Research
Researching the military side of Family History has become a popular pastime in recent years and there is a vast amount of archive material available online that will serve as a starting point for your research. The following notes outline some of those sources of information that are available to you on a self-help basis; some are free-to-use, and some on a purchase/subscription basis. Our detailed guide to research resources can be found by clicking here.
It is unlikely that a single source will provide all the answers to your research. Even the most authoritative sources sometimes contain errors of fact and/or spelling. It is recommended therefore that you cross-reference facts through a variety of available sources.
If you run into a brick wall or dead-end, the Association may be able to help put you back on the right track - further details are at the bottom of this page.
The primary sources of information to kick off your research will probably focus on air operations and personnel.
Air Operations
The AIR series of files in the National Archives are a wealth of information about RAF personnel and operations during the war. The website allows you to see what files are available – many of them digitally – and to buy specific files for a modest charge. The most useful AIR files are probably the AIR 27 series which provide an accurate record of operations conducted by each unit. The Association holds reference copies of these for 57 Squadron from 1931-1960 inclusive and for 630 Squadron from its formation in 1943 to its disbandment in 1945.
The Association holds a reference copy of two definitive records of World War II air operations:
The Bomber Command War Diaries: An Operational Reference Book 1939-1945 by Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt
Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War by W R Chorley
The Association website and its Annual Newsletters contain a range of articles and stories on air operations, which have been researched and written by veterans, friends or relatives of veterans, or research enthusiasts. You can access back copies of the Association Newsletter via the website by clicking here.
A detailed narrative history of 630 Squadron is available on a separate website here; and you can access a further website here which will eventually provide a similar detailed narrative history for 57 Squadron.
Personnel
The National Archives contains records of service prior to 1939. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is currently in the process of transferring circa 9.7 million Service records created since the beginning of World War II to The National Archives. The transfer is expected to complete in 2027. In the meantime, you can apply to the MOD for your own record of service or for the records of a deceased serviceperson. The process for obtaining service records from the MOD is clearly set out on the GOV.UK website and there is no fee, although you will need to provide the person’s full name, date of birth and Service number if known. The MOD has seen an increase in the number of applications received since 1 April 2023 and you may experience a delay in receiving a response.
Details concerning officer and aircrew career progression are recorded in The Gazette which also includes information about promotions, retirements, and the award of honours.
If you are beginning to research an individual who lost his or her life while on military service, the website of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission is an excellent place to start. For research into World War II losses, this is complemented by the extensive records held by the International Bomber Command Centre.
If your research involves personnel from Australia, Canada and/or New Zealand, these nations hold comprehensive digital records of their service.
The Imperial War Museum and RAF Museum can be a valuable source of further information, and also hold collections of audio-visual materials.
Summary
We are certain that you will discover many fascinating facts during your research using the resources outlined above. However, if you run into a brick wall or dead-end, there may be something else that we can suggest.
In addition to the research sources mentioned above, and those in our comprehensive guide here, the Association can draw on considerable 'corporate knowledge' about these two historic squadrons which is not necessarily publicly available - and, of course, we have considerable experience in conducting research ourselves.
After exhausting your leads, and if you would like some more help with your research, please do consider contacting us. You can use the form below or email our Information Officer at infoofficer@57-630sqnassoc.org. If emailing us, please be sure to include the Squadron and Name being researched in the Subject line of your message to help us track enquiries. Due to the volume of enquiries we receive, and complexities of some of them, replies may take a few weeks - but we will get back to you.