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SERVICE RECORDS

If you want to know what squadrons an airman was posted into and a whole other series of features about the RAF career of an airman or airwoman, you will need to get a copy of their Service Record with The Royal Air Force.

This usually means you are seeking:

1. If  claiming a record for yourself or for a serviceman or servicewoman who is still alive then you need to go onto this site.

Get a copy of your own military service records- apply-for-your-own-records

This will give you access to a Ministry of Defence Data Protection Act Subject Access Request Form

Officially known as Ministry of Defence Data Protection Act (DPA) 1998 Subject Access Request (SAR) Form (Form 1694 April 2015)

Click this link to  download the form:    DPA 1998 SAR Form MoD Form 1694 – Apr 15  PDF [42.3 KB]

Fill it in as requested, giving as much information as you possibly can.

and send it to:

RAF Disclosures Room 14, Trenchard Hall, RAF Cranwell, Sleaford, Lincolnshire, NG34 8HB
 

The RAF Disclosures Team will then send you a copy of your record of service it is free to the serviceman or servicewoman and also free to a surviving spouse.

Follow the instructions for applying for your own records if you’re acting on behalf of the person, for example you have lasting power of attorney.

2. If  claiming a record for a servicemen or servicewoman who is deceased then you can apply if the following conditions are met:

You need to know the person’s full name, date of birth and service number.

You have in this case to download and fill out two different forms- a request form and a search form.

The request form is one of two different types:

If you are next of Kin: Click here for next of kin’s records request form (PDF, 53KB) - use this form if you’re next of kin or have next of kin’s consent

If you are NOT next of Kin then you are classed a General Enquirer: Click here for Not next of kin’s records request form (PDF, 46KB) - use this form if you’re not next of kin and don’t have next of kin’s consent

 

The search form can be downloaded from:  Click here for Royal Air Force Personnel Search Form

 

Fill them in as requested, giving as much information as you possibly can.

You must include:

 a. The Application Part 1 (general enquirers form) or if you are the immediate next of kin or applying with the consent of the Application Part 1 (next of kin form).

b. A copy of the serviceman’s/woman’s Death Certificate if he/she died following discharge from the service.

c. A fee is payable if you are NOT the spouse or civil partner of the subject at the time of death (or parent if there was no spouse or civil partner), you must include an administration payment [Cheque for £30 (Sterling) per record requested] made payable to ‘HMG Sub Account 3627’.

and send it to:

RAF 3rd Party Disclosure Team, Room 14, Trenchard Hall, RAF Cranwell, Sleaford, LINCS, NG34 8HB

The RAF Disclosures Team will eventually send you a copy of the requested record of service, but remember this is not a large team and it can take some weeks to process. Patience is a virtue!

For many people translating such records is never easy due to the abbreviations encountered but I am always ready to help you decipher the record card. If you are prepared to send me a photocopy then I will be only too willing to help you "translate" the record into a free flowing explanation of the career of the individual. Equally once translated, if you wish, I can provide a free webpage or pages to display their career in Balloon Command.

Contact me at pgarwood@globalnet.co.uk

 

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