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ADF Serials Message Board > Aircrew > Ground Crew Information

Posted by: JeffK Nov 18 2012, 08:48 AM

Gday Gentlemen,

I was wondering if it was possible to find much information about the service record of ground crew in the Australia/Bouganville area during WW2?

Posted by: Warhawk Nov 20 2012, 07:04 PM

Hi there Jeff.

Its a bit of work, but it can be done if you know of the following:

* Squadrons, Operational Base Units, etc ( I have alot of A50s myself per 24Sqn RAAF and others
* There are Unit records of these (A50/A51 Forms) per each available at National Archives of Australia, most on line, though if not, its $16.50 to get them done.
* If after a single personel record, if have name will travel per same process

* If after just one name and are fearful of NAA process, I can do a quick look up and help. Send details per questions@adf-serials.com.au

My late Father in Law fought in Bougainville in 1945 with the 25th Bat, and was shot and wounded then repatriated

Any other questions, please add freely here.

Best
Gordy

Posted by: Warhawk Nov 20 2012, 07:11 PM

Of note, some of the Unit's pencil pushers didn't note details per records either, so some A50's can be rather lacking in detail

One of the best A50's is 79 F Squadron in 1943 as per below. It lists all of the aircraft, their codes, details galore and ground crew, month by month, whereas say, 76Sqn, you'd be lucky to find much at all!

Best
Gordy

Posted by: Warhawk Nov 20 2012, 07:16 PM

76Sqn A51 example: et all 1942

This page has been lost for nearly 60+ years as filed near the end of the A50 Records held! As it says, the A50's weren't submitted!

Only recently I've rediscovered the actual "running diary" per Milne Bay, also missing the same period of time

I hope you get the idea that it depends on the Writer of the Unit

Best
Gordy

Posted by: Warhawk Nov 20 2012, 07:23 PM

But by 1943 they had straightened out.

All in all, its a big job,..okay, an enormous job to do, considering "how many RAAF Personel were here, intermingled with RAF, USAAF, RNZAF, RCAF etc in units.

Good luck

Gordy

Posted by: JeffK Nov 21 2012, 04:09 PM

Thanks Guys,

I thought I had to go via NAA, hoping for a shortcut.

I have an uncle who was in the pre-war Militia (8 Art Bde I think), this continued in the Anti Tank/Tank Attack Rgt of 3 Infantry Div until 1943 when he enlisted in the RAAF.

I dony know he was attached to a Sqn or just general Duties

At end of war he is shown as being at an Air Gunnery School.

There is a story in tha family that "He saved the unit", I dont know if it was while in the Militia or in the RAAF and it might have been some amazing act of bravery or keeping the beer cold???

I'll see what I can dig up.

Jeff

Posted by: Warhawk Nov 22 2012, 11:37 AM

So,..send his name over and I can help

Gordy