Royal Air Force Records

The History

The Royal Air Force was formed in 1918.

Before then the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) was part of the Army and the Royal Naval Air  Squadron   (RNAS)  was part of the Navy.

What records can you find?

The National Archives is the major source of Royal Air Force Records.

Some RFC and RNAS records are with the RAF and some are with the Army and Navy respectively.

Most records requite a personal visit although many personnel records are now online .

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Service records dating back to 1920 are held by the Disclosure Unit at RAF Cranwell in Lincolnshire.

Searches are available for close relatives although they can be comparatively expensive.

There is no online facility.

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The Air Force List was published annually from 1918 listing Officers in the RAF.

This is available at the National Archives and at Museums and libraries.

It is not available for free search online.

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RAF Bomber command losses in the Second World War lists the fatalities with a free search facility

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The RAF Museum has two bases - Birmingham and London. There are many useful displays of RAF life although not a prime source for family history.

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The Imperial War Museum at Duxford again has useful displays although not a prime source for family historians.

The Imperial War Museum Collections does have an online search with some material of direct use to family historians plus a good deal of background information including photographs and sound clips.

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