Sergeant Frederick Archibald James Royal Air Force
The Man Frederick Archibald James (Fred) was born on Saturday 23rd August 1919 in Southwark, London, his mothers maiden name was Bowden. He had at least one brother, Ernie.
Following his education, Fred became an electrician and on 14th June 1939 aged 19, enlisted into the Royal Air Force as Aircraftsman 2nd Class with service number 647835 and a trade of Aircrafthand / Instrument Repairer, at the time he was living at 27 Lovat Road off Garstang road, Preston.
He undertook his initial training at RAF Scampton until 25th August 1939, remaining there during the outbreak of World War II on 3rd September. He was posted to No 1 Wing, No 1 Electrical & Wireless School on 9th December at RAF Thorney Island and promoted to AC 1 on 1st April 1940. On 6th September he was posted to RAF Creedenhill, also known as RAF Hereford – No 4 Wing 11 School of Technical Training. This was followed by No 151 Squadron at RAF Wittering on 4th January 1941, promotion to Leading Aircraftsman on 1st May and Corporal on 1st December. Then came No 1424 Flight at RAF Larkhill and Old Sarum on 11th February 1942 and it was whilst here he married Lilian Ashworth in Preston during the third quarter of 1942.
On 26th January 1944 he was posted to No 526 Sqn RAF Longman, Inverness and promoted to Sergeant on 1st June attending an NCO Course at No 526 Sqn RAF Hunmanby Moor on 27th September.
On 29th November 1944 he was transferred to No 2 Personnel Dispersal Centre at Morecambe in preparation for posting to the Middle East, arriving on 14th December 1944 during the Jewish uprising in Palestine and as part of Air Headquarters Levant.
AHQ Levant was a command of the RAF established on 1 December 1941 following the renaming of HQ RAF Palestine and Transjordan. It controlled RAF units in the Mandate of Palestine and in the Emirate of Transjordan. Prior to being disbanded on 27 July 1948, Air HQ Levant was a sub-command of Mediterranean Air Command from February 1943.
Following his education, Fred became an electrician and on 14th June 1939 aged 19, enlisted into the Royal Air Force as Aircraftsman 2nd Class with service number 647835 and a trade of Aircrafthand / Instrument Repairer, at the time he was living at 27 Lovat Road off Garstang road, Preston.
He undertook his initial training at RAF Scampton until 25th August 1939, remaining there during the outbreak of World War II on 3rd September. He was posted to No 1 Wing, No 1 Electrical & Wireless School on 9th December at RAF Thorney Island and promoted to AC 1 on 1st April 1940. On 6th September he was posted to RAF Creedenhill, also known as RAF Hereford – No 4 Wing 11 School of Technical Training. This was followed by No 151 Squadron at RAF Wittering on 4th January 1941, promotion to Leading Aircraftsman on 1st May and Corporal on 1st December. Then came No 1424 Flight at RAF Larkhill and Old Sarum on 11th February 1942 and it was whilst here he married Lilian Ashworth in Preston during the third quarter of 1942.
On 26th January 1944 he was posted to No 526 Sqn RAF Longman, Inverness and promoted to Sergeant on 1st June attending an NCO Course at No 526 Sqn RAF Hunmanby Moor on 27th September.
On 29th November 1944 he was transferred to No 2 Personnel Dispersal Centre at Morecambe in preparation for posting to the Middle East, arriving on 14th December 1944 during the Jewish uprising in Palestine and as part of Air Headquarters Levant.
AHQ Levant was a command of the RAF established on 1 December 1941 following the renaming of HQ RAF Palestine and Transjordan. It controlled RAF units in the Mandate of Palestine and in the Emirate of Transjordan. Prior to being disbanded on 27 July 1948, Air HQ Levant was a sub-command of Mediterranean Air Command from February 1943.
Whilst in Palestine, he served at RAF Shallufa from February – April 1945 RAF Agir until 15 July and Ein Shemer until 27th November when he returned to the UK via France. His final posting was No 104 Personnel Dispersal Centre in preparation for his release at RAF Hednesford on 19th December, formally leaving the RAF on 28th February 1946.
Upon his release Squadron Leader G C Hicks said of Fred
“A good steady worker who is recommended for employment as electrician or installation work in the building trade”.
He was awarded the Defence Medal, War Medal 1939-45 and General Service Medal with clasp ‘Palestine 1945-48’, the latter awarded under Air Ministry Order 958 of 1947.
Fred and Lilian lived at 101 Symonds Road, Preston, Lancashire. No detail is known about Fred’s later life, except he died in April 1999 aged 79 in Barrow in Furness, Cumbria.
Upon his release Squadron Leader G C Hicks said of Fred
“A good steady worker who is recommended for employment as electrician or installation work in the building trade”.
He was awarded the Defence Medal, War Medal 1939-45 and General Service Medal with clasp ‘Palestine 1945-48’, the latter awarded under Air Ministry Order 958 of 1947.
Fred and Lilian lived at 101 Symonds Road, Preston, Lancashire. No detail is known about Fred’s later life, except he died in April 1999 aged 79 in Barrow in Furness, Cumbria.
The Story The medal trio awarded to Archibald Frederick James were acquired from E-Bay on 10th August 2021 and of interest because of the photographs and documentation with the group, the latter confirming the awards.
A search of Ancestry.UK and the documents, enabled a brief biography to be pieced together. It is especially good to have a nice portrait picture of Fred annotated in his own hand.
A search of Ancestry.UK and the documents, enabled a brief biography to be pieced together. It is especially good to have a nice portrait picture of Fred annotated in his own hand.
Medal Award Box for Defence and War Medal 1939-45
Frederick James personalised RAF plaque
Medal Details:
- War Medal: Unnamed as awarded.
- Defence Medal 1939-45: Unnamed as awarded.
- General Service Medal: 647835 SGT F.A.JAMES. R.A.F.
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This page last updated 27 Sep 21
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