Ops Record Books for OTUs and HCUs and some general queries.

Ian Ward · Sep 27, 2020

Andy, I appear to have his tunic, dated 1945

Ian Ward · Sep 27, 2020

KensSon said: ↑

I'm trying to piece together my father's war with the RAF in WW2, and in particular the sorties he took part in. His name was Kenneth Ross Pay DFC and he was a rear gunner with Bomber (and Coastal) Command.

Some relevant dates from his service history:

5 May 1942: 24 OTU
9 Jul 1942: 1652 (presumably HCU)
26 Aug 1942: RCAF 405 Squadron
20/21 Sep 1942 Commission - Pilot Officer
17 Dec 1942: 10 Squadron
21 Mar 1943: Flying Officer
15 Sep 1943: 1652
6 Jul 1944: 41 Base No 4 Group
21 Sep 1944: Flight Lieutenant

I have, or am in the process of obtaining, ops records books for his time with 405 and 10 Squadrons. I've traced him on ops with 405 Squadron from Sep to Nov 1942. I can't trace what was happening between his posting to 10 Squadron in Dec 1942 and his first mission with them on 3 Apr 1943. He doesn't appear in the ops records during this period. What was the standard procedure? I have records of his ops with 10 Squadron from Apr to Aug 1943.

In addition, I have a feeling he may have taken part in operational sorties with 24 OTU and/or 1652 HCU. Can anyone kindly help with some general information about the likelihood of this and, in particular, how to obtain the ops record books? The search facility on the National Archives website requires squadron number and will not accept OTU or HCU numbers.

Many thanks

Andy Pay
Click to expand...

Andy, I appear to have his tunic dated 1945

A Boyle · Nov 16, 2020

KensSon said: ↑

I'm trying to piece together my father's war with the RAF in WW2, and in particular the sorties he took part in. His name was Kenneth Ross Pay DFC and he was a rear gunner with Bomber (and Coastal) Command.

Some relevant dates from his service history:

5 May 1942: 24 OTU
9 Jul 1942: 1652 (presumably HCU)
26 Aug 1942: RCAF 405 Squadron
20/21 Sep 1942 Commission - Pilot Officer
17 Dec 1942: 10 Squadron
21 Mar 1943: Flying Officer
15 Sep 1943: 1652
6 Jul 1944: 41 Base No 4 Group
21 Sep 1944: Flight Lieutenant

I have, or am in the process of obtaining, ops records books for his time with 405 and 10 Squadrons. I've traced him on ops with 405 Squadron from Sep to Nov 1942. I can't trace what was happening between his posting to 10 Squadron in Dec 1942 and his first mission with them on 3 Apr 1943. He doesn't appear in the ops records during this period. What was the standard procedure? I have records of his ops with 10 Squadron from Apr to Aug 1943.

In addition, I have a feeling he may have taken part in operational sorties with 24 OTU and/or 1652 HCU. Can anyone kindly help with some general information about the likelihood of this and, in particular, how to obtain the ops record books? The search facility on the National Archives website requires squadron number and will not accept OTU or HCU numbers.

Many thanks

Andy Pay
Click to expand...

Hi Andy,
I have owned your father's DFC for the last 40 years. I am happy for you to contact me.
I found this forum whilst researching him myself.
Kind regards,

Andrew

KensSon · Nov 17, 2020

Hi Andrew
Wow!!! That's a bolt out of the blue. I've messaged you.
Best wishes
Andy

KensSon · Nov 17, 2020

Ian Ward said: ↑

Andy, I appear to have his tunic, dated 1945
Click to expand...

Hi Ian, I'm sorry that I missed your message. This is a fantastic piece of news! Thanks so much for letting me know. I've PM'd you.

Best wishes

Andy

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Ops Record Books for OTUs and HCUs and some general queries.

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Ops Record Books for OTUs and HCUs and some general queries.

Ian Ward New Member

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