RAF Units in India

Discussion in 'The War In The Air' started by ranville, Dec 4, 2009.

  1. Mark666

    Mark666 New Member

    Hi Snailer,

    Thanks for that! I think your Worli is correct, possibly a spelling mistake in his service book.
    I would like to get hold of his service records but my mother is dragging her feet a bit with some information!

    Cheers

    Mark
     
  2. Cathy M

    Cathy M New Member

    If anyone is still interested in this topic, I have recently been looking at information related to my father who was at 322 Maintenance Unit in Kanpur 1944-45. I have an official photo of the Pratt and Whitney II team which I will upload if there is any interest in this.
     
    Tom sage and Jagan like this.
  3. Tom sage

    Tom sage Member

     
  4. Tom sage

    Tom sage Member

    Hi Cathy,
    I’d be really interested to see the photo.
    My great grandfather was in the unit, I’m trying my best to find out more about his time in Cawnpore.
    Thanks
    Tom
     
  5. Tom sage

    Tom sage Member

    Hi
    Cathy
    I’d be really interested to see the photo.
    Thanks Tom
     
  6. Cathy M

    Cathy M New Member

    Hi Tom,
    Attached is the photo. My father was Reg Hayward, fourth row, third in from the left. Out of interest, what was your grandfather's name?
    I don't have a lot of information about Cawnpore but have been trying to find out more. I have transcribed letters that my dad sent to my mum from there, which gave me some insight into the life there. I also have an album of photos that my dad took during his time there. Most are views around India but there are some of the other men in the unit - no labels unfortunately.
    Cathy
     

    Attached Files:

    ClovaDaryl likes this.
  7. Tom sage

    Tom sage Member

    Thanks Kathy,
    Really appreciate you getting back to me.
    The photo is brilliant got me really excited,I thought for a second my great grandfather would be in it as he was in that unit, then I seen the date Unfortunately he was shipped home Very Ill In the July 1945!
    His name was Joe sage.
    I’d love to see Any photos you have and no more of the day to day life In the unit? How did your dad find it out there?
    I bet it was very interesting reading his letters.
    I’ve been gathering information on Burma through a few sources, I also visited the raf museum in Cosford last week which was interesting.
    He also received a medal for valour whilst serving with the unit which I’m trying to find out what it was for.
    Look forward to hearing back from you,
    Thanks for taking the time and speaking to me.
    Regards
    Tom
     
  8. Tom sage

    Tom sage Member

  9. Tom sage

    Tom sage Member

    This is the medal he received
     
  10. Cathy M

    Cathy M New Member

    My father went out there in October 1944 so they would have been there at the same time.
    From the letters it seemed that the heat was a major problem for them so one of the favourite pastimes was swimming. Attached is a photo showing this. Football was also popular - see team photo. Although not in his letters, I also know there was a fire in one of the billets. See photos. My father was terrified of house fires after that. I would be interested if anyone knows any more about this.
     

    Attached Files:

  11. Tom sage

    Tom sage Member

    Amazing photos, there are a few of the guys who look slightly like my great grandfather in those photos.
    They would have definitely been there at the same time.
    If I come across any information I’ll update on here.
    Thanks for talking to me and sharing the photos.
     
  12. Michael Hardy

    Michael Hardy New Member

    My Dad was also at 322MU after he remustered as an Aircraft Fitter. Sounded like he enjoyed it there and travelled all over India from there. Prior to that he had been attached to 42 Squadron as a Flight Mechanic initially on Beauforts before they were replaced by Beauforts and then Hurribombers. I think my Dad earned his Burma Star during his service with the Squadron from their arrival in Bangalore until he left the squadron when they were in St Thomas Mount. Perhaps your father also had a role on one of those squadrons before going to 322MU. I have lots of photos from the squadrons stop over in Durban, to Colombo, to arrival in India to meet up with the aircraft at Yelahanka.
     
  13. Tom sage

    Tom sage Member

     
  14. Tom sage

    Tom sage Member

    Hi mike,
    My great grandfather was in the 322 maintenance unit from 43-45.
    I’d be interested in any photos you have of them or anymore information?
    My great grandfather was a warrant officer policeman for the unit.
    Thanks a lot
    Tom
     
  15. Michael Hardy

    Michael Hardy New Member

    I’ll dig out what I have an upload them on here eventually. He was at Cawnpour from December 1943 until the end of the war.
     
  16. Tom sage

    Tom sage Member

    That would be brilliant thanks!
    My great grandfather was also in Cawnpore then.
    He received a medal for valour which I’m still trying to find out what happened.
    if you look Back through the last few posts I made you will see It.
    Look forward to hearing back from you.
    Thanks
     
  17. Tom sage

    Tom sage Member

     
  18. Tom sage

    Tom sage Member

    Hi Cathy, I must thank you from all my family.
    It seems the photo you sent me of the football has my great grandfather in it, he is top row second from the right side.
    My dad spotted him instantly!
    Was brilliant to have a photo.
    So many thanks.
     
  19. Jagan

    Jagan Junior Member

    Seems to be the "Engine Repair Squadron" of 322 MU. Undertaking overhaul of PW1830 , PW2800 and Wright Cyclone Engines.
     
  20. jonheyworth

    jonheyworth Senior Member

    A frightening amount of airmen died in swimming accidents or in fires
     

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