Hi Apologies if this is the incorrect Forum. My first posting here. I am researching my Uncles RAFVR career, during WW2. He became a Lancaster pilot after training in South Africa. I understand he travelled to Durban in 1942 as part of the WS16 convoy. Whilst I have found information about this outbound convoy, I wonder if it is possible at all to find out which vessel he travelled on. I am also struggling to find any dates etc. of convoys that came back to the UK. He returned in 1943 to complete his pilot training. Thanks in advance. Neil Grantham
Do you have his service records and unit war diaries? In tracing my grandfather's journey on WS15 his service record showed which regiment he served with, the regimental diaries mentioned the troopship they embarked on, and from that it was possible to trace the convoy that the ship joined. Another site you might find useful: WS (Winston Specials) Convoys in WW2 - 1942 Sailings Archie Munro's book The Winston Specials: Troopships via the Cape 1940-1943 is a very thorough study. For a flavour of life aboard during the convoys search for sketches in the 'Convoy Series' by Anthony Gross, a war artist travelling on MV Highland Monarch in WS14.
Thanks for both replies, here is what I know: So, I managed to get hold of my Uncles Service record from the RAF, and on a Forum, someone helped me with all the acronyms of what OTU/AS/PRC etc. meant, and with his help have managed to piece together a large part of his training from the record. I think it's safe to say trainees would have gone on the convoys and not flown to South Africa? So date wise, the record shows: 15 RC 28th January 1942 (Recruits Centre, Blackpool) - we presume awaiting his passage. S. Africa 12th February 1942 - from this we deduced he would have been on WS16 that departed on 16th February The next date is 21st March 1942 at 75 Air School (Lyttleton, Pretoria) Subsequent Air Schools are 2 AS 23rd May 1942 24 AS 5th September 1942 The next entry is 7 PRC (Personnel Reception Centre, Harrogate) 11th May 1943 However, slotted in between 24 AS and 7 PRC is what looks like HE 16th April 1943 This could possible be his homeward journey from South Africa - looking at a website of WW2 record abbreviations suggests HE could be Home Embarkation
Welcome Neil. The SAAF Operational Record Books are available to download for free from TNA. These are big, but sadly, unsearchable pdf files containing a great deal of detail - you may find details of your uncle with perseverance and patience. Good luck.
