Service and ex-service periodicals and newspapers can provide background information and may mention individuals

Information on the history of the RAF and squadrons

Other helpful sources

  • IWM's Lives of the First World War - a digital initiative to create the permanent digital memorial to those who served in uniform and worked on the home front
  • Air Force Records: a Guide for Family Historians by William Spencer (Richmond, Surrey: The National Archives, 2008). RFC/RAF material now held by The National Archives
  • Tracing Your Air Force Ancestors by Phil Tomaselli (Barnsley, South Yorkshire: Pen and Sword, 2007)
  • The National Archive's 'Help with your research' guides cover a range of topics, explain how to find and use their records and signpost to other sources
Other things to look for:

Download our guide to tracing your Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force ancestry