Service Information & Sourcing
This page is a signposting facility to aid the sourcing of information relating to service history and searching for individuals through a number of useful websites and organisations.
To search for comrades, share experiences, stories, memories, photographs and opinions, please register on RAF-Comrade-Contact the website for RAFA Members.
Veterans Agency
Veterans Agency, a merger of the SPVA and VA, is the single point of contact within the Ministry of Defence for providing information, help and advice on issues of concern to veterans and their families.
The new Agency will provide for the first time, a range of 'through life' support functions direct to around 900,000 serving and ex-service personnel.
- The Veterans Agency has a freephone number which is 0800 169 2277
Royal Air Force Service Records
Royal Air Force personnel records are held at RAF Cranwell. If service number and details are known, please quote it in the correspondence. The personnel records department will only divulge information to the person to whom it refers, of if he or she has died, to his or her immediate next of kin. Anyone else must obtain written permission from the person about whom they are enquiring or from his or her next of kin, before any information will be given to them.
A charge of £30.00 will be made for any information provided, if cheques are submmitted with queries, they should be made payable to 'HMG Sub-Account 3627'. This applies to personnel records only. The only people exempt from charge are the person to whom the records refer or to their widow or widower.
For records of decorations and citations
- RAF Disclosures Section, Room 221b, Trenchard Hall, RAF Cranwell, Sleaford, Lincs, NG34 8HB
- Officers - 01400 261 201 ex 8161 / 8159
- Other Ranks - 01400 261 201 ex 8163 / 8168 / 8170
For medal claims:
- MOD Medal Office, SPVA, RAF Innsworth, Gloucester, GL3 1HW
Records for precursors of the RAF (the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Air Service) are held at the National Archives, as ar RAF records for service during the First World War.
Casualty Enquiries
Information about casualties is deemed to be personal and only enquiries in writing or on behalf of next of kin can normally be considered. Casualty enquiries are dealt with by:
- Service Personnel & Veterans Agency, Joint Casualty & Compassionate Centre, Building 182, RAF Innsworth, Gloucester, GL3 1HW and;
- Air Historical Branch (RAF), RAF Northolt, West End Road, Ruislip, Middx, HA4 6NG
Air Historical Branch (RAF) also maintain historical records relating to individual aircraft.
The National Archives
The National Archives is the national repository for official Government records, including the War Office files and records amongst which are to be found surviving unit war diaries and army service records.
Visitors must be registered in person and obtain a Reader's Ticket with appropriate proof of identity. For information, please telephone 020 8392 5200.
The National Archives are located at the following address:
- Ruskin House, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 4DU
- Enquiries by phone - 020 8876 3444 or Fax 020 8878 8905
- National Archives Website
The Family Records Centre (FRC)
The Family Records Centre is the official source for tracing family records through various means including those who have served in one of the armed forces. Some records survive from as far back as the Civil War, however, most family history researchers will find the more recent records from World War I the most useful.
The Family Records Centre can be found at the following address:
- 1 Myddleton Street, London, EC1R 1UW
- Family Records Centre Website
Royal Air Force Museum - World War I Casualty Records
- Royal Air Force Museum, Grahame Park Way, Hendon, London NW9 5LL
- Telephone: 0208 205 2266 ext 4873
- RAF Museum Website
Imperial War Museum
- Imperial War Museum, Lambeth Road, London, SE1 6HZ
- Telephone: 0207 416 5000
- Fax: 0207 416 5374
- Imperial War Museum Website
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
- 2 Marlow Road, Maidenhead, Berks, SL6 7DX
- Commonwealth War Graves Commission Website
This site now has a searchable database (The 'Debt of Honour Register' ) containing the names of 1.7 million casualties from both World Wars and the 23,000 cemeteries, memorials and other locations world-wide where they are commemorated. The register can also be searched for details of the 67,000 Commonwealth civiliants who died as a result of enemy action in the Second World War.
Tracemart Limited - People Tracing Services
If you require further assistance in tracing someone then Tracesmart Ltd is a company that may be able to help, information can be found on their website:
New Years Honours 2012
To make your donation online now
to the RAF Association. click here »
Blades Merchandise now in stock
Our new Blades products from the 2011 airshow season are now available online in the RAFA ShopClick here »
Welcome to the RAF Association
The First Annual Report of the Armed Forces Covenant
The First Annual Report on the Armed Forces Covenant has been published. Signed off by the Secretary of State for Defence, the RAF Families Federation is hoping to stimulate Parliamentary debate as to the progress of the Covenant and its impact on improving the lives of serving personnel and their f... Read more »
RAF wine a treat for RAF mess
A highly acclaimed RAF wine has gone down a storm at RAF Cranwell, raising hundreds of pounds for the RAF Association in the process. Read more »
2011 Everest Base Camp – Yeti Trek
RAFALO Dave Craven left RAF Cottesmore last year, bound for the Himalayas in search of the fabled yeti, or to be more accurate, to trek to Everest Base Camp raising almost £3000 for the RAF Association. Read more »
Wellington Bomber Bike Ride, Waterbeach to Landsmeer
A group of airmen from RAF Brize Norton will take on a huge commemorative feat for the RAF Association's Wings Appeal when they cycle 400 miles in four days. Read more »
15% off shared rooms at our Homes from Home
We are offering 15% off the cost of a stay for each person when sharing a room at Flowerdown House, Rothbury House or Richard Peck House. Read more »
Trek the Great Wall of China 14-23 September 2012
Discover a country immersed in history, mythology and ancient traditions and trek the Great Wall of China while raising valuable funds for the RAF Association's Wings Appeal Read more »
Cycle London to Paris 22-25 June 2012
Encounter historic towns, sleepy villages and rolling countryside en-route from London to Paris Read more »
Nightrider - 9th to 10th June 2012
Cycle London at night and raise funds for the RAF Association's Wings Appeal Read more »
Great East Swim 16th June 2012
The Perfect Challenge for swimmers of all abilities, take part in the Great East Swim for the RAF Association's Wings Appeal Read more »
Great Manchester Run - 20th May 2012
Take part in the nation's favourite 10k running event for the RAF Association's Wings Appeal Read more »
Take on a skydive for the Wings Appeal
Challenge yourself and take on a skydive for the RAF Association's Wings Appeal. Read more »
New Years Honours 2012
A group of hardworking and dedicated individuals have been nominated to receive the RAF Association’s highest honour. Read more »
A helping hand for those who need it
For many elderly veterans living alone, loneliness and isolation is their reward for the sacrifices they made for their country. The RAF Association has a UK-wide network of over 550 voluntary welfare officers who actively seek out ex-RAF personnel and their families in need of support Read more »
Jon-Allan nominated for British Cycling award
Following his huge successes over the past year, former SAC Jon-Allan Butterworth has been nominated for British Cycling’s Ride of the Year 2011. Read more »
Christmas calling from the frontline
The RAF Association will send another 3,000 Miles More Minutes telephone cards out to Afghanistan this Christmas to support serving personnel. Read more »
Trekking the Trail
After months of planning, training and fundraising a trio of trekkers from RAF Lyneham and RAF Marham completed the Great Wall of China trail to raise money for the RAF Association’s Wings Appeal Read more »
In memory of Flt Lt Sean Cunningham - Red 5
We would like to express our great sadness at the tragic death of Flight Lieutenant Sean Cunningham – Red 5 of the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows. Read more »
On track to the Paralympics
After losing his left arm in a rocket attack in Basra, former SAC Jon-Allan Butterworth took up cycling as a professional career upon leaving the RAF. His goal now is to compete at the 2012 Paralympics in London. Read more »
Former airman takes to the skies for the Wings Appeal
When former SAC Christopher Hawes, 37, was medically discharged from the RAF he didn’t know where to turn for the support he needed. The RAF Association provided Christopher with the advice and support that he was so desperately looking for when he needed it the most. Read more »
Rewards from the RAFATHON
RAF Association President Air Marshal Sir Dusty Miller KBE was welcomed to RAF Waddington to meet the team behind the station’s leg of the 2011 RAFAthon. Read more »
Calling all runners! Edinburgh Marathon Festival 26/27 May 2012
The Edinburgh Marathon Festival is one of the UK's major running events so join the RAF Wings Appeal team to make sure you're involved Read more »
Taking the plunge
71 years after he first joined the RAF, 92-year old WWII veteran John Hitchmough is once again returning to the skies, to take part in his first ever skydive in aid of the RAF Association. Read more »
200 Days 3,500 Miles An Anthology of Poems
This book of poems written by the families and members of 27 Squadron RAF Regiment is dedicated to all the men and women who have served with the Royal Air Force Regiment and their families. Read more »
Show the world you care online
Add our new Twibbons to your Facebook and Twitter profiles and help us spread the word! Read more »
The RAF Association Wings Appeal - Miles More Minutes Campaign
The RAF Association's Wings Appeal - Miles More Minutes Campaign Read more »
