Edward Robinson, Mechanic, RFC

[David Almond]

My father recently told me that my great grandfather named Edward Casey Robinson was a mechanic in the RFC. I understand that he was only in the RFC during the War. I have done a search at the National Archives and found the medal paper for an Edward Robinson which seems to match this. He was a Mechanic First Class. How can I check if this could be my great grandfather, or find any further information? I think that he may have been injured by a propellor at some stage. Would there be medical records?

Any help would be most appreciated.

Thanks,

David

[Coldstreamer]

soldiers papers are held at the NA

see the link to the long long trail above

[per ardua per mare per terram]

There are three army medal index cards (the RAF ones have not been released to the public) online.

Medal card of Robinson, E C

Corps: Royal Flying Corps

Regiment No: 1704

Rank: Corporal (a cpl. could also be a mechanic)

Medal card of Robinson, Edward

Corps: Royal Flying Corps

Regiment No: 1918

Rank: Air Mechanic 1st Class

Medal card of Robinson, E

Corps: Royal Flying Corps

Regiment No: 8028

Rank: Air Mechanic 2nd Class

RAF (the RFC became the RAF) Service papers are also held at the National Archives, Kew in AIR 79 and are filed in service/regiment number order. They will give you next of kin details. If they are not the right man you will need to try AIR 78, an index of service numbers.

[David Almond]

Thanks for your help. I've since found that on the birth certificate of his daughter his profession was listed as 'ex-army'. Presumably the RFC would have been classed as Army then (the birth certificate was dated 1919).

As far as I can see I now need to visit the National Archives to gain any further information. Apparently there were Absent Voters Lists for the election in 1918 which I thought may help identify Edward. However, I've spoken to staff at lancashire Records Office and they don't know anything about such records.