annestormont Posted 25 March , 2010 Share Posted 25 March , 2010 I have come aross the medal card of a relative (I am researching the Drayton side of my family) He was in the Dorset Royal Flying Corp. and the Royal Air Force from 1915 to 1922. Can anyone help with any more information? Would his service record be available? Where would they be kept? His name was Ralph Drayton, born 1897 in Hampshire. His card does not appear to have a service number on it. Any help would be much appreciated . Thankyou. Anne Stormont Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
josquin Posted 26 March , 2010 Share Posted 26 March , 2010 Anne An RAF officer's service record for Ralph - Drayton, birthdate 2 December 1896, is at AIR 76/140 at the National Archives (available online at http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documen...line/air76.asp). This would be the Ralph - Drayton whose birth was registered at Christchurch, Hampshire, in December, 1896 (as listed in Births, Marriages, & Deaths, England & Wales). Ancestry.com has a 1901 Census listing for him, as well. There is also a death listing on Ancestry.com for a Ralph - Drayton in 1936, but I don't know if this is the same man. Regards Trelawney Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
annestormont Posted 26 March , 2010 Author Share Posted 26 March , 2010 Thank you so much for that info - this site always turns up trumps! Anne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
per ardua per mare per terram Posted 26 March , 2010 Share Posted 26 March , 2010 His Medal Index Card is unlikely to be online, these are War Office documents and only show a tiny fraction of the men who were in the RFC or RAF. The RAF have yet to release their MICs to the public. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fetubi Posted 26 March , 2010 Share Posted 26 March , 2010 Anne, Looks like he was an MC which may make the hunt easier. On this page on the Flight Archive site http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/vie...20-%200602.html he appears as "R. Drayton, M.C. (Lieut, Dorset R. SR), and to be Hon. Lieut." There is a highly detailed book out there on air MCs of WW1 - someone from the Forum may have it and he may/should be in there. Regards, Trevor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
annestormont Posted 26 March , 2010 Author Share Posted 26 March , 2010 Thank you all for your comments and help. I found Ralph's medal card on Ancestry and his service record on line at the archives at Kew. Really thrilled to have found out so much in just a few hours! He went to Bournemouth School and they have information too. Also found him mentioned in the Times for gallantry, and receiving the Military Cross. Sadly he died in 1937 - only 40. Again, wouldn't have found all this without help from this great site. Thank you. Anne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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