Greetings from a new member (1 Viewer)

[Manchestergal]

Hi there, what an amazing source of information. Please help point me to the correct place to post a request for information on my uncle who was a fighter pilot in WW2.

 

[rochie]

Hi there, what an amazing source of information. Please help point me to the correct place to post a request for information on my uncle who was a fighter pilot in WW2.

Welcome aboard.

If you able to post his name and squadron , I'm sure someone will be able to find something for you.

 

[Manchestergal]

Welcome aboard.

If you able to post his name and squadron , I'm sure someone will be able to find something for you.

That's my problem. I know his name, his date of birth and date of death but I haven't been able to find any record of which squadron he was in. I know he was a pilot, I have the photos and I THINK he served in Malaya (maybe somewhere similar). He was Alan Sugden Bancroft, born 20 January 1922 in Salford, died 18 Mar 1972 in Worsley, Manchester.

 

[Wurger]

Hello

Judging by the badge seen on the sleeve he was a Warrant Officer.

 

[Wurger]

Additionally the aircraft in the pic with him seems to be a Republic P-47 Thunderbolt with the white front of the engine cowling. So if the image was taken somewhere in the Asia I would say it could be the India/Burma 1944-1945 . If I'm correct the unit may be one of the RAF Squadrons equipped with the plane type and sent there.

 

[Manchestergal]

Additionally the aircraft in the pic with him seems to be a Republic P-47 Thunderbolt with the white front of the engine cowling. So if the image was taken somewhere in the Asia I would say it could be the India/Burma 1944-1945 . If I'm correct the unit may be one of the RAF Squadrons equipped with the plane type and sent there.

That would fit the family story - although my father recalled it as Malaya/ Malaysia as it is now. Apparently he was shot down and feared dead, but turned up having got to safety. My father has recently died but was 11 years younger than his brother and so the memories are through the lens of a boy/young teen.

Thank you so much - you are being so helpful.

 

[fubar57]

The RAF operated 16 P-47 squadrons in Asia. We'll see if we can narrow that down

 

[special ed]

Welcome to the forum.

 

[Gnomey]

Welcome.

 

[fubar57]

A quick check of RAF P-47 squadrons in the Far East. May be more, may be less, may be wrong, I dunno. If you become a member of the National Archives you can download the squadron Operations Record Books for free

• No. 5 Squadron
• No. 30 Squadron
• No. 34 Squadron
• No. 42 Squadron
• No. 79 Squadron
• No. 113 Squadron
• No. 123 Squadron (Later renumbered to No. 81 Squadron)
• No. 131 Squadron
• No. 134 Squadron
• No. 135 Squadron
• No. 146 Squadron
• No. 258 Squadron
• No. 261 Squadron
• No. 615 Squadron

 

[herman1rg]

Welcome and Bacon

 

[buffnut453]

That's my problem. I know his name, his date of birth and date of death but I haven't been able to find any record of which squadron he was in. I know he was a pilot, I have the photos and I THINK he served in Malaya (maybe somewhere similar). He was Alan Sugden Bancroft, born 20 January 1922 in Salford, died 18 Mar 1972 in Worsley, Manchester.

Welcome to the forum M Manchestergal.

Have you applied to the MOD for his service record? It may take a while but it can provide many of the details you're seeking.

Here's a link that hopefully will get you started:

Get a copy of military records of service

Get military records of service for the Royal Navy (including Royal Marines), British Army and Royal Air Force - who can apply, how long it takes, cost, how to apply.

www.gov.uk

 

[buffnut453]

A quick check of RAF P-47 squadrons in the Far East. May be more, may be less, may be wrong, I dunno. If you become a member of the National Archives you can download the squadron Operations Record Books for free

• No. 5 Squadron
• No. 30 Squadron
• No. 34 Squadron
• No. 42 Squadron
• No. 79 Squadron
• No. 113 Squadron
• No. 123 Squadron (Later renumbered to No. 81 Squadron)
• No. 131 Squadron
• No. 134 Squadron
• No. 135 Squadron
• No. 146 Squadron
• No. 258 Squadron
• No. 261 Squadron
• No. 615 Squadron

M Manchestergal, while you're waiting for the MOD to respond, you could download the Operations Record Books (Forms 540) for each of the squadrons listed from the UK National Archives. They'll be in the AIR 27 section of the archive.

You have to register but that allows you to download the records for free. It'll be a long job searching for your uncle's name across so many units but you should find him eventually.

We can help with the initial search and with interpreting the records if that would be helpful.

 

[Manchestergal]

A quick check of RAF P-47 squadrons in the Far East. May be more, may be less, may be wrong, I dunno. If you become a member of the National Archives you can download the squadron Operations Record Books for free

• No. 5 Squadron
• No. 30 Squadron
• No. 34 Squadron
• No. 42 Squadron
• No. 79 Squadron
• No. 113 Squadron
• No. 123 Squadron (Later renumbered to No. 81 Squadron)
• No. 131 Squadron
• No. 134 Squadron
• No. 135 Squadron
• No. 146 Squadron
• No. 258 Squadron
• No. 261 Squadron
• No. 615 Squadron

That's great advice - I am a member of the National Archives. Thank you

 

[Manchestergal]

M Manchestergal, while you're waiting for the MOD to respond, you could download the Operations Record Books (Forms 540) for each of the squadrons listed from the UK National Archives. They'll be in the AIR 27 section of the archive.

You have to register but that allows you to download the records for free. It'll be a long job searching for your uncle's name across so many units but you should find him eventually.

We can help with the initial search and with interpreting the records if that would be helpful.

Thank you very much for this. I am waiting until I can get a copy of his death certificate from my cousin because I can't get his records without it as he died less than 116 years ago (1922). The Operations records books could be a useful source of information - I am very patient and so I'm up for the long job!

 

[Manchestergal]

Welcome to the forum M Manchestergal.

Have you applied to the MOD for his service record? It may take a while but it can provide many of the details you're seeking.

Here's a link that hopefully will get you started:

Get a copy of military records of service

Get military records of service for the Royal Navy (including Royal Marines), British Army and Royal Air Force - who can apply, how long it takes, cost, how to apply.

www.gov.uk

I can't do it without a copy of his birth certificate because he was born in 1922 and didn't die in service. I should be able to get one from my cousin, then I'll be able to apply.

 

[fubar57]

M Manchestergal Please let us know if you find anything

George