After my Dad passed away last year I have her looking through my Granddad's RAF paperwork (he passed away in '87 and I didn't know Dad had them). There's not much of it and neither he nor my Dad spoke about his time in the Service.Can anyone help me ? I Know he was in the West African Forces and that he was at RAF Takoradi around 21/11/44 - I have the front of an envelope addressed to him sent from home with that date on postmark. He was in bungalow 39, if that helps. As far as I can tell he was quite high up aero-engineer, and he enjoyed what he did. His name was William James Taylor LAC 1191400. Any help would be lovely. Thank you, Rhubarb
Hello rhubarb, Im not sure this Militarian site is the best site for what you want. I joined for the same reasons as yourself, but had no luck. I found this for you, although you may already have this site. http://www.rafcommands.com/forum/showthread.php?7743-WW2-RAF-Takoradi-West-Africa From this link you can get the Sqd. number then google using that. I started my search 2 weeks ago and I've discovered a lot. Don't hesitate to give me a shout if you require some help. David.
Hello David, Thank you for your help. I went to the link you gave me and tried to register but after filling in the form etc. I was informed that I was not allowed to because I had got the "random question" answer wrong (which I know I hadn't) and that yahoo emails are banned from registration, therefore I would have to change my email address to continue ! Very bizarre... By the way, I didn't know about the Rhubarb name being RAF slang. it's the childhood nickname that my Dad gave me. Perhaps he was trying to tell me something even then ? Any further ideas greatly appreciated. Rhubarb
Perhapy your nick name of Rhubarb was his secret joke (laughing). Who knows! Yes I can likely find other Avenues of research for you...I'll be back in touch within 24 hours.
As I said previously I haven't been researching long, only about 3 weeks. Try this site that I just found, its quite complicated but I thi k it may have some answers for you and me. But it'll require patience, I only found this site yesterday. David. http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/
As I said previously I haven't been researching long, only about 3 weeks. Try this site that I just found, its quite complicated but I thi k it may have some answers for you and me. But it'll require patience, I only found this site yesterday. David. http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/
I think you are too new to comment in that way. Prior to register, you should have had to Check out its inside stuffs!!! You just show us where This good site Demanded as per Your Expectation ??
You're right Diptangshu, but I seam to be the only one who's prepared to help Rhubarb. Can you give any advise to Rhubarb?
Thanks again David. I have had a look and I see what you mean, it took me a while to get my head around it. It did give me a couple of things but after trying to follow them on I still couldn't get anywhere. Am beginning to think my Granddad just does not want his history to be discovered. I know you said I'd need patience... I guess I am just frustrated with myself for not being able to have had these kind of talks with my Dad or Granddad before it was too late. I hope your research is going better, and sorry if it's me that got you in the bit of bother earlier. By the way, you're probably right about the Rhubarb thing, my Dad had a very odd sense of humour. Rhubarb
Rhubarb I think it better if we didn't speculate too much on your fathers sense of humour (smiling).....A target of opportunity. ...Hmmm! Yes they don't seem too welcoming here. Another avenue is to look for a Sqd. Page on facebook, many old and defunct Sqd's have their own f/b page. I actually gained much info from the Sqd. Fb page of the young man I'm researching.
Facebook ? D'oh ! Never even thought of trying that. I don't go on there much now as I get fed up with silly games getting sent round (apologies if you like them). Am away for a couple of days so will have a go when I get back - tech' free zone as staring at this screen and going round and round is giving me a headache the size of Wales (apologies if you're Welsh). As for my Dad's sense of humor, he had a dry wit at times and at others completely loopy. Then usually everything in between... Keep a stiff upper lip, old chap. Hope you get on ok with your research. Will let you know how I get on when I get back, if you want ? Rhubarb
Hey Rhubarb, me a fan of games, not at all. No Welshman here, nothing against them; I'm an English man living in Canada. Yes please let me know how you get on. Jolly good show...lol David
Hello David, sorry for delay in my reply, it's been a bit hectic here since I got back from the land of Language Without Vowels... I have been on Facebook but I only found 6 squadrons represented there. None of them seemed to have anything to do with Takoradi (that I could spot easily). I tried every combination of words that I could but to no avail. I did come across lots of thing about "the Takoradi Route" - it was used as a staging post for aircraft that would eventually cross the med hence avoiding the North Atlantic. Nothing about ground crews or Maintenance Units etc. I'm guessing now that he was in the latter. Just as I think I'm getting somewhere it turns into a dead end, or completely wrong. Aaaaaaaaaagggghhh ! Sorry about that. How's your research going ? Rhubarb
I hope you enjoyed your visit to the land of the language with no vowels......I didn't think there was such a land. As for your research, yes it can come to a brick wall sometimes temporary sometimes permanent. I too am at a brick wall at this stage, but I'm hoping for something of a breakthrough soon. I'd like to tell you about where I'm at, but I'd rather do that by email rather than on here, so if you'd like to hear the full story of my research I'd love to hear from you at sdavewill@aol.com Another avenue of research is to look for books that have been written on your subject ie Takoradi Route, then look at the bibliography of the book for additional research. I look forward to hearing from you.
Cymru. Ah, that's got a vowel. Ah well, only one of few. Yes it was a lovely trip, thank you. Beautiful scenery, amazing coastlines and (where I went to) a rather nice fish and chip shop... Sorry to hear you are stuck too, it would be very interesting to hear your story so far. Thank you for sending me your email address, it's very trusting - I might be a complete nutter. Oh, hang on, I am... Will be in touch soon. Be good out there. Rhubarb
