Web address: http://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/

The Royal Air Force Museum exists to preserve, conserve and exhibit the history of the RAF and its relationship with aviation. It aims to promote the public's understanding of the role and achievements of the RAF for the benefit of future generations. The Museum maintains substantial documentary holdings on the RAF and military aviation. These include the papers of Marshal of the Royal Air Force Lord Trenchard and Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur Harris, microfilmed copies of aircraft accident cards and movement cards, the First World War (RFC) casualty index, a large collection of pilots' log books, and the records of the Handley Page aircraft company. There is also a library and a photographic archive. Visitors by appointment only.

Department of Research and Information Services, Royal Air Force Museum, Grahame Park Way, Hendon, London, NW9 5LL

Tel: 020 8205 2266

Air Historical Branch (RAF), Building 266, RAF Bentley Priory, Stanmore,
Middlesex, HA7 3HH

Web address: http://www.cwgc.org/

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission was established to mark and maintain the graves of the members of the British forces and of the Commonwealth who were killed in the two World Wars, to build memorials to those who have no known grave and to keep records and registers of the dead. Records are held at the Commission's Head Office that enable staff to help enquirers locate a particular grave or a name on a memorial. Traces are carried out free of charge for relatives, but other enquirers have to pay a small fee for this service. Copies of cemetery and memorial registers and other publications relating to the Commission's work can be supplied; a price list is available on request.

Enquiries Section, Commonwealth War Graves Commission, 2 Marlow Road, Maidenhead, Berkshire, SL6 7DX

Tel: 01628 634221

Fax: 01628 771208

Web address: http://www.iwm.org.uk/

The Imperial War Museum's collections illustrate all aspects of warfare in the twentieth century where British and Commonwealth forces have been involved. It maintains an outstanding collection of film, photographs, documents, art, firearms, medals, printed material and sound recordings. The Department of Documents holds collections of personal letters, diaries, manuscripts, unpublished memoirs, foreign documents and war crimes trials records. The Department's reading room is open Monday to Saturday, 10.00am - 5.00pm (it is closed during the last two full weeks of November). Visitors by appointment.

Department of Documents, Imperial War Museum, Lambeth Road, London, SE1 6HZ

Tel: 020 7416 5221/5222/5226

Fax: 020 7416 5374

Web address: http://www.pro.gov.uk/

The Public Record Office (PRO) houses the national archives of England and the United Kingdom, that is, records created by the actions of central government and of the courts of law of England and Wales. The documents number many millions, ranging in date from the Norman Conquest to the present day. Public records, with few exceptions, are available for inspection by members of the public thirty years after the end of the year in which they were created. The vast majority of records preserved by the RAF are located in the AIR classes at the PRO, together with documents on associated topics such as defence policy and military aircraft procurement. A readers' guide is available for purchase:

S. Fowler, P. Elliot, R. Nesbit and C. Goulter, RAF Records in the PRO (PRO Publications, 1994)

Admission is by reader's ticket, which will be issued on production of proof of identity, such as a driving licence or passport. PRO staff are available to assist visitors, but cannot undertake research. Details of professional researchers, who offer their services for a fee, are available from the PRO.

Closed on Public holidays and for annual stocktaking (usually in early December).

Public Record Office, Ruskin Avenue, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 4DU.

Tel: 020 8876 3444