RAF WW2 service records: how to find an airman or officer

RAF WW2 service records are being transferred from the Ministry of Defence to The National Archives. Search the Discovery catalogue first: series AIR 85 for airmen, AIR 84 for officers, by surname and year of birth. If his record is not catalogued yet, or is closed, use The National Archives’ Request a military service record service. Then read his squadron’s records, which are online.

Two sources, two jobs. The service record says where he went. The Operations Record Book says what happened there.

Where are RAF WW2 service records now?

Mostly at Kew, or on their way. The National Archives says records of airmen who served after 1939 and finished before 1963 have been transferred from the MOD and are being catalogued. The same applies to officers who served after 1939 and left before 1963.

Pre-war airmen are different. AIR 79, on Findmypast (charges apply), covers airmen with service numbers 1 to 562875. Some files carry WW2 information.

What does GOV.UK say?

GOV.UK still lists the MOD for RAF officers who served from 1920 onwards, and for non-officers born after 31 December 1939. The National Archives’ catalogue is moving faster than that page. Our advice: search AIR 84 and AIR 85 first. If he is not there and was born before 1940, request through The National Archives. If he was born in 1940 or later, apply to the MOD through GOV.UK.

How do you search AIR 85 and AIR 84?

1. Open Discovery’s advanced search.
2. Enter AIR 85 (airmen) or AIR 84 (officers) in the reference box.
3. Search by surname, then filter by year of birth.
4. Add the service number if you have it. For AIR 85, The National Archives says the number works for people born over 115 years ago.

The fee rules are per record. The National Archives notes that a man who served in the RAF and then the Army means two records and two fees.

The officer’s registered number

Many AIR 84 entries show a registered number instead of a service number. The National Archives explains the usual format: a letter, six digits, a slash, two digits. For example, A123456/40 (an illustration of the format, not a real man).

The last two digits are the year of commission. /40 means commissioned in 1940. Use it to search the Air Force Lists and find the service number.

What’s in an RAF WW2 airman’s record?

Less than you might hope. The National Archives says these records usually consist of a single form, Form 543.

• It may be stamped to mention a supplementary record, Form 3905. That form is not included.
• The RAF destroyed most medical records of non-commissioned ranks when it moved to computer files in the 1960s.

Expect postings, units, promotions and dates. Then go to the unit records. Our abbreviations glossary helps with the shorthand.

How to find what his squadron did

Operations Record Books

ORBs are the RAF’s daily unit records. The National Archives calls them likely to be the most revealing documents available for squadrons. They come in two main parts:

• Form 540: summary of events.
• Form 541: detail of work carried out.

Appendices may include orders, reports and signals. ORBs sometimes hold nominal rolls, lists of officers, and promotions, transfers or awards.

Search by squadron number without ordinals: “57 Squadron”, not “57th”. The National Archives gives AIR 27/1471 as an example: 242 Squadron, led by Douglas Bader, September 1940.

Are they online?

Yes, for the Second World War. The National Archives says WW2 squadron ORBs and combat reports can be searched by squadron number and downloaded from its website.

Combat reports and crashes

• Combat reports (AIR 50): Second World War combat reports, downloadable.
• Squadron ORBs (AIR 27) note losses on operations, sometimes only as “failed to return”.
• Station ORBs (AIR 28) include crashes recorded by RAF stations.
• Missing personnel (AIR 81): casualty files, searchable by surname, place, date or aircraft type. The National Archives notes the series is still growing and currently runs to June 1943.

Officers: extra sources

• Air Force List: commissions and promotions, at Kew and specialist libraries.
• Confidential Air Force List, April 1939 to 1945, in AIR 10/3814 to 3840. Often more detail on duties.
• The London Gazette: commissions, promotions and gallantry awards. See our gallantry awards guide.

Medals, POWs and courts martial

• Medals. The National Archives says that after 1 April 1918, the only place you will find an RAF man’s medal entitlement is his service record. See how to identify WW2 medals.
• Prisoners of war. AIR 20/2336 is a list of aircrew known to have been held by Germany. Escape reports are in AIR 40. See how to trace a WW2 prisoner of war.
• Courts martial. AIR 18 holds proceedings from 1941 to 1986, searchable by surname. AIR 21 holds courts martial records from 1918 to 1965.

One rare roll

AIR 14/2091 is a Roll of Honour for No 5 Group, Bomber Command. The National Archives says it is the only known Second World War nominal roll for the RAF in its collection. If he flew with 5 Group, check it.

Next steps

Search AIR 85 or AIR 84 tonight. No number? See how to find a WW2 service number. Served in the Army as well? See WW2 Army service records.

FAQ: RAF WW2 service records

Where are RAF WW2 service records kept?

They are being transferred from the MOD to The National Archives. Airmen who served after 1939 and left before 1963 are going into AIR 85, and officers into AIR 84. Search Discovery first.

What does an RAF WW2 airman's service record contain?

Usually one form, Form 543. It may be stamped to mention a supplementary Form 3905, which is not included. The National Archives says the RAF destroyed most medical records of non-commissioned ranks in the 1960s.

What is an RAF officer's registered number?

Many AIR 84 entries show a registered number, usually a letter, six digits, a slash and two digits, such as A123456/40. The last two digits give the year of commission.

How do I find out what my grandfather did in the RAF?

Get his service record to find his squadron, then read the squadron's Operations Record Book in AIR 27. Combat reports in AIR 50 and casualty files in AIR 81 can add detail.

Are RAF Operations Record Books online?

Yes, for the Second World War. The National Archives says WW2 squadron ORBs and combat reports can be searched by squadron number and downloaded from its website.

Where are files on missing RAF aircrew?

In AIR 81 at The National Archives: Air Ministry enquiries into casualties during air operations and aircraft accidents, 1939 to 1945. Search Discovery by surname, place or aircraft type.

Sources

Checked 31 October 2026.

1. The National Archives: Royal Air Force personnel
2. The National Archives: Royal Air Force operations
3. The National Archives: Request a military service record
4. The National Archives: MOD service personnel records fees, FAQs
5. GOV.UK: Apply for the records of a deceased serviceperson
6. The National Archives: British prisoners of the Second World War and the Korean War