Aircrew service numbers Q?

Thanks for clearing that up Errol. Especially the thing about the ‘month’ formula – a couple of old airman had told me that one was used, but I couldn’t work it out and thought they must have been mistaken.

In th NZT prefix, what was the ‘T’ for – Territorial?

I have comes across at least one that was NZA39… too. This was an airman who’d signed up to the Reserve in early 1939. I wondered if the A had anything to do with this.

Regarding numbers allotted to RNZAF personnel, the following excerpt from Vols One and Two of my trilogy ‘For Your Tomorrow – A record of New Zealanders who have died while serving with the RNZAF and Allied Air Services since 1915’ may be of assistance.

“Airmen, or Other Ranks, of the RNZAF were not allotted numbers until September 1938 and direct entry officers until late 1941. Numbers for airmen enlisting after the outbreak of war bore the letter ‘A’ prefix, while pre-war regulars retained their original non-prefixed number. On or shortly before 21 August 1940 all numbers were prefixed ‘NZ’ only, although later variations such as NZC, NZT and NZW were introduced. A ‘W’ prefix was applied to numbers (commencing at 1100) allotted to members of the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF) when that service was created in early 1941. The first two digits of an airman’s number indicated the year in which he enlisted, e.g. NZ421234 attests to enlistment in 1942. Pre-war Territorial Air Force (TAF) airmen provided an exception, their numbers featuring an additional number prefix to indicate membership of the Wellington (4 prefix), Christchurch (5) or Auckland (6) Squadrons – e.g. NZ539084 identified this airman as having enlisted with the Christchurch Territorial Squadron in 1939. When numbers for officers, other than those commissioned from the ranks (who retained their original airman’s number), were allotted from September 1941 they started at NZ1001.

This system was rationalised in 1948-49, a new number-only series commencing at 70,000 (130,000 for the TAF) being introduced in January 1949.”

Numbers could range from four to seven figures. Initially numbers were issued pretty much on a consecutive basis, but by 1942 less so and, increasingly, some individual or blocks of numbers were not allotted at all. There was no ‘month’ formula used by the RNZAF, though I believe that the RAAF applied this to some (the majority?) of its numbering.

Errol

That’s very helpful, thanks Dave.

Were they the only ones doing so? (Australians in the RAAF seem to just be a number sequence, like the RAF, and I’ve not got enough of a sample with RNZAF SAAF etc.)

James, in WWII the RNZAF almost always had the prefix NZ before the six-to-seven numeral serial. This came in very soon into the war. Before this airmen had a four digit number basically issued in the first months of war (or those already serving from prewar). But with the realisation of big numbers joining they changed the allocation system. The next two numbers after NZ denoted the year joined, so NZ39XXXX meant the airman joined in 1939. I’ve been told also that the second pair denoted the month, but this doesn’t always tally so I can’t say that for certain, and I doubt this. The serial was usually six numbers, sometimes seven.

As well as that NZ prefix, some airmen got an additional ‘A’, so it would read NZA39XXXX – and I think the ‘A’ stood for Auxiliary – ie those who had been in the Reserve prewar. This I have not confirmed. I’m certain Errol Martyn can correct me if this is wrong.

Additionally there was another prefix, that of the letter ‘C’. This was added into the serial if the airman had served in the Air Training Corps before joining, and was going through the slightly fast-tracked entry system so as not to go over stuff already learned. So their serial was like NZC43XXXX

Funnily enough when you ask an airman his serial number, they always remember the numbers but very seldom mention the NZ prefix. Most of the WAAF’s I’ve interviewed don’t rememebr their number at all, full stop!

Many thanks Archie.

I’m reseaching a Canadian officer serving with the RAF – and interestingly it looks like he’s crewed up with a couple of RCAF NCOs when he could – going by their service numbers; which is not surprising, but interesting. Maybe they understood each other over the intercom better, eh. 😀

I’ll follow up on your leads – many thanks!

James,

As far as I know, Canadian Service numbers were always prefixed by either ‘J’ or ‘R’. The ‘J’ prefix was used for Commissioned Officers and the ‘R’ for NCO’s. When an NCO was commissioned he was given a totally new Service Number with a ‘J’ prefix.

With RCAF airmen serving in the RAF it is my understanding that they retained their Canadian service number. Certainly this seems to be the case with bomber crews that I’ve researched where they are RAF Squadrons with a mixed crew of RAF, RCAF, RAAF etc. The Canadians always appear to have the ‘R’ or ‘J’ prefix.

There is someone over on the RAF Commands board who seems to be very clued up on Service Numbers and can indicate the approximate period that an airman joined the RAF based on the Service Number (they were allocated in blocks at specific periods). Perhaps you could try searching the archives there or post the question you’ve asked here over there as well? http://www.rafcommands.com/cgi-bin/dcforum/dcboard.cgi?az=list&forum=DCForumID6&conf=DCConfID1

I think there is also some information re Service Numbers in Christopher Shores
‘Aces High Volume 2’. It’s in a section six pages long and contains basic information. I’m afraid I don’t have a copy of the book so can’t check.