Squadrons based at RAF Bitteswell in WW2.

[Steve C]

I am trying to find out what squadrons were based at RAF Bitteswell in Leicestershire. My father was apparently based there and served in India ( possibly Burma ) for nearly four years in the early 1940`s.

If I could find out what squadrons served there I might be able to find out some more information on my father. Are dis-charge papers available and where could I get a copy/copies?

Would appreciate any information, advice and suggestions.:)

Many thanks Steve

[Geoffers]

For RAF service records, see this link to the Veterans' Agency web-site (http://www.veterans-uk.info/service_records/raf.html)

The Air Force List should give details of which squadrons were posted where. There should be a partial run of this at The Millennium Library in Norwich - The might even have some in Lynn library?

You could also try the RAF museum (http://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/)

[Neil Wilson]

A little history of the units that served at RAF Bitteswell can be found here (http://www.controltowers.co.uk/B/Bitteswell.htm) and try Google, lots of hits for it.

[tomg]

If you contact RAF Innsworth giveing as much information about your father as possible.
They will send yo a copy of his service record. You will need to convince them you are the Next of Kin and pay £25.

The Address is :-

Royal Air Force
Pesonnel Managment Agency
Royal Air Force Innsworth
Gloucester
GL3 1EZ.

[tomg]

I am trying to find out what squadrons were based at RAF Bitteswell in Leicestershire. My father was apparently based there and served in India ( possibly Burma ) for nearly four years in the early 1940`s.

If I could find out what squadrons served there I might be able to find out some more information on my father. Are dis-charge papers available and where could I get a copy/copies?

Would appreciate any information, advice and suggestions.:)

Many thanks Steve

I wonder if he was in the same Squadron as my father. 34 Sqn serving in the Far East for most of the war India, Pakistan, Malaya, Singapore and Burma on returning home he went to 105 (Transport) Operational Training Unit renamed 1381 (Transport) Conversion Unit 10 Aug 1945.

See RAF WEB (http://www.rafweb.org/Index.htm) for more details.

Tom.

[Steve C]

Hi Tom,

Sorry I haven`t answered before now but I`ve recently placed a post on the Canadian section for one of my ancestors who served with the Canadian Expeditionary Force during WW1, so I`ve been slightly distracted.

Thankyou for your replies and the information enclosed. Unfortunately I don`t know what squadron my father served in. I suppose the only way to find out would be to contact RAF Innsworth.

Steve

[tomg]

I gather the fee has gone up since I requested my fathers Service history. I think it's £30 now.

I think you pay that even if they don't find the record.

I seem to recall I only gave his Full Name and DoB. But if you have more such as Service number and dates of service it will of course help esp if youhave a common name.

When you get it it's a bit cryptic. The postings to Squadrons are ease you may get say 34 Sqdn. That is a Squadron that spent some time in Burma I believe. But there are also postings to things like 7034. S.E. Then you have to hunt around that RAF Web site I mentioned.

Interestingly my Father also went to the Far East and served in Burma. and went to Bramcote or possibly Bitteswell as it is a Satellite of Bramcote. May be our fathers served together. :-)

Do you know what Medals your Father was awarded? If he went to Burma he may well have the Burma Star. Perhaps like my father he also served in the Pacific in which case he would have the Pacific Star with a Burma Clasp. Or a Burma Star with the Pacific Clasp. ( They didn't award both Stars you just got the first one you qualified for and then a Clasp for the other.)

Anyway once you get the record ask me any questions youlike I may not know hte answer but at least I've been though the hoop once.

Tom.