My dad

Date: Jun 8, 2014

My dad

MikeH · Air Vice Marshall

Hi Paul,

did you dad previously serve with 15 Squadron?

The online National Archives show a combat report submitted by a Sgt Diggins 28th July 1942. I believe the target would have been Hamburg.

http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/s/res?discoveryCustomSearch=true&_ln=diggins&_ttl=&_crp=&_sd=&_ed=&_ser=AIR+50&_col=online&_dt=CR&image1.x=0&image1.y=0

Regards,

Mike

Paul diggins · Aircraftsman 1st Class

Hi thanks for such a quick response ! As I posted, dad is currently in hospital in our home town of Bournemouth in Dorset. I will ask him when we visit later or ask my Mother if she knows. He is also one of only a few members still alive of our local branch of the air gunners association if that might help. He was in 166 squadron bomber command in Lincolnshire

-- Edited by Paul diggins on Sunday 8th of June 2014 03:28:07 AM

PeteT · Wing Commander

Can you confirm whether or not he is Ronald Edwin Diggins?

Regards

Pete

UPDATE:

(Mike: Flight Global reports that incident as a Sgt WWO Diggins of 15 Squadron)

-- Edited by PeteT on Sunday 8th of June 2014 04:48:08 AM

Paul diggins · Aircraftsman 1st Class

Yes, Ronald Edwin Diggins 17/12/1925.

AW · Air Commodore

Paul,

On the date of the Combat Report, stated by Mike earlier, the Stirling they were on board, W7588 "J" crash landed at Coltishall, with one of the crew suffering a broken limb, the remainder being unhurt. Crew were........

P/O Meredith.

Sgt Musgrove.

Sgt Vincent.

Sgt Escreet.

Sgt Diggins.

Sgt Buchanan.

Sgt Levesque.

It appears that the crew member with the broken limb, was Sgt Diggins, as he is not with the crew on ops after this incident.

-- Edited by AW on Sunday 8th of June 2014 06:00:50 AM

-- Edited by AW on Sunday 8th of June 2014 06:16:48 AM

PeteT · Wing Commander

Paul

I can only find one, RE Diggins / Ronald Edwin Diggins in AIR 78 (RAF Personnel Listing) so I believe his service number may be 1853828. (see link: discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/image/Index/C4004640). This number means he enlisted at Oxford after November 1942.

With a date of birth of 17th December 1925 he would have been required to register for National Service on 18th September 1943, so that may give you a rough guide on when he enlisted, although he may have volunteered before this date.

..... now we need to confirm that this is the right number and then find out his postings (which you may have to get from his service record)

Regards

Pete

Paul diggins · Aircraftsman 1st Class

Dad says he enlisted may12th 1943 aged 17 but was air training cor from age 13and was obviously keen to see action ASAP as were most. Trained to be a gunner as was desperate to see action ! 1853828 is not his service number according to family. Sorry to be so vague, but will post as much information as possible ASAP thanks