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  1. #1
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    Default Private Smith, 1 Balloon Sqn RAF, Batman

    The following is the British Royal Air Force, Airmen's service records 1912-1939 entry for my Great Uncle Billy.
    No 165384 Charles William Smith; b. 29 Nov 1887 in Sheffield, Yorkshire, CoE; RAF Engaged 9 May 1918 Age: 30yr 5mo for Duration of War. Occ: hairdresser; NoK: Martha (sic Matthew) Grayson Smith of 129 Frank Street, Benwell, Newcastle-on-Tyne, mother. Ht: 5ft 8 1/4ins, Hair: dark brown; Eyes: Grey, Complexion: Sallow. Transferred to RAF Reserve; 11 May 1919; Discharged: 30 April 1920.
    Enlisted Private 2: to RD 9 May 1918; RD to BEF 18 July 1918; Appointed A/Corporal 7 Sep 1918;BEF to RD 17 Dec 1918; RD to 1 Ball Sqdn 22 Dec 1918; 1 Bln Sqdn to Des Cen Ripon 11 April 1919. Trade Classification: Batman. France: 18 July 1918 to 17 Dec 1918; BW & V Medal
    I was hoping to find out (from his No. maybe) where he would have been posted in France; What is RD?; Was 1 Ball (or Bln) Squadron a balloon squadron operative in England?; Would he have been a Batman in the RAF to a commander or a pilot? There is a family story that he was given the rank of King's Corporal; what was it and is this likely?
    Is there another forum site on WW1 RAF?
    Regards
    Dennis Richards
    Cockatoo, Vic., Australia

  2. #2
    Famous for offering help & advice simmo1's Avatar
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    Default

    HI Dennis

    You could try here - https://www.greatwarforum.org/
    They do have an air-force section.
    RD- not sure but could mean Reserve Depot.

    regards

    Robert
    Remembering

    My Father 1819170 Lance Bombardier Robert Simpson 39/14 L.A.A. R.A.

  3. #3
    Super Moderator christanel's Avatar
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    Default

    Welcome to the British-Genealogy forums
    If you came to us from Forces War Records reading this will explain our connection.
    Regarding the term Kings Corporal reading this and other article/forums (found by using a search engine)seems to suggest that it was not an official term and all references I have read refer to the army not the RAF. One article referring to Australian forces is very specific that there was no such rank.
    Your relative would have been a member of the Royal Flying Air Corps which merged with the Royal Naval Air Service in 1918 to become the RAF. The National Archives has a research guide https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/h...rst-world-war/ for War Diaries WW1 which may help in finding where his squadrons were at specific times. The lower ranks don't usually get a mention, only the higher ranks. Have you tried the London Gazette to see if he is mentioned for an award?

    Christina
    Sometimes paranoia is just having all the facts.
    William Burroughs

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