Discover Your British Royal Air Force Ancestors Using Historical Records

In 1918, the Royal Air Force (RAF) was formed from a combination of the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Air Service. The United Kingdom, British Air Force Lists, 1919–1945 collection, recently added to MyHeritage, opens the door to discovering more about those who served in it.

Featuring nearly 4 million historical records, this collection is a valuable resource for anyone researching RAF ancestors, exploring their family history, and building their family tree.

Key takeaways about the British Air Force lists

• The collection includes nearly 4 million RAF historical records from 1919–1945
• You can discover ranks, roles, honors, and career progression
• Many individuals appear across multiple years, helping you trace their service over time
• Both men and women are included in these records
• Searching with name variations can help uncover more results

What are Air Force lists?

Air Force Lists are formal printed registers of commissioned officers serving in the RAF at the time of publication. These lists were published regularly, although many are now confidential. This collection focuses on the period following the end of World War I through the end of World War II. The lists include a wide range of roles within the RAF, such as pilot officers, flight engineers, and navigators. Women are also represented, including medical staff and members of the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF).

What can the records tell me?

Depending on the time period you research and the individual’s rank, you may discover:

1. The person’s name (often recorded as initials and surname, such as S. A. Smith)
2. Their occupation (for example, navigator)
3. Their rank (for example, flying officer)
4. Their commission date
5. Honors received (such as OBE – Officer of the Order of the British Empire)
6. Gallantry and service awards (such as DFC – Distinguished Flying Cross)
7. Training institutions attended (such as IDC – Imperial Defence College)
8. Educational background (including degrees such as B.Sc.)
9. Whether they were on probation (often marked with a bold “P”)
10. Notes on missions or assignments
11. Whether they were seconded from another government department

How to use these records to trace your RAF ancestor

Step 1: Search for your ancestor on MyHeritage

Begin by searching for your ancestor in the MyHeritage historical records collection. Enter any details you know, even if it is just a name. Try both full names and initials to uncover more results.

Step 2: Review all matching records

Finding your ancestor in these lists confirms their service in the Royal Air Force on a specific date and shows their rank at that time. Many individuals appear multiple times across different years.

Step 3: Trace career progression

By reviewing multiple entries, you can follow your ancestor’s career path, including promotions and role changes over time.

Tracing an RAF serviceman’s career

A nice example of such a career would be John Edward Franklin Voss, that appears more than 100 times in the British Air Force Lists. Born in 1915, he had a long career in the RAF. In 1937, he was listed as Grade III in the RAF Educational Service and held a Bachelor of Science degree. By April 4, 1939, he had reached the rank of pilot officer, the most junior commissioned officer rank, and was also listed as an honorary flying officer on probation. In the 1941 list, he was recorded as a flying officer as of September 1, 1939, serving in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, a date that coincides with the beginning of World War II. By 1945, he had advanced to squadron leader in the Technical Branch; this rank was marked as temporary, indicated by a “t” next to his name. 

John E Voss in the U.K. RAF lists

Researching female ancestors in Air Force lists

The process for researching female ancestors is similar, with a few key differences. Many women married during the war, so it is helpful to search using both maiden and married names. Titles such as Miss or Mrs can also help with identification.

Women may appear in organizations such as the Women’s Royal Air Force (WRAF), the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF), or Princess Mary’s Royal Air Force Nursing Service (PMRAFNS). Their ranks and roles are recorded in the same way as those of men.

A typical female example

Hilda Muriel Laborde was born in Barbados in 1916 and moved to London in 1919. In 1940, she was listed as an assistant section officer in the WAAF, and her record shows that she was unmarried and received this role on September 7, 1939. By 1941, she had advanced to section officer, with the promotion dated May 11, 1941. A “w” appears next to her name, indicating “War Substantive,” meaning she had held the rank for a sufficient period to make it official. 

Hilda Muriel Laborde in the U.K. RAF lists

Continue your discovery on MyHeritage

If you discover that your ancestor served in the Royal Air Force, you can continue your research by exploring related historical documents on MyHeritage. These include additional military collections and billions of historical records that can help you uncover more details about your family’s past, like the United Kingdom, Royal Air Force Personnel collection covering between 1914-1928, as well as the De Ruvigny’s Roll Of Honour 1914-1924 collection, which contains the biographies of over 26,000 men who were in the British Army, Navy and Air Force and who died during WWI.

You can also build your family tree and connect these discoveries to create a fuller picture of your family history. Where will your journey take you?

FAQs about the British Air Force lists

What are RAF Air Force Lists?

RAF Air Force Lists are official publications that record commissioned officers serving in the Royal Air Force at specific points in time, including details about rank, role, and service history.

How can I find my RAF ancestor?

Search using your ancestor’s name in MyHeritage historical records. Try variations such as full names and initials to uncover more results.

What information can I learn from these records?

You can discover ranks, roles, commission dates, honors, training, and career progression over time.

Are women included in these records?

Yes, women appear in several RAF-related organizations, and their roles and ranks are recorded similarly to those of men.

Why do some individuals appear multiple times?

Many RAF personnel are listed across multiple years, allowing you to trace promotions and career development.

Chloe O’Shea is an English genealogy specialist with an MA in Museum Studies and founder of The Past Revealed. She has authored several books, including Tracing your Staffordshire Ancestors (2025), and is a regular contributor to “Who Do You Think You Are?” Magazine, Family Tree, and Dorset Magazine.