Seeking family history – WWII RAF Records help needed

Hey thanks thats a great idea. On that I wonder if York paper ever wrote anything on them? Ill check that too. I have nearly completed a database now of the ORB records up to the end of September 44 (when my dad was concieved!), i can then query it for the best people to look at first, although Garrido is still top of my list! Caroline.

Another thought! Have you searched the French newspapers for the period 1945 onward, against the possibility that there might be a mention of your man that may, in turn, give you other avenues to follow? There is a very good and extensive online archive at http://gallica.bnf.fr/editors?type=periodicals which, unlike many of those in the UK, is free to access and from which you can download high resolution jpg copies.

Good luck with your research and I hope you find what you are looking for, Caroline.

Thanks Aerial, I have read that thread with great interest and it was that that made me contact this forum! There is such a lot of information on here and very helpful people 🙂 I was also interested to her enquiry about a baby. There must be thousands of ‘war babies’ out there who do not know where they come from. My father now has an incurable cancer which he contracted from a job he loved, and if I could give him a name and a little bit of history he would be a very happy man. But, unfortunately without a name, it is very hard to find anything out!!!

Also thank you nuuumann, I have looked at the museum online but their website seems to linkless at the moment! I think I will ring them on Monday to see if they have any photos from that time in Elvington. We are also considering travelling to Paris to look through the records there. I have not lost hope yet!

Caroline.

WWII RAF Records help needed

You could do it the old fashioned way and try the Department of Research and Information Services (DoRIS) at the RAF Museum.

Caroline, I remembered seeing a thread on here a while back which was very interesting. Captain L. Bourgain was the trigger to set me off searching. It’s now late at night and I haven’t been able to see if any of the details tie in with what you seek, except this one, “Squadron 346”, those numbers match.

It’s fascinating reading Even if it doesn’t get you much further on your direct quest, there will be information on other places to try. Here it is: http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/showthread.php?t=91989

Good luck!

Thanks I have not heard of these forums, I will give them all a try today 🙂
Caroline.

Unless you’ve already done so, you might find it profitable to post your enquiry on one of the French aviation history fora – such as Aéroforums at http://www.aerostories.org/~aeroforums/forumhist/index.php. In the same way as the members of this forum are the source of a vast amount of information concerning British aviation matters, such is the case on the French fora concerning matters French.

Hi Caroline
I suggest you also try the RAF Commands forum as there are some very knowledgeable French researchers on there.

http://www.rafcommands.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?1-Main-Category&

The same applies this forum as well:

http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/forumdisplay.php?f=7

Thanks for info, I had seen the book, i believe there is an english version which I havent been able to get hold yet, Halifax for Liberty? I rang the publisher and he didnt have any but took my phone number for when he prints again. I also looked in the shop at Elvington but they didnt have it either. I had decided it wasnt the same person though, so thats good to know! Caroline.

Hi Grandpaseeker
I nearly sent you that link ! I know that Captain , later Lt Colonel , Louis Bourgaine was a member of Bombardier Lourdes and made frequent return visits to the museum at Elvington . He also wrote a book , see here ;

http://www.abebooks.co.uk/9782840480969/Bombardiers-Lourds-Francais-1943-1945-Sarabande-2840480964/plp

Good luck !

Heres the link to the photo 🙂

http://halifax346et347.canalblog.com/archives/2012/06/01/index.html

Hi, thanks for the reply. Yes we have been to Elvington a number of times and spoke to the director there. He gave me a number of clues including thier rank and possible role from thier badges. They also sent the photo to the french blog but so far no luck. Its an impossible search but me and my dad are enjoying it together!

Im not certain If i can get his records or not? I have read of various places it could be and I guess thats also why I’m here, Im running out of ideas! I am also not sure if I would be allowed to get the records as I cannot prove relation?

thanks caroline.

Caroline, in case you were not aware there is now an aviation museum at Elvington and here is a link to their website http://www.yorkshireairmuseum.org/

As oldgit158 has said I’m sure that they would try to help.

Hi Caroline,

I am sure someone will be along to assist you more than I however if I was you I would start my search at Evlington itself if you cannot obtain a copy of his service records, I know from experience they are a great bunch and always willing to help if they can.