Military Chat

Frederick James Heather was in the fleet air arms during WW1. Anyone know more about the fleet air arms, and about Frederick ?? (I think he was a Petty officer.)

The fleet air arms was not formed until 1924 originaly formed in 1912 as the Royal Flying Corps and merged in 1918 becoming a unit of the Royal Air Force

Roy

Possible medal card but not Royal Flying Corps


WO 372/9/124323
Description:
Medal card of Heather, F J
Corps Regiment No Rank
Royal Defence Corps Captain
Date: 1914-1920
Held by: The National Archives, Kew

formed in 1917 as part of the home home service from men either too old or unfit for frontline duties

Their are 2 others possibles but they are not officers

WO 372/9/124324
Description:
Medal card of Heather, Frederick J
CorpsRegiment No Rank
Royal Field Artillery 132114 Driver
Labour Corps 587432 Driver
Date: 1914-1920
Held by: The National Archives, Kew

And

WO 372/9/124328
Description:
Medal card of Heather, Frederick J
Corps Regiment No Rank
Royal Garrison Artillery 130873 Gunner
Date: 1914-1920
Held by: The National Archives, Kew

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/medal-index-cards-ww1.htm

also several Frederick Heather's listed with no middle name

Roy

There's a F J Heather in the 1918 RAF Muster Roll on FindMyPast but will probably only give his rank and number.

There's also a record at the National Archives for a Frederick James Heather of the RAF. Not available online, though - you'd have to go there or get someone to go for you.

Is this your Frederick ?


Reference:
ADM 188/577/8852
Description:
Name Heather, Frederick James
Official Number: F8852
Place of Birth: Poplar, London
Date of Birth: 07 August 1878
Date: [1915]
Held by: The National Archives, Kew

http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/details/D6807033?descriptiontype=Full&ref=ADM+188/577/352

Roy

I know Frederick was a chief engineer in the fleet air arms, then became a Petty Officer. :-D

Yes, that is him born: 07 August 1878. :-) His number was: F8852, born in Poplar. Before in went into this, he was a special policeman, I have a photo of him wearing his uniform.

As I said before, The fleet air arms was not formed until 1924,

The Fleet Air Arm is the air force of the Royal Navy.

The Fleet Air Arm was formed on 1 April 1924 from the Royal Air Force squadrons operating at sea.

The Royal Naval Air Service was the original air force of the Royal Navy. In April 1918 it merged with the Royal Flying Corps to become the Royal Air Force.

From http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/looking-for-person/fleetairarm.htm

Did he continue to serve after the war? that could explain the confusion


Use the links to research but I think you will need to visit the National Archives in order to find/see his service record

Also use the link I posted above 15:54 for ADM 188/577/8852

You could also try to find out how to obtain the service record of a Fleet Air Arm officer or rating. at http://www.veterans-uk.info/

Roy

Forgot to say, You can download the record ADM 188/577/8852 that I posted 15:54 it is 2 pages and cost £3.36

Use the link I provided

Roy

Ok thanks Porkie_Pie. :-D

The FMP transcript for F. J. Heather mentioned previously, just gave his number.

Royal Air Force Muster Roll 1918

Heather F J 208852


However the image of the record gave the following information:

Air Force No: 208,852

Name: Heather, F J.

RNAS or RFC Trade Classification: Rigg Aship..

Remustered to Air Force Trade Classification: Rigg. Aship.

RNAS rating or R F C Trade Rank or Appointment: P.O.

New Rank in Air Force: Sergt. Mech.

Date of joining: 1/8/17

Normal rate Air Force pay: £6.0d

Terms of enlistment: D. W.

EDIT: Before you ask ...

D. W. = Duration of War.

From the record Kucinta posted above,

RNAS (Royal Naval Air Service) RFC (Royal Flying Corps) which indicates as I said earlier in my post 10 Sep 2013 17:47 "Did he continue to serve after the war? that could explain the confusion" about him serving in the Fleet Air Arm in WW1?


The "F" in his service number is probably? inherited when he was commissioned so his number became F8852

Roy