Trying to find record for Hugh McDavitt

Hi,
Hoping someone maybe able to give me some advice on locating more information on Hugh McDavitt.
I am helping a friend who is the daughter of Hugh. She doesn't know much as she was adopted.
What she does know is the following.
Hugh McDavitt served in the RAF during WW2.
He signed on at Padgate. His service number is 1004548/781062. He was a rear gunner and was shot down April 1945.
That is all she knows.
I have searched British newspapers to see if there was any mention of a Hugh McDavitt perhaps being taken prisoner, also searched National Archives web site.
Did find a McDavitt mentioned in the combat reports 22 Sep. 1943. However it didn't mention a Christian name or a service number. Just has the surname.
This McDavitt was in the 207 Squadron. Not much help.
Any suggestions on what to try next would be grateful.
Cheers
Sue

 

Hi Sue,

Could you clarify that the chap you are searching was in 207 Squadron?

If he is, try looking at the Operation Record Book for the Squadron. The link for said Squadron in April 1945 is Squadron Number: 207 Records of Events: Y | The National Archives, download is free if you are registered with the National Archives website.

Mark

 

Hi Mark,
Thank you for your reply.
The McDavitt in the 207 squadron just had a surname. So it could be anyone with the same surname. My friend doesn't know what squadron Hugh was in just that he was in the RAF and that his plane was shot down 1945.
Cheers
Sue

 

Hi Mark,
Downloaded the file from the Archives as you suggested. No mention of a McDavitt Apr. 1945.
I then went back and downloaded the file for the McDavitt 1943.
I can now discount the McDavitt in the 207 squadron. He was A. T. McDavitt.
Interesting files to read sad when they did not return.
Must have a look and see if there are any of my fathers squadrons mentioned. He was also RAF in signals.
Cheers
Sue

 

Great that you were able to discount that McDavitt.

The next step, and what probably should have been the first, is for your friend to apply for service records. Details here: Get a copy of military service records.

Mark

 

Hi Mark,
I did go to the site to obtain a copy of Hugh's service record. However we have one problem you need to have proof a date of death.
This we can't do as my friend does not know when or where he died. She and her sister were both adopted out.
Cheers
Sue

 

Do you have any details on Hugh’s birth, place of residence, etc?

 

Only thing she was told is Hugh's father was Scottish and the mother was Spanish
I did find one on the 1939 register could be him but then it's a bit of guess work at this stage. It did have birth date 1909 then it was crossed out and 1898 entered.
I also found a birth for a Hugh McDavitt catholic church records born 1909 in Glasgow. Mothers name not Spanish but then she could have born to English parents in Spain.
Found the parents marriage and found the family on the 1911 Scottish census. But does not prove it is the Hugh we are looking for.
Cheers
Sue

 

I am probably telling you how to suck eggs, but were your friend's parents married? A look at the marriage certificate can help with details.

 

Hi Mark,
No the parents were not married which does not help us either. There were two children my friend and her sister. I don't think Hugh was around for long that is why the two children were adopted out.
I hope to catch up with my friend again this week to see if there is any other little bits of info. she might remember.
Cheers
Sue

 

I joined up with the Forces War records web site.
New record which must have been just added to their site in the last couple of days.
Hugh McDevitt enlisted at Padgate joined between Sep. 1938 and Feb 1940. Hugh was appointed as a Class F Reservist. Service #1004548.
Primary Unit. Royal Air Force.
Archives Ref. AIR 78 went onto the archives site. None of the AIR 78 records are online.
Was hoping the Forces War records just may have given me something else. A bit of a waist of time and money.
The only thing it did tell me was the surname was McDevitt and not McDavitt. But with genealogy miss spelt surnames were not unusual.
Back to the drawing board.
Cheers

 

Sue,

Have a look at these records: McDermott, A - McDonald, Heather. | The National Archives, which can be downloaded free. They won't give you much, they will be in this format:

 

Sue,

This is Hugh's card from AIR 78

 

Hi Mark,
Wow how did you find that? I spent half the day searching the AIR 78 records and couldn't find anything or said it couldn't be downloaded.
I will go back now and have a look.
Thank you so much for your help
Cheers
Sue

 

Searching the National Archives site can be a bit confusing. I have spent hours looking for records, found them, then lost them. I shall have to try and find those I seek again soon.

 

Oh I agree it can be confusing and frustrating at times. I have a copy of Hugh's card.
I them went onto other lists and tried a few other series only to find they are not able to be downloaded.
I have spent many hours here in New Zealand at our Archives in Wellington searching through records finding wonderful information.
If I ever got to England I would need to spend years there going through their Archives. So like many I need to be patient and wait for the info. to go on line.
Cheers
Sue

 

I have just been playing record roulette on Ancestry (thanks to Covid and SLV, available from their website), and found this possible and plausible record. When I say possible, the dates would fall within limits of activity. It may not be the Hugh being searched but...

 

Now that could be a possible. Like you we have access to Ancestry for free from home. I will have a look at Canadian records see if he is mentioned any where.
Though I have done a bit of Canadian research their later records access is not the best.
Thank you a lead worth following.

 

Just found on Scotlandspeople a Hugh McDevitt birth registered 1921 Hutchesontown, Glasgow.
No Canadian deaths online for the years he may have died. But then I would need to see if he stayed there. He may have gone back home or moved around a bit.
Once again it might be him it might not.
Cheers

 

Had a chat with my friend yesterday to see if she can remember anything else.
She told me that Hugh had written letters to her mother. They were not married but Hugh mentioned in a letter that he was looking forward to seeing his little girl.
My friend has a copy of her birth certificate fathers name not mentioned. Which is a blow because she can't even prove he was her father to obtain his RAF records.
Also mentioned is that Hugh was killed Apr 1945. Once again no record of a Hugh McDevitt on the Commonwealth war graves site or in the English deaths nor the Scottish B,D,M. Did search either side of 1945 as well.
I am now wondering if he found out that his daughter had been adopted once the war was over he then left the country which could be him on the passenger list going to Canada.
I have also joined up with another forum British Genealogy which has a forum for RAF and asked the question is there any way of obtaining RAF records without proof of next of kin and a death cert.
I think I all ready know the answer but someone may have found a way around it.
I find the MOD site so very frustrating in trying to contact them. I thought if I could ask them the question directly they might give me some guide as to what I could do. Gave up in the end and find the forums a lot more helpful.
I did read it can now take up to 18 months to get your record. Covid is being a right pain.
Cheers
Sue