Evening All.
I’ve recently met up with relatives of S/L David Evans, a BoB pilot who served with 615, 607 and 257 squadrons but who, sadly, was killed later in the war air-testing a Mosquito out of Church Fenton.
I’m keen to find out if there is any further information which is available about Mr. Evans and how one goes about (for a relative) accessing his RAF service record and the CWGC so I can pass this on to Mr. Evans’ nephew.
I have a copy of Kenneth G. Wynn’s excellent book Men Of The Battle Of Britain, so I am able to provide the relatives with more information than they previously had but I am interested to see if there is more to be found from private sources, perhaps?
David Evans’ sister-in-law is still alive and, on talking to her recently, I was amazed to hear from her that she was one of the radar operators in the Chain Home radar network during the BoB. I suggested to her that her story was important as she was at the front line during those early years of WW2 and played a part in winning The Battle. She brushed this off and, so far, wonders why anyone would want to know her story. I shall keep asking!
Thanks in advance for any help or advice in this matter.
Anon.
By: Arabella-Cox - 23rd March 2015 at 22:24
Thanks, Geoff.
Thanks also, Ross, for the comprehensive info.
Anon.
By: Foray - 23rd March 2015 at 20:56
Anon,
See PM for the details mentioned in post #4.
Geoff
By: Ross_McNeill - 23rd March 2015 at 07:40
No and might be Moggy.
“Under the scheme, and in recognition of the duty of care owed to the family of the deceased subject, for a period of 25 years following the date of death of the subject and without the consent of the next of kin, MOD will disclose only:
•surname
•forename
•rank
•service number
•regiment/corps
•place of birth
•age
•date of birth
•date of death where this occurred in service
•the date an individual joined the service
•the date of leaving
•good conduct medals (for example, Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (LS&GCM)), any orders of chivalry and gallantry medals (decorations of valour) awarded, some of which may have been announced in the London Gazette
After this period, and if it is held, in addition MOD will disclose without the requirement for next of kin consent:
•the units in which he/she served
•the dates of this service and the locations of those units
•the ranks in which the service was carried out and details of campaign medals awarded”
The admin fee is also variable
“The administration fee of £30 will be waived for requests from those who were the spouse or civil partner of the subject at the time of death (or parent if there was no spouse or civil partner).”
“Where the consent of the immediate next of kin has been given for its release to a third party, the 25 year threshold will not apply allowing the release of all the information available under the publication scheme at any time, subject to the payment of an administration fee of £30 per record and the provision of a death certificate (except where death was in service).”
https://www.gov.uk/requests-for-personal-data-and-service-records
You can see the rules and download the correct forms on the above link
It is also very worth while to scroll to the bottom of the MoD page to see the forms for getting additional information from the RAF Casualty Files. This is the way to get info from the Casualty Packs yet to be released to The National Archives.
Ross
By: Moggy C - 22nd March 2015 at 23:38
His service records can be obtained by writing to the RAF at the following address:-
RAF Disclosures
Room 6, Trenchard Hall ……
Just to add this request must come from close family and there is a charge.
Moggy
By: Arabella-Cox - 22nd March 2015 at 22:57
Geoff, yes please, that would be helpful, they will be very pleased.
Thanks,
Anon.
By: Foray - 22nd March 2015 at 22:46
Hi,
Pilot Officer (as he was then) Evans was only with 257 Squadron for a month, during which time he flew about a dozen sorties. Gerry’s suggestion will give you full background details, but if you would like the details of his 257 Sqdn flights to pass on to the family just say.
Geoff
By: Arabella-Cox - 21st March 2015 at 21:45
Thanks for that, Gerry.
So would I. I will be meeting her again this week so I will pry gently and hope she is a bit more forthcoming.
Anon.
By: gedburke3 - 21st March 2015 at 21:39
Hi,
You could start by looking here- http://www.bbm.org.uk/EvansD.htm
His service records can be obtained by writing to the RAF at the following address:-
RAF Disclosures
Room 6, Trenchard Hall
RAFC Cranwell
Sleaford
Lincs NG34 8HB
Good luck with your research.
I would certainly like to know more about his sister in laws experiences at that time.
Gerry
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March 21, 2015 at 9:31 pm