CoodaShooda
6th Jul 2015, 00:19
A friend of mine recently commented that he has been trying for many years to track down details of his father's service in WW1, with only limited success.
So I wondered whether the collective knowledge of PPRuNe might be able to help out.
His father emigrated to NZ after the war and never spoke of his experiences to his family. It was only after he passed away that they found photos of him in flying gear and an RNAS uniform and realized that here was a story they wanted to know.
What they have been able to piece together is that Vernon Cecil Redvers (George) Clements (b 1899) enlisted in the RNAS as Steward - Officer Standard 3 on 29 October 1917 at RNAS 'President II' Crystal Palace. Service No F40945.
He was subsequently transferred to 'President II' Tregantie, an aircraft storage depot and Aircraft Mechanic school in Cornwall.
On 1 December 1917, he was transferred to 'President II' Yarmouth.
On 1 April 1918, the record shows him transferring to the RAF as a Private 2 (pay scale 1 shilling & 6 pence) trained as an Observer/Rear Gunner on Aircraft and awarded the British War Medal. His Service number is given as
204945, however, this is thought to be incorrect. (I'm wondering whether 240945 might not be more accurate?)
They have been unsuccessful in obtaining any information about his RAF service.
They also have a photo of him wearing three medals but, other than the BWM, have been unable to identify them.
If anyone can suggest any contacts or websites they might search, particularly to flesh out his RAF service, it will be greatly appreciated.
So I wondered whether the collective knowledge of PPRuNe might be able to help out.
His father emigrated to NZ after the war and never spoke of his experiences to his family. It was only after he passed away that they found photos of him in flying gear and an RNAS uniform and realized that here was a story they wanted to know.
What they have been able to piece together is that Vernon Cecil Redvers (George) Clements (b 1899) enlisted in the RNAS as Steward - Officer Standard 3 on 29 October 1917 at RNAS 'President II' Crystal Palace. Service No F40945.
He was subsequently transferred to 'President II' Tregantie, an aircraft storage depot and Aircraft Mechanic school in Cornwall.
On 1 December 1917, he was transferred to 'President II' Yarmouth.
On 1 April 1918, the record shows him transferring to the RAF as a Private 2 (pay scale 1 shilling & 6 pence) trained as an Observer/Rear Gunner on Aircraft and awarded the British War Medal. His Service number is given as
204945, however, this is thought to be incorrect. (I'm wondering whether 240945 might not be more accurate?)
They have been unsuccessful in obtaining any information about his RAF service.
They also have a photo of him wearing three medals but, other than the BWM, have been unable to identify them.
If anyone can suggest any contacts or websites they might search, particularly to flesh out his RAF service, it will be greatly appreciated.