G’day Aircraft History Gurus!
This is my first post here so since one has to start somewhere – I thought I would make this one challenging! I have a keen interest in most things aerial, particularly if they are related to WWII. I tend to collect (some would say hoard) books from that era.
During one of my recent book hunting excursions, I picked up a book about the RAF’s second year in the war (the actual title escapes me at the moment as I am at work). This book had been presented to the Air Gunners School reference library at RAF Evanton on 31 Jul 42 by C SQN, 73 Course. Inside the front cover are pics of the 4 cadets (cut from a group photo) who presented the book, as well as a map of the UK showing where they came from. Based on my (possibly inaccurate) deciphering of the signatures, the course members were:
G. Price
L. Lewis
R. Frazer
G.H. Range (or possibly J.H. Range)
I have attached a couple of scans from the inside cover of the book (hopefully they will come through ok) to let you see what I found.
There is a reasonable amount of information on the web related to RAF Evanton, but I could find no details of 73 Course or the members who presented the book based on the limited information that I have. If possible, I would like to find out the details for these airmen, and their course and wartime service, and return the book to either themselves (assuming they survived the war and the subsequent decades) or to family members.
I posted this query on a local Military History folder, and one of our contributors was kind enough to pass me the contact details for this site (I reckon he will read this shortly – many thanks!). If any of you out there could assist me in this quest in any way I would be very thankful.
Kind regards
Rob
By: Whitley_Project - 16th March 2012 at 23:28
I would think a good start would be to get a copy of the units operational record book (or equivalent) during this period. It might give more info including the correct initials and maybe even service numbers…
The national archives should hold the records.
Also, try posting this on the raf commands forum – they are also very knowledgable.
By: Whitley_Project - 16th March 2012 at 23:28
I would think a good start would be to get a copy of the units operational record book (or equivalent) during this period. It might give more info including the correct initials and maybe even service numbers…
The national archives should hold the records.
Also, try posting this on the raf commands forum – they are also very knowledgable.
By: chriscilla - 16th March 2012 at 21:24
RAF Evanton
Just a quick one. Anyone researching Evanton might like to know it was called Novar in the 1930’s and was the home of FAA Flights whilst they were ashore. The site was part of Novar Estates and was near Evanton village.
By: chriscilla - 16th March 2012 at 21:24
RAF Evanton
Just a quick one. Anyone researching Evanton might like to know it was called Novar in the 1930’s and was the home of FAA Flights whilst they were ashore. The site was part of Novar Estates and was near Evanton village.
By: Evantonaust - 15th March 2012 at 11:31
G’day all!
You are quite right – it is late (well 2230h) here so hopefully I will be able to get in before the Spitfire threads fire up again! 😉
My apologies for the tardy response – it has been a while since I logged on. So far I have drawn a blank for all my enquiries, it seems this task is intended to challenge me greatly!
The lead to John Harvey Range is a fresh one though. So I’ll strike out on that path and keep you informed regarding progress.
Many thanks to all those who have responded, and also those who have viewed the thread.
Guess I’d better get a bit of beauty sleep now….
Cheers
Rob
By: Evantonaust - 15th March 2012 at 11:31
G’day all!
You are quite right – it is late (well 2230h) here so hopefully I will be able to get in before the Spitfire threads fire up again! 😉
My apologies for the tardy response – it has been a while since I logged on. So far I have drawn a blank for all my enquiries, it seems this task is intended to challenge me greatly!
The lead to John Harvey Range is a fresh one though. So I’ll strike out on that path and keep you informed regarding progress.
Many thanks to all those who have responded, and also those who have viewed the thread.
Guess I’d better get a bit of beauty sleep now….
Cheers
Rob
By: TonyT - 27th February 2012 at 14:58
Try emailing link at bottom of this page, might help
By: Resmoroh - 27th February 2012 at 13:19
Rob, Hi,
This might have you running up a gum tree! But this might (rpt, might) just be one of your men?
I have found (quite by accident) a John Harvey Range. He Enlists in the RAFVR sometime soon after Sep 1939 at Padgate – No 1021012. He gets Commissioned (from Warrant Officer) in the RAFVR GD Branch on 24 Jan 45 (Officer number 191888). There are a number of hits on that Officer number in the LG. He appears to have Transferred to the A&SD Branch on 31 Oct 46. Next he goes to the PF Branch on 1 Jan 47 (question:- when was the PF Branch ‘invented’?)
HTH, but sorry if it’s Duff Gen!
Resmoroh
By: Propstrike - 27th February 2012 at 12:12
Hi Rob,
Welcome to the forum, and sorry you seem to have drawn a bit of a blank so far.
I am guessing you might be in the Antipodes, so you are posting in the dead of night ( for some of us ) , and by the time the new day has started, you have already been usurped by five new Spitfire threads 😉
Hopefully something helpful will emerge soon !
By: Evantonaust - 27th February 2012 at 12:03
Seeking Air Gunner Course Information – RAF Evanton
Hi Gurus – just thought I would give this thread a bump! As detailed in my original post below, I am seeking any leads, links or information regarding No. 73 Air Gunners Course at RAF Evanton. I am trying to get a book presented by some of these course members back to either the members pictured in the front (unlikely given the time frame) or to their near relatives/descendants. My biggest problem to date is trying to identify the airmen involved.
If anyone out there can assist with links to Air Gunner course nominal rolls or any other information I reckon that would be a fantastic start!
Cheers
Rob
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January 31, 2012 at 12:17 pm