Tracing a WWII Perth RAF man (MIA): where to begin?

[Camilla]

Hello,

I'm not terribly clued-up about military records, but I would very much like to learn whatever I can about a cousin of my grandmother's who went missing in the early part of WWII. I just don't know where to begin. Wondered if anyone might be able to point me in the right direction?

The sketchy information we have: His name was Charles Gray, prob born shortly after 1914, and he was training as a pilot at Perth air base before the war began. Although he was really quite inexperienced, when war came he was one of the first to see active service as a pilot because frankly, a tiny bit of experience was better than none and everyone just had to muck in. So he flew off somewhere (my mother vaguely thinks perhaps towards France) and went missing, never to be heard from again. He was an only child, and apparently his mother never really recovered from losing him.

Although he is "only" a small side branch in my tree, I'd like to know what there is to know and record it. I have had a look at the Scotland's People records, but haven't found anything definite about him; it doesn't help that I do not know his exact date of birth (although I have his parents' marriage certificate, Glasgow 1914).

Any thoughts or suggestions would be much appreciated -- thanks for looking

Camilla

[LesleyB]

Hi Camilla

Although your chap's date of birth is a few years after our usual cut off date of 1909, as he died well before our cut off date on deaths (1959) I think we can help.

Firstly, if you wished to track down his birth you will need to go to the Scotlands People centre in Edinburgh to see the full entry, as it is after the cut off date for which you can see the full record online (1909). It would just be a case of working through the Charles Grays born year by year, probably in the Glasgow area, and you should eventually find one with the correct parents. Mothers maiden name which would have been a useful cross check in the index, does not appear until the late 1920s as far as I remember - can't remember exact year!

Have you checked the CWGC site? http://www.cwgc.org/
There are a few Charles Grays there, but not sure if the one you are looking for is listed.

As far as I remember, records for WW2 men are not widely available as there are people who served who are still alive - I think you may have to apply to see any records - see here:
http://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/research/do ... sonnel.pdf

Service after 1920:
The service records of personnel who served beyond 1920 are held
at RAF Cranwell, and are normally only released to next of kin, on
payment of a search fee. These include the records of members of
Commonwealth air forces (RAAF, RCAF, SAAF and RNZAF) who served
during the Second World War.
The Air Force List, published monthly 1918-1945, and less frequently
thereafter, gives the branch, rank and date of seniority of RAF offi cers.
Those issued between 1920 and 1938 also show the offi cer’s unit and
date of posting.

Best wishes
Lesley

[WilmaM]

Have you looked at the War Memorial sites?

The Scottish National War Memorial is at http://www.snwm.org
and the Commonwealth Graves Commission is here; http://www.cwgc.org

there's only 1 Air Force Charles Gray at SNWM - birth place Aberdeen, but according to CWGC he was married.

There's a few more on CWGC but they are all later on in WWII - after 1941.

Did you mean Perth in Scotland or Australia? though there are no Australian Air Force results.

Have a look yourself as you may recognise his parents' names, they are given for some casualties.

[apanderson]

There is only one Charles Gray, R.A.F. listed on the Scottish National War Memorial database: http://www.snwm.org

Surname GRAY
Firstname Charles William Gilbert
Service number 124868
Date of death 14/04/1943
Place of birth Aberdeen
SNWM roll ROYAL AIR FORCE and DOMINION AIR FORCES
Rank Fg Off
Theatre of death R.A.F.V.R. B.C.

And from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission:
http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_det ... ty=2452414

Name: GRAY, CHARLES WILLIAM GILBERT
Initials: C W G
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Flying Officer (Pilot)
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Unit Text: 429 (R.C.A.F.) Sqdn
Age: 26
Date of Death: 14/04/1943
Service No: 124868
Additional information: Son of Charles George and Ella Veronica Gray; husband of Jean Miller Gray, of Edinburgh. M.P.S.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 2.
Cemetery: EDINBURGH (WARRISTON) CREMATORIUM

Anne

[apanderson]

Great Minds Wilma?

Anne

[WilmaM]

The 3 of must have been scouring the War Graves site together

[Camilla]

Thanks so much for your replies. I may well make a trip to the Scotland's People centre soon, as I have other things I can do there, and hopefully that will help to establish his DOB. Will try contacting RAF Cranwell, too. And yes, I did mean Perth in Scotland -- sorry for not being clear.

It is a bit of a mystery, really, if there is only one Charles Gray looking likely according to your searches (I'm just about to have a look for myself as well) -- the one that you've suggested is unfortunately not our man, as his parents were named Archibald Gray and Catherine Duncan.

Will have a look at CWGC now -- thanks again.

Camilla

[Camilla]

Hmm, just been on CWGC and am frankly puzzled -- there is no sign of him. Although I have so little to go on, I'd be quite surprised if my mother had his actual name wrong, because she has always been quite sure of it (he was called Charles and known as "Chick", apparently). We have a lovely photo of him in uniform that my grandmother used to have on display; I just can't imagine that he was ever sufficiently forgotten for everyone to muddle up his name.

Part of me is wondering if the fact that he seems to have simply disappeared, rather than anyone actually being able to witness & confirm his death, would make a difference to the records that might be available -- does anyone know about this?

[WilmaM]

The National Archives may have information on missing air crew, but I think you'd need more information than we have at present - but bear it in mind for the future.

[Camilla]

Wilma, where would you suggest concentrating my efforts to get that extra information?

So far, I'm thinking this is my task list:

- visit SP Centre and confirm birth date, name
- contact RAF researchers to see whether they can help at all
- ask my mum to get the photo out in case the uniform tells us anything at all

and, er, that's it

I feel there ought to be other ways to look at this and that I'm being dim -- apologies if it seems like I am asking you to think for me, I don't mean to be silly about this. Just feeling a bit clueless.