65 “East India” Squadron

Vi et Armis
(Force of Arms)

65 Squadron was formed on August 1st 1916 and commenced operational flying with Sopwith Camels over the Western Front in October 1917. In 1918, 65 Squadron was engaged in ground attack operations in support of British troops as well as well as intercepting german aircraft and escorting allied bombers. After World War I ended 65 Squadron was disbanded on 25th October 1919.

65 Squadron was reformed on August 1st 1934 and immediately commenced operational flying from RAF Hornchurch. At this time 65 Squadron was equipped with the Hawker Demon and until the mid 1930's provided a pool of flyers for service with the Royal Air Force overseas. 65 Squadron flyers were therefore posted to such far flung postings as India, Ethiopia and Iraq.

By 1936 65 Squadron had been joined by a number of pilots, including Robert Stanford Tuck, who were to make a name for themselves as aces during World War II. In 1936 Gloster Gauntlets replaced the hawker Demon and in 1937 65 Squadron converted to the Gloster Gladiator.

In March 1939 65 Squadron was one of the first to be equipped with the Spitfire II and first saw action with these in June 1940 in the skies over Dunkirk. 65 Squadron fought from RAF Hornchurch during the battle of Britain but was withdrawn to refit in August 1940. During the Battle of Briatin 65 Squadron accounted for at least 10 enemy aircraft but itself lost 15 Spitfires whilst flying from RAF Hornchurch..

65 Squadron returned to Hornchurch in January 1941 to conduct fighter sweeps over France. In October 1941, 65 Squadron was equipped with the new Spitfire V and continued to spend periods conducting sweeps over France from RAF Hornchurch between which it was rested as an air defence squadron in Lincolnshire, Scotland and Cornwall. In December 1943, 65 Squadron was equipped with the new Mustang fighter bomber and acted in a ground support and attack role during the campaign in Normandy. From September 1944, 65 Squadron flew long range escort missions from east Anglia in support of daylight bombing raids on Germany and provided cover for maritime strikes off Norway.

In May 1945 65 Squadron was equipped with Spitfire IX's and moved to RAF Duxford. The Squadron went on to fly De Havilland Hornets and finally Gloster Meteor Jets until it was disbanded in 1961. Between 1964 and 1970 65 Squadron was re-founded to serve as an Anti Aircraft Missile unit.

Pilots Killed while flying with 65 Squadron during the Battle of Britain whilst flying from RAF Hornchurch:

P/O. F.S Gregory 13/08/1940
F/O. F. Gruszka 18/08/1940
Sgt. M. Keymer 22/08/1940
Sgt. D.I Kirton 08/08/1940
F/Sgt. N.T Phillips 08/08/1940
P/O. L.L Pyman 16/08/1940
S/Ldr. H.C Sawyer 02/08/1940

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264 “Madras Presidency” Squadron

We Defy!

264 Squadron was originally raised in August 1918 as a seaplane squadron based on Crete. The Squadron flew anti submarine patrols until the end of World War I but was disbanded in March 1919.

264 Squadron was reformed on October 39th 1939 and was equipped with the two seat, turret armed fighter the Boulton Paul Defiant, first seeing action in the Spring of 1940. The Defiant's limitations in daylight operations were soon laid bare although 264 Squadron had some success over Dunkirk and later evolved a system of defensive circles whilst fighting from Hornchurch during the Battle of Britain. Even so losses were very high, especially on 24th and 28th August, and the Squadron was quickly withdrawn from the Battle. By the end of the Battle, whilst at RAF Hornchurch, 264 Squadron had accounted for at least 7 enemy aircraft, but for the loss of 10 of its own aircraft.

264 Squadron was re-deployed as a night fighter unit and in April 1941 was one of the first squadrons to be equipped with the “Wooden Wonder” the DeHavilland Mosquito. From January 1943 264 Squadron also began to launch night intruder sorties over occupied Europe as well as flying defensive night fighter patrols.

In May 1944 264 Squadron joined the 2nd Tactical Air Force and flew intruder and ground attack sorties in support of the Normandy landings. After Normandy, 264 Squadron continued offensive operations over the Low Countries and Germany until the end of World War II.

264 Squadron was disbanded in October 1945 but re-surfaced as the re numbered 125 squadron flying Mosquitos and later Meteors an until 1957. In December 1958 264 Squadron became an Anti Aircraft Missile unit and was the first to be armed with the Bloodhound interceptor missile. Final disbandment came on 30th November 1962.

Pilots and air gunners of 264 Squadron killed in action whilst flying from RAF Hornchurch during the Battle of Britain.

F/Lt. R.C.V. Ash 28/08/1940
Sgt B. Baker 02/09/1940
Sgt. A. Berry. 24/08/1940
S/Ldr. P.A hunter. 24/08/1940
P/O. C.E Johnson 28/08/1940
P/O. J.T. Jones 24/08/1940
P/O. P.L Kenner. 28/08/1940
P/O. F.H King. 24/08/1940
Sgt. W.H Machin. 24/08/1940
Sgt. W. Maxwell 26/08/1940
P/O. W. Ponting. 24/08/1940
F/O. I.G Shaw 24/08/1940
Sgt. R.C Turner. 28/08/1940
P/O. D. Whitley 28/08/1940

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266 “Rhodesia” Squadron

Hlabezulu (Stabber of the Sky)

266 Squadron was originally formed in September 1918 as a seaplane squadron flying anti-submarine patrols in the Aegean but was disbanded only a year later.

266 Squadron was reformed on October 30th 1939 and on completing training was equipped with Spitfire Mk I/II's. 266 Squadron first saw action against the Luftwaffe in the skies over Dunkirk and was one of the Squadrons to be rotated through RAF Hornchurch during height of the Battle of Britain. During the Battle of Britain 266 squadron was credited, whilst at RAF Hornchurch, with the destruction of 19 German aircraft for the loss of 15 of its own Spitfires.

Following its withdrawal from the Battle of Britain, 266 Squadron was based in Linolnshire until late 1942. During this period the Squadron converted to the Hawker Typhoon and in October moved to the West Country to conduct low level attacks on the French coast.

in 1943, 266 Squadron joined the 2nd Tactical Air Force in the lead up to the Normandy landings and as such conducted low level fighter sweeps and ground attacks over France, the Low Countries and Germany until the end of the war in Europe.

266 Squadron was disbanded in July 1945 but was reconstituted as the re-numbered 234 Squadron equipped with Gloster Meteor jets from September 1946 to February 1949. 266 Squadron was again reformed in July 1952 when it was equipped with De Havilland Vampire jets and then Venoms before disbanding again in November 1953. Between the end of 1959 and mid 1962 266 squadron was again reformed as a Bloodhound missile equipped anti aircraft unit. Final disbandment came on June 30th 1962.

266 Squadron Pilots killed in action whilst serving at RAF Hornchurch during the Battle of Britain:

P/O. N.G. Bowen. 16/08/1940
P/O. F.W Cale. 15/08/1940
Sub/Lt H.L Greenshields 16/08/1940
Sgt. F.B. Hawley. 15/08/1940
S/Ldr. R.L. Wilkinson 16/08/1940

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600 “City of London Auxiliary” Squadron

Praeter Sescentos

(More than Six Hundred)

600 Squadron was formed as an Auxiliary Squadron on 14th October 1925. As an Auxiliary Squadron the airmen before the war were mainly drawn from well to do families and became, like many of the Auxiliary squadrons a sort of Gentleman's Flying Club. This changed during the war.

Originally 600 Squadron was equipped with ageing DH 9A's and Avro 504's but in 1929 was equipped with the new Westland Wapti in preparation for being designated a bomber squadron. In 1934, 600 Squadron was re-designated as a Fighter Squadron and was equipped with the Hawker Demon.

In December 1939, 600 Squadron converted to the Bristol Blenheim and moved to RAF Hornchurch where early trials with the Mk3 AI airborne radar began in preparation for the Squadron becoming a night fighter unit.

During May 1940, Blenheims of 600 Squadron flew some sorties over the low countries but its deficiencies as a day fighter were obvious so it was returned to night fighting duties. In September 1940, 600 squadron began to receive the new Bristol Beaufighter just before its move to Yorkshire.

600 Squadron remained as a night air defence unit throughout the remainder of the war based in Yorkshire, South West England and finally flying night cover in the Mediterranean theatre. 600 Squadron aslo served in the night intruder role based from Malta. The Squadron was re-equipped with DeHavilland Mosquitos in January 1945 but was disbanded in August 1945.

600 Squadron was reformed as a day Auxiliary fighter squadron in May 1946 and was equipped with Spitfires. The Squadron was converted to Gloster Meteors in 1950 and continued to fly these until thye Auxiliary Air Force was disbanded in 1957.

600 Squadron air crew killed in action during the Battle of Britain whilst flying from RAF Hornchurch.:

F/O . Grice 08/08/1940
Sgt. F.J. Keast 08/08/1940
AC1. Warren. 08/08/1940

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603 “City of Edinburgh Auxiliary” Squadron

Gin Ye Daur

(If You Dare)

603 Squadron was formed as an Auxiliary Squadron on 14th October 1925. As an Auxiliary Squadron the airmen were, before World War II, mainly drawn from well to do families and became, like many of the Auxiliary squadrons a sort of Gentleman's Flying Club. This changed during the war.

Originally 603 Squadron was equipped with ageing DH 9A's and Avro 504's but in 1929 was equipped with the new Westland Wapti in preparation for being designated a bomber squadron. In 1934, 603 Squadron was re- equipped with the Hawker Hart. In 1938 603 Squadron was re-designated along with all remaining Auxiliary Squadrons as a Fighter Squadron and was equipped with the Gloster Gladiator.

Just after the outbreak of World War II 603 Squadron converted to the Spitfire and on 16th October 1939, whilst still based in Scotland, claimed the first German plane to be shot down over Britain during the war. In August 1940, 603 Squadron was moved south to RAF Hornchurch and into the heat of the Battle of Britain. At this time 603 Squadron included many pilots who were to become household names including Gerald “Stapme” Stapleton and Richard Hillary. In the desperate days of the Battle of Britain 603 Squadron was credited with 58 German aircraft destroyed but at a loss of 30 of their own Spitfires, whilst at RAF Hornchurch, a testament to the ferocity of the fighting it had been involved in.

In early 1941, 603 Squadron returned to RAF Hornchurch to participate in fighter sweeps over Northern France. In early 1942 the squadron moved to the Mediterranean where it was involved in the desperate air battles to defend Malta. After this the Squadron required rest and finally moved to Egypt where it was re-equipped with the Bristol Beaufighter. To conduct maritime and coastal strikes over the eastern Mediterranean and Aegean.

603 Squadron returned to Britain in December 1944 and was re-equipped again with Spitfires to undertake fighter sweeps over the Low Countries until the end of the War. In August 1945, 603 Squadron was disbanded but was reformed again in May 1946 flying Spitfires until they were replaced with DeHavilland Vampires in 1951. 603 squadron like all the remaining Auxiliary Squadrons was finally disbanded in March 1957.

603 Squadron Pilots killed in action whilst serving at RAF Hornchurch during the Battle of Britain:

P/O. J.V. Benson 28/08/1940
P/O. P.M. Cardell 27/09/1940
F/Lt J.L.G. Cunningham. 28/08/1940
P/O. R.B. Dewey. 27/10/1940
F/O. C.W Goldsmith. 28/10/1940
P/O. P. Howes. 18/09/1940
P/O. D.K. MacDonald. 28/08/1940
F/Lt H.K. MacDonald 28/09/1940
P/O. H.K.F. Matthews. 07/10/1940
P/O. A.P Pease. 15/09/1940
F/Lt. F.W Rushmer. 05/09/1940
F/O. R.M Waterston. 31/08/1940

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54 Squadron

Audax Omnia Perpeti

(Boldness to Endure Anything)

54 Squadron was first formed in May 1916 and to begin with acted as a Home Defence Squadron armed with the BE2c but moved to Flanders later in the year. By 1918, 54 Squadron was flying Sopwith Camels and participated in ground support missions as well as acting as fighters and bomber escorts until the end of World War I. In late 1919 54 Squadron was disbanded.

In 1930, 54 Squadron was reformed at RAF Hornchurch as a fighter Squadron and equipped with Armstrong Whitworth Siskins. During the 1930's 54 Squadron flew a succession of bi-plane fighters including the Bristol Bulldog, Gloster gamecock, Gloster Gauntlet and Gloster Gladiator before becoming in March 1939 one of the first Squadrons to be equipped with the Spitfire. By this time the Squadron was already home to a number of pilots, including Alan “Al” Deere, who would make names for themselves as aces during World War II.

Whilst at RAF Hornchurch, 54 Squadron was very heavily engaged during the air fighting over Dunkirk where Al Deer became the first Spitfire pilot to down a Messerschmitt Bf 109. 54 Squadron was also at the forefront of the air fighting during the Battle of Britain during which it could claim, whilst at RAF Hornchurch, 34 German aircraft destroyed for the loss of 20 of its own aircraft.

During 1941, 54 Squadron participated in fighter sweeps over occupied France and the Low Countries as well as providing cover for coastal convoys. In August 1942, 54 Squadron was shipped to Australia where it formed the basis of the air defences for the City of Darwen until the end of the Second World War.

In November 1945, 54 Squadron was reformed in Britain as a ground attack squadron equipped with the Hawker Tempest. 54 Squadron has continued to serve as a ground attack squadron until the present day flying De Havilland Vampires between 1948 and 1955, Hawker Hunters between 1955 and 1969, McDonald Douglas F4 Phantoms between 1969 and 1974 and Specat Jaguars from 1974 until it was disbanded as an operational squadron in 2005.

54 Squadron is now a training and conversion Squadron based at RAF Waddingto and is tasked with training the crews of Early Warning and Air Battle Direction aircraft such as the Nimrod and E-3D Sentry.

54 Squadron pilots killed in action during the Battle of Britain whilst flying from RAF Hornchurch:

F/O. J.L Allen. 24/07/1940
Sgt. G.R. Collet. 22/08/1940
P/O. A. Finnie. 25/07/1940
F/Lt. B.H. Way. 25/07/1940

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222 “Natal” Squadron

19 German aircraft destroyed during Battle of Britain for 15 Spitfire's destroyed whilst serving at RAF Hornchurch.

222 Squadron pilots killed in action during the Battle of Britain whilst flying from RAF Hornchurch:

Sgt. S. Baxter. 14/09/1940
P/O. J.W. Broadhurst. 07/10/1940
F/O. J.W. Cutts. 04/09/1940
P/O. A.E. Davies. 30/10/1940
P/O. H.P.M Edridge. 30/10/1940
Sgt. J.I. Johnson. 30/08/1940
Sgt. J.M. Ramshaw. 04/09/1940
Sgt. E. Scott. 27/09/1940
P/O. H.L Whitbread. 20/09/1940

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74 “Tiger” Squadron

I Fear No Man

74 Squadron was originally formed in July 1917 and served on the western front equipped with SE5a's until the end of World War I. During this period it became one of the highest scoring British fighter squadrons and counted amongst its pilots the Ace, Edward Mannock who scored 35 of his 73 Victories whilst flying with the Squadron. 74 Squadron was disbanded in July 1919.

74 Squadron was re-formed in September 1935 to serve out of Malta during the Abyssinian crisis flying Hawker Demons. In July 1936, 74 Squadron returned to Britain and took up post at RAF Hornchurch where it was to remain until after the Battle of Britain. In 1937, 74 Squadron converted to Gloster Gauntlets and in February 1939 became one of the first squadrons to be equipped with the Spitfire. By this date 74 Squadron already counted amongst its pilots a number of men, including Adolph “Sailor” Malan who would make names for themselves as aces during World War II.

Within days of the beginning of the war, 74 Squadron had the unhappy distinction of being involved in the Battle of Barking Creek during which on of its flights shot down two RAF Hurricanes killing one of the pilots. It was a bad start.

Between September 1939 and May 1940, in the period known as the Phoney War, 74 Squadron claimed a number of German bombers shot down. It was, however, in May 1940 in the skies over Dunkirk that 74 Squadron had its true baptism of fire when it was heavily engaged covering the Dunkirk evacuation. The Squadron was also in the forefront of the Battle of Britain during which it could claim 23 enemy aircraft destroyed for the loss of 11 of its own Spitfires whilst at RAF Hornchurch.

74 Squadron continued to serve in Britain often taking part in Fighter sweeps over occupied Europe until April 1942 when it was sent as a maintenance cadre to the Middle East. In December 1942, 74 Squadron was equipped with Hurricane IIC attack aircraft and served in Iran and Egypt before converting to Spitfire Mk V's and returning to England. 74 Squadron ended the war equipped with the Spitfire IX and XIV supporting Allied operations over the Low countries and Germany.

After World War II, 74 Squadron was equipped with Gloster Meteors which it continued to fly until 1957 when they converted to the Hawker Hunter. In 1959 74 Squadron converted to the English Electric Lightning and served in Scotland and Singapore until disbandment in 1966.

74 Squadron was reformed again in 1984 flying F4 Phantoms until converting to a Reserve Training Squadron flying Hawk Jets in 1992. Final disbandment came in 2000.

74 Squadron Pilots killed in action during the Battle of Britain whilst flying from RAF Hornchurch.:

P/O. D.G. Cobden. 11/08/1940
Sgt. F.W. Ely. 31/07/1940
P/O. H.R. Gunn. 31/07/1940
P/O. D.N.E. Smith. 11/08/1940
P/O. J.H.R. Young 28/07/1940

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41 Squadron

Seek and Destroy

45 Enemy aircraft destroyed during Battle of Britain whilst flying from RAF Hornchurch for loss of 32 Spitfires.

41 Squadron Pilots killed in action during whilst flying from RAFD Hornchurch during the Battle of Britain.

F/O. J.G. Boyle. 28/09/1940
P/O. H.H. Chalder. 10/11/1940
F/O. D.R. Gamblen. 29/07/1940
Sgt. L.A. Garvey. 30/10/1940
S/Ldr. H.R.L. Hood. 05/09/1940
P/O. G.A Langley. 15/09/1940
P/O. J.G. Lecky. 11/10/1940
Sgt. P.D. Lloyd. 15/10/1940
F/O. D.H. O'Neill. 11/10/1940
F/O. W.J.M. Scott. 08/09/1940
F/Lt J.T. Webster. 05/09/1940

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