gables
Portfield Gate
Haverfordwest
Pembrokeshire
SA62 3LS
England
email: betty.blenheim@tesco.net
Mosquito
DeHavilland Aircraft Heritage Centre
PO Box 107
Salisburg Hall
London Colney
Hertfordshire
AI2 1EX
England
Airfield Research Group
The Airfield Research Group
Mr. Raymond W. Towler
Hon. General Secretary
33a Earls Street
Thetford, Norfolk
IP24 2AB
email: ray.towler@btinternet.com
War Graves Information
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission
2 Marlow Road
Maidenhead
Berkshire
SL6 7DX
England
web site: http://www.cwgc.org/default.asp
Coastal Command
UK Coastal Waters Sea Losses Specialist
Ross McNeil
email: RossMcN@aol.com
Coastal Command & Maritime Air Association
Membership Secretary
6 Needham Road
St. Newlyn East
Newquay, Cornwall
TR8 5LE
England
Other Reference Lists
British And Commonwealth Air Unit Register
(maintained by No. 207 Squadron Association)
web site: http://www.associations.rafinfo.org.uk/
Canadian Force Phot Unit
National Research Council Campus
Building M23
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A oK2
Canada
ADVISORY:
The addresses listed herein have not been validated in a significant amount of time. If you are aware of any changes, please advise me so updates can be made or deletions performed. I am not responsible for incorrect information or for undelivered communications.
Thanks