The Royal Air Force in World War 2 for Family Historians
Richard Marks
- Region:
- South East
- Notice Period:
- Short (maybe less than one month's notice)
- Type:
- Professional
- Fee:
- Paid: £75 plus travel @45p per mile up to 50 miles from Reading. Can also be run online
- Category:
- History
- Updated:
- 10th January 2024
- Tagged:
- Family History | Royal Air Force | World War 2
This talk is designed for Family Historians who are researching their relatives who served in the RAF during World War 2.
What did Uncle Arnie and Aunt Harriet do in the RAF during World War Two? Why is Grandad sitting in an armoured car when he was in the RAF and why is Grandma working on a boat?
Find out more in this talk.
The RAF was a broad and complex organisation using leading edge technology throughout the war and this talk aims to unravel the complexities of the service.
We will look at the ranks of the RAF and how to identify them in photographs, as well as a brief guide to the major types of aircraft used by the RAF aimed to help date and place family photographs.
There was more to the Royal Air Force than just the aeroplanes, so we will examine the Royal Air Force Regiment, the Women's Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF) and other aspects of the service as well as the relationship between the Royal Air Force and the Fleet Air Arm and how to distinguish between service personnel serving in both in photographs.
Tracking down service personnel can sometimes be a complex process, particularly in the Royal Air Force so some tips on where to look and what some of the records might be useful for will be included in the talk.
Views: 375 | Enquiries: 0About Richard Marks
I am a freelance historian based in Berkshire with publications on industrial, military, and railway history, as well as the history of science. I am currently researching the industrial development in the Victorian era, the evolution of the railway and canal systems in Britain in the second half of the 19th century, and the history of British industry. I hold a PhD in economic history from the University of Reading, which I obtained in 2024. I have also taught courses on various historical topics as a tutor with the WEA.
My talks are suitable for different audiences and group sizes. I can adjust the length and format to meet your needs. My goal is to inform and entertain, and to leave the audience with a new insight and a desire to learn more.
My previous career in technology, working with British and international manufacturing companies, has given me a unique perspective as an historian.
Feedback from previous talks: "Richard had clearly done a massive amount of research and preparation. He is an excellent presenter very knowledgeable and engaging speaker. It was informative and thought provoking."
"I found the whole subject fascinating and wanted to learn more."
Other Talks on SpeakerNet by Richard Marks
- A Lot More than Spitfires; Behind the Battle of Britain
- Arrival of the Railways in Reading
- A Bomber's Moon: The Equipment and Tactics of RAF Bomber Command during World War Two
- Iron Dragons: British Tanks in the First World War
- A Barber and a Surgeon: Medicine in Victorian Times
- Stephenson's Horses: The Victorian Railways
- Trouble at Mill: Life in the Victorian Factories
- An Eclectic Extravaganza: Victorians at Leisure
- Chocks Away: The Royal Flying Corps in the First World War
- So You Think We Do Not Make Anything Anymore ? British Manufacturing in the 21st Century
- The Great Western Railway in Victorian Berkshire
- Munitions Workers in World War One
- Britain's Railways During World War One
- Britain's Railways During World War Two
- Munitions Workers in World War Two
- They also Served: Women in Britain's Armed Forces during World War Two
- A Germination of an Idea: The Suttons Seeds Company
- A lot of Bs: Industry in Victorian Reading; more than just Biscuits
- What did Aunt May do in the War? Munitions Workers in World War One for Family Historians
- What Did Grandma do in World War 2? Munitions Workers in World War Two for Family Historians
- The Royal Flying Corps in World War I for Family Historians
- The Royal Navy in World War I for Family Historians
- The Royal Navy in World War Two for Family Historians
- Football and World War One
- Britain's Railway History for Family Historians
- The Royal Air Force in World War 2
- Biscuits for Queen Victoria: The Story of the Early Days of Huntley and Palmer
- The Royal Navy in World War I
- The Royal Navy in World War 2
- The Western Front in World War One
- The Home Front in World War I
- More Than France: Why World War I was a World War
- A British Industrial Giant that Never Was: The Story of British Rail Engineering Limited
- Living in The Slums: The Experience of the Victorian Working Class
- D-Day: Operation Overlord 80th Anniversary
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