Further to Nick’s post this is his promotion history within the RAF

Service No. (926563) indicates NCO enlistment at Uxbridge September 1939.

London Gazette, Issue 36100 16th July 1943, as of 14th April 1943 Warrant Officer 926563 Albert Edward Fairman (146431) commissioned at the rank of Pilot Officer

London Gazette, Issue 36219 19th October 1943, as of 14th October 1943, 146431 A.E. Fairman promoted to Flying Officer.

I had considered spending a day at Kew going through ORBs for Bomber Command Whitley squadrons to see if his name cropped up.