I am going to be very cheeky and ask you amazing people about my Dad. His name was John Francis Evans (T/Cpl). He was in R.A.F. India 67 Squadron. He survived the war but didn't discuss his experiences. Anything you could find would be fantastic. My 95year old Mum would love some detail. If you can't find anything then thank you for everything you have done. Marian
Marian, ref your father John Francis Evans, Best bet is to start a new thread in 'The War In the Air' here. We have many very knowledgeable members there, who would not necessarily see your post here.(Royal Artillery Java) Graham.
Thank you. So if I understand correctly a new area has been opened for my Dad. Do I have to do anything?
As your Mum is still alive she can get his records for free. My Mum sent off for my Dad's postwar RAF records. See this link. Get a copy of military service records
Sound advice which should give a good foundation to follow Marian's father's RAF service. I am assuming (T Cpl) meaning temporary Corporal but usually recorded as Acting Corporal. No 67 Squadron was a fighter squadron formed in Greece on 12 September 1916 from renumbering No 1 Squadron AFC.it served only 18 months of the Great War but most of the time was based in the Middle East.It disbanded in February 1918 and then reverted to No 1 Squadron AFC.(Australian Flying Corps)....forerunner of the RAAF. No 67 Squadron was then reformed at Kallang as a fighter squadron in March 1941 and served its time, until disbanded, in July 1945 in India.
Many thanks for the information and advice. I have been trying to find out what happened to my father when the Japanese invaded Burma. He was missing in action for some time having left his base in Rangoon. Information is very sketchy
Marian, No 67 Squadron was based close to Rangoon at Mingaladon where it arrived from Kallang,Singapore on 13 October 1941 with its Buffalo Mark 1 aircraft.After the start of the Japanese war,the squadron was posted up the River Sittang to Toungoo on 28 January 1942.Rangoon was bombed before Christmas 1941 and the bombing continued until the Japanese ground forces captured Rangoon in March 1942. The war situation in Burma at this time was in a state of flux with British forces under pressure from the Japanese invasion to withdraw north towards India.No 67 Squadron was withdrawn up to Akyab on the Burmese coast,south of the Indian border.At Ayab,No 67 Squadron ceased to exist on 27 March 1942 and was dispersed.From February 1942 the squadron had been equipped with the Hurricane Mark 2B which it would appear were lost or left behind at Akyab when the squadron left Burma for India. In June 1942 the squadron was re-established at Alipore,one of a number of airfields in the vicinity of Calcutta,re-equipped with the Hurricane Mark 11c. Then in February 1944, the squadron received the Spitfire V111 which remained in service until the squadron was disbanded in July 1945.After being posted to India in the Calcutta and Dacca areas,the squadron re-entered Burma at Maunghnama airfield,close to Akyab on the Burmese coast on 1 January 1945,disbanding at Akyab Main airfield in July 1945. From your information,your father appears to have been missing from the withdrawal from Mingaladon airfield (Rangoon) to when the squadron relocated to Toungoo airfield up the Sittang river. A link here to the bombing of Rangoon and the invasion of Burma.No 67 Squadron,it would appear was the only squadron tasked to defend the Rangoon with its inferior Buffalo aircraft. https://www.historylearningsite.co....41-to-1945/the-retreat-in-burma-1941-to-1942/
That is so informative. All we had of this period was a telegram received by my grandparents stating that my dad was ‘missing in action ‘. Then another letter saying that the MoD were pleased to say that my dad was safe. There was, of course, no detail. I am going to send for his records as advised. Many thanks Marian
Yes to all those: Name: John Francis Evans dob: 21 January 1914 Service number: 1027206 Unit: 67 Squadron RAF India
