I’d like to know more about my uncle’s wartime service
QDuring the Second World War, my great uncle, James Dollard Theriault, worked on the then secret RDF (radar) systems in England. He had enlisted with the RCAF in Canada, as a Leading Aircraftman. By 9 March 1942, he was in England with the RCAF, maintaining airborne radar for the RAF. Can you tell me more? Robert Campbell, by email
AThe ground crew who maintained RAF aircraft during the Second World War are the forgotten men of the service. They could be posted to all kinds of units, making their movements difficult to trace. This is especially true of men from the Dominions. Their records would be compiled at home, based on limited information supplied by the RAF. Also, the surviving records for RAF stations and units, the operations record books, focus mainly on operations.
Your great uncle probably received technical training at RAF Uxbridge. RAF Harwell was base for 15 Operational Training Unit throughout his period in Britain; it took novice bomber aircrew and did their final training before going into action. On occasion (such as the Thousand Bomber raids, including the first, on 30 May 1942) the best crews actually took part. There were advances in airborne radar at this time, in particular sets that could identify towns and rivers, making target identification easier. These required delicate work by radar specialists updating, repairing and calibrating them. Warrington had three personnel transit or despatch centres (essentially holding facilities) and it’s likely your great uncle passed through the RCAF despatch centre on his way home.
As you say, radio (and other technical) specialists were recruited from Canada and the US. The US was neutral and men were recruited into the Civilian Technical Corps and trained in Canada. They wore a uniform but were forbidden to fight. Because they were unusual there’s a lot more information on what they did available on the internet. From the Ground Up. A History of RAF Ground Crew by Fred J Atkin, published in 1983, provides good background. Phil Tomaselli