Need help with three R.A.F. Unit Abbreviations?

[wwrsimon]

I've got three unit abbreviations I've come across in relation to casualties, if anyone can help:

30 M. Party - casualty is buried in India, died February 1945 (Maintenance Party?)
N.U.K. - casualty commemorated on the Singapore Memorial, died March 1942. May U.K. just mean Unknown...?
H.Q. A.U. - casualty buried in Hanover War Cemetery, died September 1945

Many thanks.

Regards

Simon

[Observer1940]

Party

A detachment of individuals employed on any kind of duty or special service. For the artillery: certain key officers and men who usually accompany the commander on the march and assist him in reconnaissance, in issuing his initial orders, in initiating the movement forward to position, and in the occupation and organization of the position.

M could just be sub-division of 30 Party?

Regarding information about a casualty, the Air Ministry sometimes used "N.K." or "N/K" for Not Known.

Mark

[wwrsimon]

Thanks for the reply Mark.

Your suggestion about the M Party makes sense, but I'm still tending to think the the M was an initial for something. Maintenance? Movement?

The others are still a mystery - A.U. could be Allied or Air something?

Regards

Simon

[Larry]

I thought AU was Ambulance Unit

[wwrsimon]

Thanks for the suggestion Larry - interesting!

My H.Q. A.U. casualty was a Leading Aircraftwoman and was Mentioned in Despatches, which may or may not be compatible with an Ambulance Unit.

Regards

Simon

[Col Bruggy]

Simon,

Can't help with the unit abbreviation, but here is the London Gazette entry for the (New Year's Honours List) MiD:

http:www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/36329/pages/310

If you care to give me the name of the service person on the Singapore Memorial, l might be able to help on that one.

Col.

[wwrsimon]

Thanks Col

She's on there - 438104 B Freestone (LACW Brenda Freestone).

My Singapore Memorial casualty is LAC George William GRIFFITHS, 1110896, lost on March 6th 1942, aged 29. The RAF Deaths Overseas list gives his unit as "NUK".

Regards

Simon

[Col Bruggy]

Simon,

Checked my Far East RAF Missing lists, Griffiths does not appear on them.

Col.

[wwrsimon]

Thanks for looking Col, much appreciated.

Regards

Simon