Here’s a long shot, now that so much of the expertise that hitherto thrived here is gone …..
I’m trying to piece together the career of Ronald Dallas Brett, the author of ‘History of British Aviation 1908 – 1914’. I won’t trouble you regarding his civilian career but someone might be able to help me with his RAF career.
My researches so far indicate that he joined the fledgling RAF on 8 July 1918. His service number may have been 180249. I do not know for how long, after this, he served in the RAF or what rank(s) he achieved whilst doing so. However it appears that he had left the RAF by 1928 for he was then the Hon. Secretary of the Cinque Ports Flying Club, Lympne, and practising as a solicitor in Hythe.
I presume that after active service with the RAF, he joined the RAFVR as he was called up, near to the start of WW2, and allocated to the Administrative & Special Duties Branch of the RAF. I can trace him being appointed Pilot Officer on 17 May 1940 and Flying Officer on 15 December 1940 but I haven’t traced any subsequent promotions. Nor do I know when he left the RAF.
I wonder if anyone can contribute some flesh to clothe the bare bones of his RAF career as outlined above. If you can, I offer my thanks in advance and anticipation.
AA
By: avion ancien - 11th May 2020 at 16:58
Thank you, Laurence. I suspect that I’ve got most of the civilian material (although I still need to pay a visit to the Law Society library in the hope of filling some gaps). But in case I’m wrong, please do send to me what you have. You have my e-mail address (but if it’s not to hand, let me know and I will send an e-mail to you). What would interest me is material concerning his WW2 RAF career and when that came to an end. I’ve tried to source that via Ancestry but it keeps sending me to its French site. Argh!
Oracal, if you take a look at http://sussexhistoryforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=16855.0 it gives an indication of that which I’ve found so far.
By: l.garey - 11th May 2020 at 14:54
There is more about his family, if you want it. Also copies of his Aviator’s certificate (and photograph), number 8319 dated 1.7.1928 at Cinque Ports FC on DH60X.
He too was a solicitor, like his Dad.
If you want any of this let me know.
Laurence
By: l.garey - 11th May 2020 at 14:36
A bit more from Ancestry: born 6.8.1900 Egham, father Alexander Dallas Brett, solicitor (!), mother Ethel Mary. 23 Station Rd, Egham. Baptised 3.9.1900, Egham, St Johns.
Laurence
By: l.garey - 11th May 2020 at 14:26
I had a quick look at https://www.forces-war-records.co.uk/ and see: 180249 RAF 1918, 79293 Flt Lt 1942, temporary Sqn Ldr 1944.
I assume that Rifleman RD Brett S4311 may be a different person, but I didn’t check further.
I’ll have another look round.
Cheers, Laurence
By: Arabella-Cox - 11th May 2020 at 11:56
You don’t say where you have already researched.
A chunk of his service record is available from the National Archives [AIR 79/1628/180249], and the same file is also downloadable from Find My Past (co.uk).
Also, RAF List and London Gazette may assist you.
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May 10, 2020 at 4:02 pm