Raaf Service Numbers

[Dean]

An off-shoot of another topic. The information has come from a document I received years ago by an unknown author who sourced the details come from Medals to Australia by R D Williams ISBN 0 7316 8175 4 (3rd edition).

These appear to be service numbers issued from 1940 onwards and to say that a service number was not re-allocated to another member is not true. The best example of this is the allocation on the No.1 to TWO people.

The first allocation of No.1 was to CPL A.W. (Spud) Murphy (later T/ ACDR by 1945) in 1921 and was later re-allocated in 1940 to AM Richard Williams (rather fittingly since he was considered the Father of The Air Force). Murphy's number was No.14 by this time.

At exactly what point the issuing of existing service numbers ceased is unknown but needless to say many would have been re-used.


The numbering system used by the Royal Australian Air Force was identical for Officers and other ranks. Blocks of numbers were allocated to each State. Air Crews were identified with serial numbers between 400001 and 459999 which were retained in the post war period. As more numbers were issued than were necessary, a great deal were never used.

The women personnel (WAAAF) Officers and other ranks were issued separate numbers, unlike their male counterparts.

Victoria
1-5999; 7300-7599; 8001-9465; 10001-12000; 12444-14000; 18001-20000; 40001-43000; 49001-60000; 116501-121500; 125001-130000; 142001-150000; 156000-160999; 173000-173999; 185000-186999; 205001-207000; 250000-259999 (also Tasmania);

Air Crew
400001-401999; 408501-410999; 418000-419999; 428250-428669; 430001-432000

New South Wales
6000-6999; 7600-7899; 12001-12443; 14001-16000; 20001-22000; 32001-38000; 60001-75000; 130001-140000; 161000-169999; 188000-188999; 207000-210000; 260000-269999;

Air Crew
402000-403999; 411000-413999; 420000-424999; 428670-429299; 432001-434000

Queensland
9500-9749; 22001-26000; 43001-45000; 75001-80000; 123001-125000; 150001-152000; 170000-172999; 187000-187999; 270000-279999;

Air Crew
404000-405999; 414000-414999; 425000-426999; 429300-429619; 434001-436000

South Australia
26001~29000; 39001-40000; 47001-49000; 115001-116500; 121501-123000; 140001-142000; 152001-155999; 280000-289999;

Air Crew
407000-407999; 416000-417999; 429801-430000; 437001-438000

Western Australia
7000-7271; 9750-10000; 16001-18000; 29001-30000; 38001-39000; 45001-47000; 80001-88000; 21001-249999; 290000-299999;

Air Crew
406000-406999; 415000-415999; 427000-427999; 429620-A29800; 436001-437000

Tasmania
30001-32000; 88001-89999;

Air Crew
408000-408500; 428000-428249; 438001-438250

WAAF Officers
350000-354099.

Other Ranks
90000-184061 All States

Reserves all States
300000

[gordon]

Thanks Dean, much appreciated.

Interesting for what it leaves out. Nothing for the 44???? or 45???? aircrew serials in any state and no 41???? aircrew serials for Tasmania. Interesting.

Did u find that doco with the complete list of serials?

Gordon

[Dean]

I found the second document and what I thought was a more complete information appears to be a copy of the same information. Higher numbers in the 44xxxx and 45xxxx ranges are known but unfortunately my information still doesn't cover this. Sorry Gordon.

[gordon]

That's ok. Thanks for sharing the info u have.

Gordon

[Dean]

A couple of new additions (via the WWII Nominal Roll)

443251 - 446294 (NSW)

446295 to 448999 not issued

449000 - 450884 (VIC)

450885 to 452999 not issued

453000 - 453289 (QLD)

453290 to 454999 not issued

455000 - 455289 (WA)

455290 to 456999 not issued

457000 - 457073 (SA)

It appears that no more service numbers were issued after this block. Naturally this list should not be considered complete and should be used as a guide only

This post has been edited by Dean on Dec 29 2006, 08:39 PM