Checking Service number
 

Is there anywhere I can check a service number back to a name?

The problem is that a man I'm researching seems to have 2 service numbers, one given by the man concerned and the other is in the LG with his award of the DFC. The son says that the man concerned is adamant he only ever had one.

Re: Checking Service number
 

Hi,

most officers had two numbers during their service career.

The first number was given prior to commission and was associated with their enlisted status. On commission another service number was issued.

i.e.

Terence Helfer pre commission - 1186112.
After commission on 7th July 1942 - 127041

This was the same for the RCAF with R/XXXX being replaced by J/YYYYY

Another cause for admin change of service number was transfer between RAF/RAFVR/AAF but this was usually pre/post war.

Regards
Ross

Re: Checking Service number
 

During WW2 the average pilot had a serial number as an aviation cadet such as 16078165 and when commissioned, another one e.g. A0-808668. Since this individual had a DFC, I presume he was a pilot. I do not know if officers went through aviation cadet training as an officer in WW2 but in later years they did. In that case, if the individual came into the service as an officer, he probably had just the one serial number in the days immediately following WW2. If he stayed longer, it is most likely he had other serial numbers. I had 4 different serial numbers.
Cordially, Art Fiedler