wireless operator, 1944-45

[mjte43]

My Father-in-law (Deceased) was a wireless operator in the later part of the war. Lancasters, and somewhere in Norfolk. I am having a lot of trouble finding any information about his service, and looking for some direction in the search. Please help with anything constructive. thanks in advance, Mjte43

[airborne_artist]

Have you read this page? Your wife should be able to request a copy of her father's records.

service records raf (http://www.veterans-uk.info/service_records/raf.html)

Good luck.

[CoffmanStarter]

mjte43 ...

I hope you are able to trace your Father-in-law's WW11 Service Records. Thought this pic might be of interest to you ... a typical Wireless Operators station of the period. The primary Tools-of-Trade were the Marconi 1154 Transmitter (top) and the 1155 Receiver (bottom) ... you can also just see the Type J Aerial Switch to the left. Approx. 50 Watts output CW (morse) but a mere 15 Watts in RT (voice) Mode ... all with manual tuning !

http://i1004.photobucket.com/albums/af162/CoffmanStarter/IMG_0097.jpg

Very brave men everyone of them ...

Best regards ...

Coff.

[timex]

Well worth a read, all about a single crews experiences..


Fire By Night: The Dramatic Story of One Pathfinder Crew and Black Thursday, 16 December 1943

[Chugalug2]

Douglas Radcliffe MBE, BCA Secretary, reminisces his WWII experiences as a WO/AG are here:-
The wireless operator, Douglas Radcliffe MBE - Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/rafbombercommand/3254659/The-wireless-operator-Douglas-Radcliffe-MBE.html)
As always it is the side comment that fascinates, for instance that the rank of sergeant came with being an Air Gunner, not a Wireless Operator! It seems that the worst that he recalls is being castigated by his mother when he went home on leave sporting his new brevet. He had told her that he had joined the RAF as a cook! Poignant also that even now he is discovering that others that he had lost contact with never survived the war as he had thought but had died in 1943 or 44.

[Pontius Navigator]

Look here:

AIR GUNNERS' ASSOCIATION - LONDON (http://www.spiraldive.co.uk/airgunners.htm)

I met an AG at Runnymede a couple of years ago. The old boy had a badge on his car. I went across to read the badge then went back to our coffee.

He got out of his car and came across as he knew I knew what it meant. He brought a small photobook with various photos, in colour, from his reunions etc.

As mentioned above, the trade was a dual trade wop/ag, not all gunners could do morse but all wop could shoot.

[Whopity]

Almost exactly the same equipment as fitted to the Varsities and RAF Marine craft, the T1154 and the R1155. In the early 60s these were available surplus in Lisle Street for 19/6 and £9-19-6 respectively. Like most equipment of that time they were manufactured by a number of companies including Marconi, Ekco, Plessey, Philips, and the Gramophone Co. (EMI).

[Mr-Burns]

mjte43,

If you can find out which squadron he served with you will get lots of information. My father was a WOP/AG on Lancasters / Halifax and Wellington right through the war. He was on 44 Sqn for some time and is now a member of the 44 Sqn Association. I have got a lot of info from them on his service / sorties etc. Good Luck.

Mr Burns

[mjte43]

Thanks to all of you that took the time to point me in the right direction. I will try to keep you advised of my progress. All the best, Mjte43