Royal Flying Corps

14 November 2005, 10:16 AM

New member here with my first post.

I recently had the opportunity to tour the RCAF Memorial Musem at CFB Trenton in Canada.

While there we found two panoramic photos from 1918 that both showed my great-grandfather, Bertram William Foster Shevel. His grave marker in Hamilton, Ontario states that we was a Flight Sargeant. What is confusing is that it appears in one of the pictures that he is wearing an officers tunic, shorts, knee high socks and a wedge cap on his head.

I was wondering if anyone could provide some information on the RFC in Beamsville. Are there lists available of the training staff, etc?

Prior to the RFC, he was in the Royal Navy and sailed on the HMS Lord Nelson.

With this information, I've developed an interest in tracking down as much infomation about him as I can.

Any help, comments would be greatly appreciated.

MilesC · 23 November 2005, 02:05 PM

Hi GShevel,
I just spotted your post. I don't have specific information on your G-Grandfather, however you can access the personnel records for all Canadian forces personnel at:

Personnel Records Unit, RSD,
The National Archives,
395 Wellington St, Ottawa, ON, K1A ON3

It may take a while to get an answer, they are kind of slow at times.

Also, the Directorate of History can be reached by mail at:
Directorate of History,
National Defence Headquarters,
MGen George R Pearkes Bldg,
Ottawa, ON,
Canada K1A OK2

Unless of course he was in the RFC (as you surmise), in which case you have to contact the British archives, try the following site:

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/c...afletID=60&j=1