No. 85 Squadron RAF
Encyclopedia
No. 85 Squadron is a squadron of the Royal Air Force
. It most recently served as No. 85 (Reserve) Squadron based at RAF Church Fenton
.
was formed at Upavon
on 1 August 1917; the station was home to the Royal Flying Corps
Central Flying School
. Shortly afterwards, the squadron moved to Mousehold Heath
near Norwich
under the command of Major R A Archer. During November 1917 the squadron transferred to Hounslow Heath Aerodrome
, and in March 1918 Major William Avery Bishop VC
, DSO
, MC
, took command and carried out his orders to prepare and train for front line duties in France. On 1 April 1918 No. 85 Squadron was transferred into the new Royal Air Force. Following this period of training the squadron deployed to France during May 1918. Equipped with the Sopwith Dolphin and later the Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5
A, it flew fighter patrols and ground attack sorties over the Western Front
until the Armistice
was signed.
On 21 June 1918, there was a change of command and training methods following the arrival of the new CO, Major Edward "Mick" Mannock
DSO, MC. Rather than fight as individuals, the squadron was taught to act as a unit during combat. During a patrol on 26 July 1918, accompanying Lt DC Inglis over the front line, Major Mannock failed to return, depriving 85 Squadron of its leader. On 18 July 1919, Major Mannock was awarded a posthumous VC
. No. 85 Squadron amassed 99 victories during its short involvement in the conflict. Besides Bishop and Mannock, the squadron had other notable aces, such as Malcolm C. McGregor
, Arthur Randall
, John Warner
, Alec Reid, Spencer B. Horn
, Walter H. Longton
, and Lawrence Callahan
.
It returned to the UK in February 1919. The squadron disbanded on 3 July 1919.
and placed under the command of Flight Lieutenant D E Turner. The squadron was based at RAF Debden
in Essex, and commenced training using the Gloster Gladiator
(the RAF's last biplane fighter). On 4 September the first Hawker Hurricane
s began arriving in numbers.
The war clouds began to darken the horizon once again, and another trip to France was beckoning for the young men and their Hurricane fighters. No. 85 Squadron received the signal ordering its immediate mobilisation on 23 August 1939, the aircraft making up both "A" and "B" Flights were kept at a state of constant readiness, by 1 September the squadron had completed its preparation for the impending move to France. On the outbreak of the Second World War, the squadron moved its 16 Hurricanes to Boos as part of the Air Component of the British Expeditionary Force
(BEF) 60th Fighter Wing. Their primary role was to give support to the Fairey Battle
and Bristol Blenheim
units deployed around Rheims, and to provide vital air defence cover for their bases. Initial sorties however involved patrols over the English Channel
, and a move to Merville was instigated in late September. By 1 November 1939, another move saw the squadron based at Lille Seclin, however to maintain its patrols over the Channel sections were detached to Le Touquet and Saint-Inglevert
. During one such patrol over the Boulogne
area, the squadron scored its first victory of World War II when Flight Lieutenant R.H.A. Lee attacked a Heinkel He 111
which crashed into the Channel, exploding on impact.
December 1939 saw a Royal visit from his Majesty the King accompanied by the Duke of Gloucester
and Viscount Lord Gort. The onset of winter proved to be an additional challenge as bitterly cold weather prevented flying, caused damage to aircraft and took its toll on the health of the airmen who were living in fairly primitive conditions. When the German invasion (Blitzkrieg) commenced in May 1940, 85 Squadron found itself locked in a bitter contest with the Luftwaffe
, and with attacks on its aerodromes commonplace there was no respite from operations. In an eleven day period the squadron had accounted for a confirmed total of 90 enemy aircraft; there were many more claims that could not be substantiated. The final sorties saw the squadron giving fighter cover to the Allied armies until its bases were finally overrun and the three remaining aircraft retired to the UK. During the intense battles over France, the squadron lost seventeen pilots; two killed, six wounded and nine missing, this figure included their new CO, Squadron Leader Peacock but had once again had acquitted itself well in the face of many adversities.
The squadron re-equipped and resumed full operations early in June 1940. After taking part in the first half of the Battle of Britain
over southern England, the squadron moved to Yorkshire
in September, and in October following a change in role commenced night fighter
patrols. For the remainder of the Second World War, No. 85 Squadron continued its nocturnal pursuit of intercepting enemy raiders, it had a brief period providing Bomber Support as part of No. 100 Group RAF
and even took part in the famous anti-diver patrols intercepting V1 flying bombs.
Following the end of war in Europe, 85 Squadron remained active as a night-fighter unit, and flying operations continued into the jet age with new aircraft types such as the Gloster Meteor
, Gloster Javelin
and English Electric Canberra
. In its final reformation on 19 December 1975, No. 85 Squadron was a Bristol Bloodhound Mark II surface to air missile unit; operating from several key bases in the United Kingdom and headquartered at RAF West Raynham
in Norfolk. The squadron continued to play a significant part in Air Defence operations as part of 11 Group RAF Strike Command
until the 1990s. The collapse of the Warsaw Pact
and the end of the Cold War
period heralded wide sweeping changes in the United Kingdom's Air Defence needs. 85 Squadron was disbanded on 10 July 1991 and the Standard bearing the squadron's battle honour
s was interred and is in the safe keeping of Ely Cathedral
.
2007 marked the 90th Anniversary of No. 85 Squadron, its Association met in June to celebrate the rich history gained throughout the many years of service to the Nation and the Crown.
No. 85 Squadron reformed as 85 (Reserve) Squadron in 2008, based at RAF Church Fenton
, teaching Elementary Flying Training in the Grob Tutor
. In August 2011, the squadron was disbanded due to the reductions in the RAF and Fleet Air Arm
following the 2010 Strategic Defence and Security Review
.
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
. It most recently served as No. 85 (Reserve) Squadron based at RAF Church Fenton
RAF Church Fenton
RAF Church Fenton is a Royal Air Force airfield at Church Fenton in North Yorkshire, England.- History :Plans for a new airfield adjacent to the village of Church Fenton were announced in June 1935, it was subject to protest from the local population particularly concerning the waste of valuable...
.
In World War I
No. 85 SquadronSquadron (aviation)
A squadron in air force, army aviation or naval aviation is mainly a unit comprising a number of military aircraft, usually of the same type, typically with 12 to 24 aircraft, sometimes divided into three or four flights, depending on aircraft type and air force...
was formed at Upavon
Upavon
Upavon is a rural village in the English County of Wiltshire, England. As its name suggests, it is on the upper portions of the River Avon which runs from the north to the south through the village. It is situated about south of Pewsey, about southeast of the market town of Devizes, and about ...
on 1 August 1917; the station was home to the Royal Flying Corps
Royal Flying Corps
The Royal Flying Corps was the over-land air arm of the British military during most of the First World War. During the early part of the war, the RFC's responsibilities were centred on support of the British Army, via artillery co-operation and photographic reconnaissance...
Central Flying School
Central Flying School
The Central Flying School is the Royal Air Force's primary institution for the training of military flying instructors. Established in 1912 it is the longest existing flying training school.-History:...
. Shortly afterwards, the squadron moved to Mousehold Heath
Mousehold Heath
Mousehold Heath is an area of heathland and woodland which lies in north east Norwich, England and a designated Local Nature Reserve . It is now mostly covered by broad-leaf semi-natural woodland, although some areas of heath remain and are actively managed....
near Norwich
Norwich
Norwich is a city in England. It is the regional administrative centre and county town of Norfolk. During the 11th century, Norwich was the largest city in England after London, and one of the most important places in the kingdom...
under the command of Major R A Archer. During November 1917 the squadron transferred to Hounslow Heath Aerodrome
Hounslow Heath Aerodrome
Hounslow Heath Aerodrome was a grass airfield, operational 1914-1920. It was situated in the London borough of Hounslow, and in 1919 was the location from which the first scheduled daily international commercial air services took place.-1909-1914:...
, and in March 1918 Major William Avery Bishop VC
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
, DSO
Distinguished Service Order
The Distinguished Service Order is a military decoration of the United Kingdom, and formerly of other parts of the British Commonwealth and Empire, awarded for meritorious or distinguished service by officers of the armed forces during wartime, typically in actual combat.Instituted on 6 September...
, MC
Military Cross
The Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
, took command and carried out his orders to prepare and train for front line duties in France. On 1 April 1918 No. 85 Squadron was transferred into the new Royal Air Force. Following this period of training the squadron deployed to France during May 1918. Equipped with the Sopwith Dolphin and later the Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5
Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5
The Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5 was a British biplane fighter aircraft of the First World War. Although the first examples reached the Western Front before the Sopwith Camel and it had a much better overall performance, problems with its Hispano-Suiza engine, particularly the geared-output H-S...
A, it flew fighter patrols and ground attack sorties over the Western Front
Western Front (World War I)
Following the outbreak of World War I in 1914, the German Army opened the Western Front by first invading Luxembourg and Belgium, then gaining military control of important industrial regions in France. The tide of the advance was dramatically turned with the Battle of the Marne...
until the Armistice
Armistice
An armistice is a situation in a war where the warring parties agree to stop fighting. It is not necessarily the end of a war, but may be just a cessation of hostilities while an attempt is made to negotiate a lasting peace...
was signed.
On 21 June 1918, there was a change of command and training methods following the arrival of the new CO, Major Edward "Mick" Mannock
Edward Mannock
Major Edward Corringham "Mick" Mannock VC, DSO and Two Bars, MC & Bar was a British First World War flying ace. Mannock was probably born in Ireland, though of English and Scottish parentage....
DSO, MC. Rather than fight as individuals, the squadron was taught to act as a unit during combat. During a patrol on 26 July 1918, accompanying Lt DC Inglis over the front line, Major Mannock failed to return, depriving 85 Squadron of its leader. On 18 July 1919, Major Mannock was awarded a posthumous VC
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
. No. 85 Squadron amassed 99 victories during its short involvement in the conflict. Besides Bishop and Mannock, the squadron had other notable aces, such as Malcolm C. McGregor
Malcolm C. McGregor
Captain Malcolm Charles McGregor was a New Zealand born World War I flying ace. He was credited with 11 victories during the war. Postwar, he was an aviation pioneer in his home country and a competitor in intercontinental air racing.-World War I:...
, Arthur Randall
Arthur Randall
Captain Arthur Clunie Randall was a World War I flying ace credited with 10 aerial victories. After earning a Distinguished Flying Cross during the war, he remained in military service until 1926.-Early life:...
, John Warner
John Warner (aviator)
Lieutenant John Weston Warner was a World War I flying ace credited with eight aerial victories.-References:...
, Alec Reid, Spencer B. Horn
Spencer B. Horn
Captain Spencer Bertram Horn was a World War I flying ace credited with thirteen aerial victories.Horn was the youngest of seven children born to Penelope Elizabeth Belt and William Austin Horn...
, Walter H. Longton
Walter H. Longton
Captain Walter Hunt Longton was an English World War I flying ace credited with 11 confirmed aerial victories. Most unusually for a British or Commonwealth ace, all his victories resulted in the destruction of his foe....
, and Lawrence Callahan
Lawrence Callahan
Lieutenant Lawrence Kingsley Callahan was a World War I flying ace credited with five victories.-World War I aerial service:He was living in Chicago when he initially joined the Aviation Section, U.S. Signal Corps. He served on exchange duty with the Royal Flying Corps, receiving advanced training...
.
It returned to the UK in February 1919. The squadron disbanded on 3 July 1919.
In World War II
On June 1, 1938, the squadron was reformed from the renumbered elements of "A" Flight No. 87 Squadron RAFNo. 87 Squadron RAF
No. 87 Squadron RAF was an aircraft squadron of the Royal Air Force during the First World War and Second World War.-World War I:87 Squadron Royal Flying Corps was first formed on 1 September 1917 at Upavon from elements of the Central Flying School...
and placed under the command of Flight Lieutenant D E Turner. The squadron was based at RAF Debden
RAF Debden
RAF Debden is a former RAF airfield in England. The field is located 3 miles SE of Saffron Walden and approximately 1 mile north of the village of Debden in North Essex.-RAF Fighter Command:...
in Essex, and commenced training using the Gloster Gladiator
Gloster Gladiator
The Gloster Gladiator was a British-built biplane fighter. It was used by the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy and was exported to a number of other air forces during the late 1930s. It was the RAF's last biplane fighter aircraft and was rendered obsolete by newer monoplane designs even as it...
(the RAF's last biplane fighter). On 4 September the first Hawker Hurricane
Hawker Hurricane
The Hawker Hurricane is a British single-seat fighter aircraft that was designed and predominantly built by Hawker Aircraft Ltd for the Royal Air Force...
s began arriving in numbers.
The war clouds began to darken the horizon once again, and another trip to France was beckoning for the young men and their Hurricane fighters. No. 85 Squadron received the signal ordering its immediate mobilisation on 23 August 1939, the aircraft making up both "A" and "B" Flights were kept at a state of constant readiness, by 1 September the squadron had completed its preparation for the impending move to France. On the outbreak of the Second World War, the squadron moved its 16 Hurricanes to Boos as part of the Air Component of the British Expeditionary Force
British Expeditionary Force (World War II)
The British Expeditionary Force was the British force in Europe from 1939–1940 during the Second World War. Commanded by General Lord Gort, the BEF constituted one-tenth of the defending Allied force....
(BEF) 60th Fighter Wing. Their primary role was to give support to the Fairey Battle
Fairey Battle
The Fairey Battle was a British single-engine light bomber built by the Fairey Aviation Company in the late 1930s for the Royal Air Force. The Battle was powered by the same Rolls-Royce Merlin piston engine that gave contemporary British fighters high performance; however, the Battle was weighed...
and Bristol Blenheim
Bristol Blenheim
The Bristol Blenheim was a British light bomber aircraft designed and built by the Bristol Aeroplane Company that was used extensively in the early days of the Second World War. It was adapted as an interim long-range and night fighter, pending the availability of the Beaufighter...
units deployed around Rheims, and to provide vital air defence cover for their bases. Initial sorties however involved patrols over the English Channel
English Channel
The English Channel , often referred to simply as the Channel, is an arm of the Atlantic Ocean that separates southern England from northern France, and joins the North Sea to the Atlantic. It is about long and varies in width from at its widest to in the Strait of Dover...
, and a move to Merville was instigated in late September. By 1 November 1939, another move saw the squadron based at Lille Seclin, however to maintain its patrols over the Channel sections were detached to Le Touquet and Saint-Inglevert
Saint-Inglevert
Saint-Inglevert is a commune in the Pas-de-Calais department in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of France.-Geography:Saint-inglevert is situated some north of Boulogne, at the junction of the D244 road with the A16 autoroute.-Population:...
. During one such patrol over the Boulogne
Boulogne-sur-Mer
-Road:* Metropolitan bus services are operated by the TCRB* Coach services to Calais and Dunkerque* A16 motorway-Rail:* The main railway station is Gare de Boulogne-Ville and located in the south of the city....
area, the squadron scored its first victory of World War II when Flight Lieutenant R.H.A. Lee attacked a Heinkel He 111
Heinkel He 111
The Heinkel He 111 was a German aircraft designed by Siegfried and Walter Günter in the early 1930s in violation of the Treaty of Versailles. Often described as a "Wolf in sheep's clothing", it masqueraded as a transport aircraft, but its purpose was to provide the Luftwaffe with a fast medium...
which crashed into the Channel, exploding on impact.
December 1939 saw a Royal visit from his Majesty the King accompanied by the Duke of Gloucester
Duke of Gloucester
Duke of Gloucester is a British royal title , often conferred on one of the sons of the reigning monarch. The first four creations were in the Peerage of England, the next in the Peerage of Great Britain, and the last in the Peerage of the United Kingdom; this current creation carries with it the...
and Viscount Lord Gort. The onset of winter proved to be an additional challenge as bitterly cold weather prevented flying, caused damage to aircraft and took its toll on the health of the airmen who were living in fairly primitive conditions. When the German invasion (Blitzkrieg) commenced in May 1940, 85 Squadron found itself locked in a bitter contest with the Luftwaffe
Luftwaffe
Luftwaffe is a generic German term for an air force. It is also the official name for two of the four historic German air forces, the Wehrmacht air arm founded in 1935 and disbanded in 1946; and the current Bundeswehr air arm founded in 1956....
, and with attacks on its aerodromes commonplace there was no respite from operations. In an eleven day period the squadron had accounted for a confirmed total of 90 enemy aircraft; there were many more claims that could not be substantiated. The final sorties saw the squadron giving fighter cover to the Allied armies until its bases were finally overrun and the three remaining aircraft retired to the UK. During the intense battles over France, the squadron lost seventeen pilots; two killed, six wounded and nine missing, this figure included their new CO, Squadron Leader Peacock but had once again had acquitted itself well in the face of many adversities.
The squadron re-equipped and resumed full operations early in June 1940. After taking part in the first half of the Battle of Britain
Battle of Britain
The Battle of Britain is the name given to the World War II air campaign waged by the German Air Force against the United Kingdom during the summer and autumn of 1940...
over southern England, the squadron moved to Yorkshire
Yorkshire
Yorkshire is a historic county of northern England and the largest in the United Kingdom. Because of its great size in comparison to other English counties, functions have been increasingly undertaken over time by its subdivisions, which have also been subject to periodic reform...
in September, and in October following a change in role commenced night fighter
Night fighter
A night fighter is a fighter aircraft adapted for use at night or in other times of bad visibility...
patrols. For the remainder of the Second World War, No. 85 Squadron continued its nocturnal pursuit of intercepting enemy raiders, it had a brief period providing Bomber Support as part of No. 100 Group RAF
No. 100 Group RAF
No. 100 Group was a special duties group within RAF Bomber Command.It was formed on 11 November 1943 to consolidate the increasingly complex business of electronic warfare and countermeasures within one organisation. The group was responsible for the development, operational trial and use of...
and even took part in the famous anti-diver patrols intercepting V1 flying bombs.
Entering the jet age
Gloster Meteor
The Gloster Meteor was the first British jet fighter and the Allies' first operational jet. It first flew in 1943 and commenced operations on 27 July 1944 with 616 Squadron of the Royal Air Force...
, Gloster Javelin
Gloster Javelin
The Gloster Javelin was an "all-weather" interceptor aircraft that served with Britain's Royal Air Force in the late 1950s and most of the 1960s...
and English Electric Canberra
English Electric Canberra
The English Electric Canberra is a first-generation jet-powered light bomber manufactured in large numbers through the 1950s. The Canberra could fly at a higher altitude than any other bomber through the 1950s and set a world altitude record of 70,310 ft in 1957...
. In its final reformation on 19 December 1975, No. 85 Squadron was a Bristol Bloodhound Mark II surface to air missile unit; operating from several key bases in the United Kingdom and headquartered at RAF West Raynham
RAF West Raynham
RAF West Raynham was a Royal Air Force station located west of the village of West Raynham in Norfolk, England. It opened in the 1930s and closed in 1994. During the Second World War, RAF Bomber Command operations from RAF West Raynham claimed 86 aircraft. The site was sold by the Ministry of...
in Norfolk. The squadron continued to play a significant part in Air Defence operations as part of 11 Group RAF Strike Command
RAF Strike Command
The Royal Air Force's Strike Command was the military formation which controlled the majority of the United Kingdom's bomber and fighter aircraft from 1968 until 2007: it was merged with Personnel and Training Command to form the single Air Command. It latterly consisted of two formations - No. 1...
until the 1990s. The collapse of the Warsaw Pact
Warsaw Pact
The Warsaw Treaty Organization of Friendship, Cooperation, and Mutual Assistance , or more commonly referred to as the Warsaw Pact, was a mutual defense treaty subscribed to by eight communist states in Eastern Europe...
and the end of the Cold War
Cold War
The Cold War was the continuing state from roughly 1946 to 1991 of political conflict, military tension, proxy wars, and economic competition between the Communist World—primarily the Soviet Union and its satellite states and allies—and the powers of the Western world, primarily the United States...
period heralded wide sweeping changes in the United Kingdom's Air Defence needs. 85 Squadron was disbanded on 10 July 1991 and the Standard bearing the squadron's battle honour
Battle honour
A battle honour is an award of a right by a government or sovereign to a military unit to emblazon the name of a battle or operation on its flags , uniforms or other accessories where ornamentation is possible....
s was interred and is in the safe keeping of Ely Cathedral
Ely Cathedral
Ely Cathedral is the principal church of the Diocese of Ely, in Cambridgeshire, England, and is the seat of the Bishop of Ely and a suffragan bishop, the Bishop of Huntingdon...
.
2007 marked the 90th Anniversary of No. 85 Squadron, its Association met in June to celebrate the rich history gained throughout the many years of service to the Nation and the Crown.
No. 85 Squadron reformed as 85 (Reserve) Squadron in 2008, based at RAF Church Fenton
RAF Church Fenton
RAF Church Fenton is a Royal Air Force airfield at Church Fenton in North Yorkshire, England.- History :Plans for a new airfield adjacent to the village of Church Fenton were announced in June 1935, it was subject to protest from the local population particularly concerning the waste of valuable...
, teaching Elementary Flying Training in the Grob Tutor
Grob G 115
|- Incidents and Accidents :*In February 2009, two RAF Tutors operating air experience flights from RAF St Athan collided in mid-air. All four occupants were killed, a pilot and a female Air Training Corps cadet in each aircraft. The two cadets killed were cousins Nikkita Marie Walters, 13, and...
. In August 2011, the squadron was disbanded due to the reductions in the RAF and Fleet Air Arm
Fleet Air Arm
The Fleet Air Arm is the branch of the British Royal Navy responsible for the operation of naval aircraft. The Fleet Air Arm currently operates the AgustaWestland Merlin, Westland Sea King and Westland Lynx helicopters...
following the 2010 Strategic Defence and Security Review
Strategic Defence and Security Review
The Strategic Defence and Security Review was announced by the newly formed Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition government of the United Kingdom in May 2010, and published on 19 October 2010...
.
Commanding officers
| From | To | Name |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 1917 | Mar 1918 | Maj. R.A. Archer |
| Mar 1918 | Jun 1918 | Maj. W.A. Bishop Billy Bishop Air Marshal William Avery "Billy" Bishop VC, CB, DSO & Bar, MC, DFC, ED was a Canadian First World War flying ace, officially credited with 72 victories, making him the top Canadian ace, and according to some sources, the top ace of the British Empire.-Early life:Bishop was born in Owen Sound,... , VC Victoria Cross The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories.... , DSO Distinguished Service Order The Distinguished Service Order is a military decoration of the United Kingdom, and formerly of other parts of the British Commonwealth and Empire, awarded for meritorious or distinguished service by officers of the armed forces during wartime, typically in actual combat.Instituted on 6 September... & Bar, MC Military Cross The Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries.... , DFC Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom) The Distinguished Flying Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force and other services, and formerly to officers of other Commonwealth countries, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against... |
| Jun 1918 | Aug 1918 | Maj. E. Mannock Edward Mannock Major Edward Corringham "Mick" Mannock VC, DSO and Two Bars, MC & Bar was a British First World War flying ace. Mannock was probably born in Ireland, though of English and Scottish parentage.... , VC Victoria Cross The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories.... , DSO Distinguished Service Order The Distinguished Service Order is a military decoration of the United Kingdom, and formerly of other parts of the British Commonwealth and Empire, awarded for meritorious or distinguished service by officers of the armed forces during wartime, typically in actual combat.Instituted on 6 September... and two Bars, MC & Bar |
| Aug 1918 | Jan 1919 | Maj. C.M. Crowe |
| Jan 1919 | Feb 1919 | Maj. J.O. Leach |
| Jun 1938 | Aug 1938 | F/Lt. D.E. Turner |
| Aug 1938 | Nov 1938 | F/Lt. A.C.P. Carver |
| Nov 1938 | Jan 1940 | S/Ldr. D.F.W. Atcherley |
| Jan 1940 | May 1940 | S/Ldr. J.O.W. Oliver, DSO, DFC, CB |
| May 1940 | May 1940 | S/Ldr. M. Peacock |
| May 1940 | Jun 1941 | S/Ldr. P. Townsend, CVO Royal Victorian Order The Royal Victorian Order is a dynastic order of knighthood and a house order of chivalry recognising distinguished personal service to the order's Sovereign, the reigning monarch of the Commonwealth realms, any members of her family, or any of her viceroys... , DSO Distinguished Service Order The Distinguished Service Order is a military decoration of the United Kingdom, and formerly of other parts of the British Commonwealth and Empire, awarded for meritorious or distinguished service by officers of the armed forces during wartime, typically in actual combat.Instituted on 6 September... , DFC and Bar Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom) The Distinguished Flying Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force and other services, and formerly to officers of other Commonwealth countries, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against... |
| Jun 1941 | Oct 1941 | W/Cdr. A.T.D. Saunders |
| Nov 1941 | May 1942 | W/Cdr. R.K. Hamblin |
| May 1942 | Jan 1943 | W/Cdr. G.L. Raphael, DFC |
| Jan 1943 | Mar 1944 | W/Cdr. J. Cunningham, DSO, DFC |
| Mar 1944 | Oct 1944 | W/Cdr. C.M. Miller, DFC |
| Oct 1944 | Jan 1945 | W/Cdr. F.S. Gonsalves, DFC |
| Jan 1945 | 1948 | W/Cdr. W.K. Davison |
| 1948 | S/Ldr. Gardner | |
| Oct 1958 | W/Cdr. L.G. Martin | |
| Nov 1958 | Mar 1960 | W/Cdr. G.A. Martin, DFC, AFC Air Force Cross (United Kingdom) The Air Force Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the United Kingdom Armed Forces, and formerly also to officers of the other Commonwealth countries, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying, though not in active operations against the enemy"... |
| Mar 1960 | Dec 1961 | W/Cdr. S.J. Perkins, AFC |
| Dec 1961 | W/Cdr. D.A.P. Saunders-Davies | |
| 2008 | 2011 | Sqn Ldr A. Paul |