How to find your relative’s service record

Searching for the service records of those who were involved in aviation during the First World War can be difficult because of the fact that until 1 April 1918 when the Royal Air Force was established, an airman would either have served in the Army with the Royal Flying Corps, or in the Navy, with the Royal Naval Air Service.
 
Generally, personnel records for those who served in the Royal Flying Corps,Royal Naval Air Service and Royal Air Force up to the mid 1920s are available to the public at:

The National Archives,
Ruskin Avenue,
Kew,
Richmond,
Surrey
TW9 4DU.

An excellent guide to the holdings of The National Archives can be found in Air Force Records for Family Historians by William Spencer (Richmond, Surrey: Public Record Office, 2000).  The National Archives also produces helpful information sheets available on their website at www.nationalarchives.gov.uk.
 
The records for other ranks who served in the Royal Air Force before 1920, or who had a service number lower than 329,000 (and who did not see any later service) can be found in record class AIR 79.  
 
Records of Royal Naval Air Service ratings, pre April 1918 can be found in record class ADM 188.  Some records may also be available at the Fleet Air Arm Museum at www.fleetairarm.com/. 
 
Many of the Royal Flying Corps service records dating from before April 1918 were lost in the 1940 bombing that destroyed so many records.  Records can be found in record classes WO 363 and 364. Take a look at the section on Naval Service Records for more information on how to find your relative's service record. If a record was destroyed you may be able to find alternative sources of service information.
 
Records for officers who ceased service before 1 April 1918 will be found under their branch of service.  Royal Flying Corps officer records can be located in classes WO 339 (with indexes in WO 338) and WO 374.  Royal Naval Air Service officer records can be found in class ADM 273 (the Fleet Air Arm Museum also holds copies of similar records, as well as some enlistment papers).
 
Records for RAF officers who ceased service between 1 April 1918 and the end of 1920 are located in class AIR 76.
 
If an individual had any service beyond the mid 1920s, or if he had a service number higher than 329,000, records will still be held at RAF Innsworth.  You will need to apply in writing.  A search fee of £25 is currently payable and you will need to prove that you are next of kin. The address to apply to is:

RAF Personnel Management Agency,
Disclosure of Information Office,
PMA (IM)1b,
RAF Innsworth,
Gloucester
GL3 1EZ.