R.N.A.S. in North London

I am trying to trace my grandfather John William Kitchenham who was a member of the R.N.A.S. engaged on home defence duties in north london during WWI against the Airship and bomber raids, any info on him or the campaign would be gratefully received.
John Richardson

Try the Great War Forum for your Grandfather's details.

http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/

They are excellent!

Cheers

Mary Brigid

[MikeW]

John,

unless your Grandfather was an officer, coming up with precise details is very problematical.

The name Kitchenham does not occur in any 1916 and 1917 lists of RNAS officers so unless he served in 1914/15 or briefly in 1918 I have to assume that he was from the "other ranks".


"Home Defence duties in North London" could mean anything from a Home defence flight to an anti-aircraft battery. The RNAS operated Home Defence flights from aerodromes around the capital, Royal Naval Air Station Hendon springing immediately to mind (on the site now occupied by the RAF Museum and the Police Training College).

Lists of the personnel at these stations are hard to come by which is why we know so little about the mechanics, riggers and craftsmen.


You may well be able to find some basic details of your Grandfather's service at the National Archive at Kew. I'm not sure that you will be able to find details of where he was stationed though.


Mike

I hope to make it to Kew shortly and will keep you posted, again many thanks for your response