Service Records/ Discharge Papers

[Skeleton]

Hi

Ive managed to lose some of my service records / discharge papers. I understand I can get some copies under a DPA/SAR request but that will take 40 days that I have not got!

Anyone know of a faster way??

Cheers

[El_Presidente]

If you find out let me know!! Ever since the move from Innsworth, I've found getting any previous Service documentation from the RAF is like pulling blood from a stone...!!

[BATCO]

Whilst the DPA allows the RAF to take up to 40 days to fulfil a SAR, it also says that if they can get the info to you quicker then they should.

So, frame your SAR well and encourage the RAF to communicate with you.

Good luck
Batco

[orgASMic]

Ministry of Defence | About Defence | What we do | Personnel | SPVA (http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/AboutDefence/WhatWeDo/Personnel/SPVA/)

Services Personnel and Veterans Agency should be able to sort you out in fewer than 40 days.

[Skeleton]

I think its down to the wording and "persuading" them that it needs to be done quicker.

Will post what happens

Cheers Guys

[sharpend]

I have just had a reply to my letter (+ cheque) requesting the service records of my Uncle Derek Minden Sharp who died in combat in 1943:

It was a bombers moon on the night of the 25th of June 1943. Clear skies and light winds made perfect flying conditions for Lancaster R5740 of No 44 Squadron airborne from sleepy RAF Denholme Lodge in Lincolnshire. Its target was the synthetic petrol plant at Gelsenkirchen in the heavy industrial area of the Ruhr, known affectionately to crews as ‘Happy Valley’. Its captain was a Pilot Officer Derek Sharp. Tragically, this was to be their last sortie. Thirty aircraft failed to return from that raid and R5740, together with all its crew, vanished without trace

The reply I eventually got back from HQ Air Command was 'Sorry you will have to wait up to 20 weeks for the service record. ps we will cash your cheque within 4 weeks.' Apparently they have time to cash the cheque but not supply what I paid for. I wonder how legal is that?

[November4]

Sharpend

In case you haven't seen it but Chorley in Bomber Command losses says

25 Jun 1943
44 Sqn Lancaster MkI R5740 KM+O. Took off at 2251 from Dunholme Lodge. Lost without trace and are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial

Fg Off DM Sharp
Fg Off D MacLean Struthers
FS T Johnstone
Sgt RJ Dash
Sgt HW Thompson
Sgt NH Morris
Sgt ERH Griffiths
Sgt KW Langstaff

Commonwealth War Graves Commission records 145476 Plt Off DM Sharp (http://www.cwgc.org/search-for-war-dead/casualty/1806937/SHARP,%20DEREK%20MINDEN) on panel 133 of the Memorial

http://www.pro-patria.co.uk/Sharp.jpg

[sharpend]

Yes, I have seen all that, but thanks anyway. I'm writing a book at present about my uncle who had a few amazing escapes, so would like a bit more on him. :)

[RStanding]

November4


I have only just found this thread.


I see that Sharpend is related to one of the crew, are you related or do you know any relations to those who were on this Lancaster and lost?


My Uncle KW Langstaff was the rear Gunner




Sharpend

In case you haven't seen it but Chorley in Bomber Command losses says



Commonwealth War Graves Commission records 145476 Plt Off DM Sharp (http://www.cwgc.org/search-for-war-dead/casualty/1806937/SHARP,%20DEREK%20MINDEN) on panel 133 of the Memorial

http://www.pro-patria.co.uk/Sharp.jpg

[November4]

RStanding

Sorry I'm not related nor know of any relatives.

Just noted the date of the aircraft loss....eaxactly 21 years later, I made my entry into the world.

[Wander00]

See thread Lancaster Mk1 R5740 25th-26th June 1943, Dunholme Lodge . Looks like a search for the same info

[Pontius Navigator]

Deviation but AHB provided me with details and photo copies from Humphrey Wynn's book for free, pre-FOI. The Marine and Coastguard Agency supplied some 20 years of my father's records and added a precis summary lest I could not understand them - free - and also pre-FOI.

On the other hand the RN contracted out to some company in Sheffield I think.