Finding how my uncle died

[Sullivanmf]

I am researching my uncle 1398553 sergeant Anthony Aloysius O’Brien. He flew from RAF Lossiemouth? He was killed on the 11th January 1945. He was a navigator. That is all I know. His sister is 90 and I would love to be able to tell her how her brother died and the circumstances surrounding his death. He was 22 years old and in the RAFVR. If anyone can help me I would be very grateful .

[simmo1]

Hi

Here he is on CWGC - https://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/c...hony-aloysius/
Apply for his service records here - https://www.gov.uk/get-copy-military-service-records
Then when you know his squadron you can look here - https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/h...oks-1939-1945/

regards

Robert

[peter nicholl]

The CWGC site shows he was with 20 OTU, which ties in with Lossiemouth.

[geneius]

There is a reference to Southern cemetery on this site. scroll to the bottom

https://www.rafcommands.com/forum/sho...men-11-01-1945

search site for Southern Cemetery
https://www.
burialrecords.manchester.gov.uk/GenLogin.aspx

Obit in Manchester Evening News - Tuesday 16 January 1945

Suggests result of a flying accident, he was a past pupil at St Bede's College

Mass at St Kentigerns

St Bedes https://
www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/367254544584874636/ has a brief bibliography under Aloysius O’Brien.

[Pam Downes]

Hi

Here he is on CWGC - https://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/c...hony-aloysius/
Apply for his service records here - https://www.gov.uk/get-copy-military-service-records
Then when you know his squadron you can look here - https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/h...oks-1939-1945/

regards

Robert

As next of kin, your aunt will have to apply, or else sign the form authorising you to apply, for the service records.

Anthony's death certificate can be found on Scotlandspeople.
https://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk
Seems there are two registrations, one under 'Service Returns', the other under Drainie registration district, the latter being where he died. I don't know whether one will have slightly different details on it to the other. And all either of them might say will be 'flying accident'. Anthony's service records might give more information.

Pam

[Peter Goodey]

I'm not familiar with RAF records but perhaps there will be a reference in this file...

https://discovery.nationalarchives.go...ils/r/C4100373

[gortonboy]

Died whilst assigned to 20 OTU at RAF Lossiemouth, Scotland on 11 January 1945 in a Wellington X, Serial: LR140 . All the crew died when the aircraft crashed at sea, position unknown.

[geneius]

Anthony's death certificate can be found on Scotlandspeople.
https://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk

You should be able to buy credits on this site and look at the info, 30 credits cost £7.50, to view each item will cost 6 credits x 2

Beware, your Aunt may have been led to believe that her brother died in different circumstances to those you are about to find!

[Pam Downes]

You should be able to buy credits on this site and look at the info, 30 credits cost £7.50, to view each item will cost 6 credits x 2

Beware, your Aunt may have been led to believe that her brother died in different circumstances to those you are about to find!

Reading gortonboy's post (#7) previous to yours it seems that a death certificate might not be needed to find out cause of death, though one certificate will be needed to apply for the service records.

Pam

[macwil]

. . . though one certificate will be needed to apply for the service records. Pam

Sorry Pam, not true. The SEARCH DOCUMENT Application Part 2, Under the heading You must include: Note b. states ' A copy of the serviceman's/woman's Death Certificate if he/she died following discharge from the service. ( my bold emphasis)
As the OP's uncle was still serving at the time of his demise a Death Cert is NOT required.

Regards,
Malcolm