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HQ No 216 Group Personnel, locations and units

[Dec 1943 | Jun 1944 | Jun 1945 | Jul 1945 | Aug 1945 | Sep 1945 | Jul 1946 | Aug 1946]

This Group was formed on 21 May 1942 within Middle East Command as No 216 (Ferry) Group at Heliopolis.  On 9 September it absorbed Transport and Ferry Group becoming No 216 (Transport and Ferry) Group and on 2 February 1943 its Advanced HQ moved to Marble Arch where it was transferred to the the newly created Transport Command on 25 March 1943.

December 1943

Location Command Controlled
Heliopolis Transport Command

  • Unable to list units at present

 

Rank Name Date Notes
A/Cdre Whitney W Straight 10 Sep 1942 Air Officer Commanding, MC, DFC
Air Staff
Wg Cdr Dennis F Rixson  1 Jan 1943 later A/Cdre
Sqn Ldr C G Cradock-Watson 20 Nov 1942  
Sqn Ldr J Addison 12 Dec 1942  
Sqn Ldr A G Leuchars  6 Feb 1943  
Administrative Staff
Sqn Ldr E R Smouha 20 Nov 1942  
Sqn Ldr P A Fauquet-Lemaitre 20 Nov 1942  
Sqn Ldr A R Cooper 20 Nov 1942 Senior Personnel Staff Officer
Staffs of the Services
Navigation
Sqn Ldr J R Neill 12 Nov 1942  
Engineer
Wg Cdr William H Husbands 15 Dec 1942 later A/Cdre
Sqn Ldr W A Booth 21 May 1942  
Signals
Sqn Ldr D G Viney 21 May 1942  
Equipment
Sqn Ldr E A Sadler  2 Mar 1943  
Accountant
Wg Cdr F W Judge 26 Mar 1943  
Medical
Sqn Ldr D G Evans 14 Dec 1942 MB, BCh

Source - December 1943 Confidential Air Force List

June 1944

Location Command Controlled
Heliopolis Transport Command

Wings: -

  • No 114 Wing - Accra

  • No 115 Wing - Wadi Seidna

  • No 151 Wing -Habbaniya

  • No 249 Wing - Naples

  • No 282 Wing - Heliopolis

  • No 284 Wing - Algiers

Stations: -

  • SHQ RAF Castel Benito

  • SHQ RAF Catania

  • SHQ RAF Cairo West

  • SHQ RAF Rabat Sale

  • SHQ RAF Wadi Saidna

Squadrons: -

  • No 216 Squadron

  • No 267 Squadron

Other Units: -

  • No 20 Air Despatch & Reception Unit - Heliopolis

  • No 21 Air Despatch & Reception Unit - Cairo West

  • No 22 Air Despatch & Reception Unit - Castel Benito

  • No 23 Air Despatch & Reception Unit - Catania

  • No 24 Air Despatch & Reception Unit - Pomigliano

  • No 25 Air Despatch & Reception Unit - Bari

  • No 26 Air Despatch & Reception Unit - Alghero

  • No 28 Air Despatch & Reception Unit - Rabat Sale

  • No 29 Air Despatch & Reception Unit - Maison Blanche

  • No 30 Air Despatch & Reception Unit - Catania

  • No 31 Air Despatch & Reception Unit - Luqa

  • No 32 Air Despatch & Reception Unit - Lydda

  • No 33 Air Despatch & Reception Unit - Habbaniya

  • No 34 Air Despatch & Reception Unit - Shaibah

  • No 35 Air Despatch & Reception Unit - Bahrein

  • No 2 Ferry Control Unit - Wadi Saidna

  • No 1 Air Despatch Unit  (ME) - Heliopolis

  • No 2 Air Despatch Unit  (ME) - Gebel Hamzi

  • No 3 Air Despatch Unit  (ME) - Oujda

  • No 4 Air Despatch Unit  (ME) - Catania

  • Air Booking Centre - Cairo

 

Rank Name Date Notes
A/Cdre Whitney W Straight 10 Sep 1942 Air Officer Commanding, MC, DFC
Air Staff
Gp Capt John Worrall  9 Mar 1944 Senior Air Staff Officer, later AVM
Wg Cdr Dennis F Rixson  1 Jan 1943 later A/Cdre
Wg Cdr A F Powell 13 Apr 1943  
Lt Col A F S Clarke 15 Jan 1943  
Wg Cdr M J Earle 16 Sep 1943  
Wg Cdr E C A Wing  8 Dec 1942  
Wg Cdr R M Blennerhassett  7 Mar 1944 AFC
Sqn Ldr W Townson 21 Dec 1943  
Sqn Ldr G G McLannahan 18 Oct 1943  
Administrative Staff
Gp Capt W R Cox 23 Jan 1943 Senior Officer i/c Administration
Wg Cdr W P Harvey  4 Feb 1944  
Wg Cdr F A Pumphrey  4 Feb 1944 Organisation
Wg Cdr A R Cooper 20 Nov 1942 Senior Personnel Staff Officer
Wg Cdr R G Matheson  8 Aug 1943  
Sqn Ldr R McLean 30 Mar 1943  
Sqn Ldr E J Gardner 16 Feb 1944  
Sqn Ldr L W Thackwell 10 Jan 1943  
Sqn Ldr L M Page 30 Apr 1943  
Staffs of the Services
Navigation
Sqn Ldr J R Neill 12 Nov 1942  
Engineer
Wg Cdr F Lord  3 Jan 1944  
Sqn Ldr W A Booth 21 May 1942  
Signals
Wg Cdr D G Viney 21 May 1942  
Sqn Ldr E N Swain 14 Dec 1943  
Sqn Ldr G V Lawrence  1 Feb 1944  
Equipment
Wg Cdr M J P de Froberville 16 Dec 1943  
Sqn Ldr G F Speight 28 May 1943  
Accountant
Wg Cdr F W Judge 26 Mar 1943  
Sqn Ldr E S Townsend 18 Dec 1943  
Medical
Wg Cdr J S Wilson 11 May 1943 MB, ChB
Sqn Ldr J L Trainer  6 Nov 1943 LRCP & S, LRFPS
Works
Mr T A K Wilson   AMICE, AMISE

Source - June 1944 Confidential Air Force List

June 1945

Location Command Controlled
Heliopolis Transport Command

  • Unable to list units at present

 

Rank Name Date Notes
A/Cdre Whitney W Straight 10 Sep 1942 Air Officer Commanding, MC, DFC
Air Staff
Gp Capt C Ryley   Senior Air Staff Officer
Wg Cdr A Watts-Williams 20 Feb 1945  
Wg Cdr G G McLannahan  1 Aug 1944  
Wg Cdr E C A Wing  8 Dec 1942  
Wg Cdr A E V Mathies 12 Apr 1945  
Wg Cdr F Harrison  1 Feb 1945  
Wg Cdr W P Copinger 17 Mar 1945  
Wg Cdr H J Oughton 10 Apr 1945  
Wg Cdr J E S Morton 14 Apr 1945  
Sqn Ldr D C Rustom 23 Sep 1944  
Sqn Ldr A J Blackwell 18 Feb 1944  
Sqn Ldr R C A Rich  8 Oct 1944  
Sqn Ldr Sir J  Kirkpatrick 10 Jun 1944  
Sqn Ldr W F Barnes  8 Feb 1945  
Sqn Ldr N P W Hancock 25 Feb 1945  
Sqn Ldr W F Tuckwell  1 Mar 1945  
Sqn Ldr S Hill  5 Dec 1944  
Sqn Ldr L J Brown   DFC
Sqn Ldr E Shearing 25 Aug 1943  
Sqn Ldr J E Tilston 10 Mar 1945  
Sqn Ldr E J Higham  5 Apr 1945  
Administrative Staff
Gp Capt W R Cox 23 Jan 1943 Senior Officer i/c Administration, MC, AFC
Gp Capt W P Harvey  4 Feb 1944  
Wg Cdr C S Watkinson 27 Jun 1944  
Wg Cdr L W Thackwell 10 Jan 1943 Senior Personnel Staff Officer
Wg Cdr J F V Sugars 12 Apr 1945  
Wg Cdr G C Noel Johnson  6 Oct 1944  
Sqn Ldr E J Gardner 16 Feb 1944  
Sqn Ldr L M Page 30 Apr 1943  
Sqn Ldr H Mills  3 Jul 1942  
Sqn Ldr L J Godding 31 Dec 1943  
Sqn Ldr J H Ligertwood  6 Nov 1944  
Sqn Ldr J H McDougall 13 Jan 1943  
Sqn Ldr L W Carson 22 Aug 1942  
Sqn Ldr L H V Scollick 15 Aug 1945  
Sqn Ldr R James  1 Mar 1945  
Staffs of the Services
Navigation
Wg Cdr J R Neill 12 Nov 1942  
Sqn Ldr R A Simpson 20 Feb 1945  
Engineer
Wg Cdr F Lord  3 Jan 1944  
Sqn Ldr R Bentley 15 Mar 1945  
Sqn Ldr A T Jupp 15 Mar 1945  
Signals
Wg Cdr E M Long 30 Jul 1944  
Sqn Ldr R J Mitchell 2 Jun 1944  
Maj G H Harvey 10 Nov 1944  
Equipment
Wg Cdr M J P de Froberville 16 Dec 1943  
Sqn Ldr L G Meech  2 Nov 1944  
Accountant
Wg Cdr J M Horsley  8 Dec 1944  
Sqn Ldr E S Townsend 18 Dec 1943  
Medical
Wg Cdr R L Scott   MB, ChB
Sqn Ldr K G Irving  8 Jul 1944 MRCS, LRCP
Works
Mr T A K Wilson  3 Mar 1944 AMICE, AMISE
Meteorological
Sqn Ldr G W Hurst    
Miscellaneous Appointment
Lt Col A F Stanley-Clark    

Source - June 1945 Confidential Air Force List

July 1945

Location Command Controlled
Heliopolis Transport Command See Orders of Battle Section

 

Rank Name Date Notes
AVM Lawrence Darvall 25 Jun 1945 Air Officer Commanding, CB, MC; later AM
Air Staff
Gp Capt C Ryley 18 Jan 1945 Senior Air Staff Officer
Wg Cdr G D Noel-Johnston  8 Oct 1944  
Wg Cdr A Watts-Williams 20 Feb 1945  
Wg Cdr G G McLannahan  1 Aug 1944  
Wg Cdr J E S Morton 14 Apr 1945  
Wg Cdr R C Warner 23 Apr 1945  
Sqn Ldr D C Rustom 23 Sep 1944  
Sqn Ldr R C A Rich  8 Oct 1944  
Sqn Ldr Sir J  Kirkpatrick 10 Jun 1944  
Sqn Ldr N P W Hancock 25 Feb 1945  
Sqn Ldr W F Tuckwell  1 Mar 1945  
Sqn Ldr E J Gardiner 16 Feb 1944  
Administrative Staff
Gp Capt W R Cox 23 Jan 1943 Senior Officer i/c Administration, MC, AFC
Gp Capt W P Harvey  4 Feb 1944  
Wg Cdr L W Thackwell 10 Jan 1943 Senior Personnel Staff Officer
Wg Cdr J F V Sugars 12 Apr 1945  
Wg Cdr G W P Davidson 28 Apr 1945  
Sqn Ldr L M Page 30 Apr 1943  
Sqn Ldr H Mills  3 Jul 1942  
Sqn Ldr L J Godding 31 Dec 1943  
Sqn Ldr J H Ligertwood  6 Nov 1944  
Sqn Ldr J H McDougall 13 Jan 1943  
Sqn Ldr L W Carson 22 Aug 1942  
Sqn Ldr L H V Scollick 15 Aug 1945  
Sqn Ldr R James  1 Mar 1945  
Sqn Ldr W Hill 25 Nov 1944  
Staffs of the Services
Navigation
Wg Cdr J R Neill 12 Nov 1942  
Sqn Ldr R A Simpson 20 Feb 1945  
Engineer
Wg Cdr F Lord  3 Jan 1944  
Sqn Ldr R Bentley 15 Mar 1945  
Sqn Ldr A T Jupp 15 Mar 1945  
Signals
Wg Cdr E M Long 30 Jul 1944  
Sqn Ldr R J Mitchell 2 Jun 1944  
Sqn Ldr L W Carson 22 Aug 1942  
Maj G H Harvey 10 Nov 1944  
Equipment
Wg Cdr M J P de Froberville 16 Dec 1943  
Sqn Ldr L G Meech  2 Nov 1944  
Accountant
Wg Cdr J M Horsley  8 Dec 1944  
Sqn Ldr E S Townsend 18 Dec 1943  
Medical
Wg Cdr R L Scott 15 Mar 1945 MB, ChB
Sqn Ldr R A Mitchell 28 May 1945 MB, ChB
Works
Mr T A K Wilson  3 Mar 1944 AMICE, AMISE
Meteorological
Sqn Ldr G W Hurst  2 Nov 1944  

Source - July 1945 Confidential Air Force List (AIR 10/3839)

August 1945

Location Command Controlled
Heliopolis Transport Command See Orders of Battle Section

 

Rank Name Date Notes
AVM Lawrence Darvall 25 Jun 1945 Air Officer Commanding, CB, MC; later AM
A/Cdre John Oliver 20 Jun 1945 Air Officer i/c Administration, AFC
Air Staff
Gp Capt C Ryley 18 Jan 1945 Senior Air Staff Officer
Wg Cdr G D Noel-Johnston  8 Oct 1944  
Wg Cdr A Watts-Williams 20 Feb 1945  
Wg Cdr G G McLannahan  1 Aug 1944  
Wg Cdr J E S Morton 14 Apr 1945  
Wg Cdr R C Warner 23 Apr 1945  
Wg Cdr H R Kirkman 21 May 1945  
Wg Cdr L S M Bailey 18 Jun 1945  
Wg Cdr W J V Branch 21 Jun 1945  
Sqn Ldr R C A Rich  8 Oct 1944  
Sqn Ldr Sir J  Kirkpatrick 10 Jun 1944  
Sqn Ldr N P W Hancock 25 Feb 1945  
Sqn Ldr W F Tuckwell  1 Mar 1945  
Sqn Ldr E J Gardiner 16 Feb 1944  
Sqn Ldr J K Duncan  4 May 1945  
Sqn Ldr C H Debenham  1 Jul 1945  
Sqn Ldr J R D Dennehey 21 Jun 1945 DFC
Administrative Staff
Gp Capt W P Harvey  4 Feb 1944  
Wg Cdr L W Thackwell 10 Jan 1943 Senior Personnel Staff Officer
Wg Cdr J F V Sugars 12 Apr 1945  
Wg Cdr G W P Davidson 28 Apr 1945  
Sqn Ldr L M Page 30 Apr 1943  
Sqn Ldr H Mills  3 Jul 1942  
Sqn Ldr L J Godding 31 Dec 1943  
Sqn Ldr J H Ligertwood  6 Nov 1944  
Sqn Ldr J H McDougall 13 Jan 1943  
Sqn Ldr L H V Scollick 15 Aug 1945  
Sqn Ldr R James  1 Mar 1945  
Sqn Ldr W Hill 25 Nov 1944  
Staffs of the Services
Navigation
Sqn Ldr R A Simpson 20 Feb 1945  
Engineer
Gp Capt Alan Pyke 18 Jun 1945 later A/Cdre
Wg Cdr F Lord  3 Jan 1944  
Sqn Ldr R Bentley 15 Mar 1945  
Sqn Ldr A T Jupp 15 Mar 1945  
Signals
Wg Cdr E M Long 30 Jul 1944  
Sqn Ldr R J Mitchell 2 Jun 1944  
Sqn Ldr L W Carson 22 Aug 1942  
Maj G H Harvey 10 Nov 1944  
Equipment
Wg Cdr M J P de Froberville 16 Dec 1943  
Sqn Ldr L G Meech  2 Nov 1944  
Accountant
Wg Cdr J M Horsley  8 Dec 1944  
Sqn Ldr E S Townsend 18 Dec 1943  
Medical
Wg Cdr R L Scott 15 Mar 1945 MB, ChB
Sqn Ldr R A Mitchell 28 May 1945 MB, ChB
Works
Mr T A K Wilson  3 Mar 1944 AMICE, AMISE
Meteorological
Sqn Ldr G W Hurst  2 Nov 1944  

Source - August 1945 Confidential Air Force List (AIR 10/3839)

September 1945

Location Command Controlled
Heliopolis Transport Command See Orders of Battle Section

 

Rank Name Date Notes
AVM Lawrence Darvall 25 Jun 1945 Air Officer Commanding, CB, MC; later AM
A/Cdre John Oliver 20 Jun 1945 Air Officer i/c Administration, AFC
Air Staff
Gp Capt C Ryley 18 Jan 1945 Senior Air Staff Officer
Wg Cdr G D Noel-Johnston  8 Oct 1944  
Wg Cdr G G McLannahan  1 Aug 1944  
Wg Cdr H M Mitchell  8 Aug 1945 DFC
Wg Cdr R C Warner 23 Apr 1945  
Wg Cdr H R Kirkman 21 May 1945  
Wg Cdr L S M Bailey 18 Jun 1945  
Sqn Ldr R C A Rich  8 Oct 1944  
Sqn Ldr Sir J A Kirkpatrick 10 Jun 1944  
Sqn Ldr N P W Hancock 25 Feb 1945  
Sqn Ldr J K Duncan  4 May 1945  
Sqn Ldr J E Tilston  1 Jul 1945  
Sqn Ldr L E F Parry 16 Jul 1945  
Administrative Staff
Gp Capt W P Harvey  4 Feb 1944  
Wg Cdr L W Thackwell 10 Jan 1943 Senior Personnel Staff Officer
Wg Cdr J F V Sugars 12 Apr 1945  
Wg Cdr G W P Davidson 28 Apr 1945  
Sqn Ldr L M Page 30 Apr 1943  
Sqn Ldr H Mills  3 Jul 1942  
Sqn Ldr L J Godding 31 Dec 1943  
Sqn Ldr J H Ligertwood  6 Nov 1944  
Sqn Ldr J H McDougall 13 Jan 1943  
Sqn Ldr L H V Scollick 15 Aug 1945  
Sqn Ldr R James  1 Mar 1945  
Sqn Ldr W Hill 25 Nov 1944  
Sqn Ldr L H Blakelock 25 Jun 1945  
Sqn Ldr G F Croaker  1 Aug 1945  
Sqn Ldr G H J Margrave 26  Jul 1945  
Sqn Ldr A L Quance 16 Jul 1945  
Staffs of the Services
Navigation
Wg Cdr W J V Branch 11 Jun 1945  
Sqn Ldr R A Simpson 20 Feb 1945  
Engineer
Gp Capt Alan Pyke 18 Jun 1945 later A/Cdre
Wg Cdr F Lord  3 Jan 1944  
Sqn Ldr R Bentley 15 Mar 1945  
Sqn Ldr A T Jupp 15 Mar 1945  
Signals
Wg Cdr E M Long 30 Jul 1944  
Sqn Ldr R J Mitchell 2 Jun 1944  
Sqn Ldr L W Carson 22 Aug 1942  
Maj G H Harvey 10 Nov 1944  
Equipment
Wg Cdr M J P de Froberville 16 Dec 1943  
Sqn Ldr L G Meech  2 Nov 1944  
Accountant
Wg Cdr J M Horsley  8 Dec 1944  
Sqn Ldr E S Townsend 18 Dec 1943  
Medical
Wg Cdr R L Scott 15 Mar 1945 MB, ChB
Sqn Ldr R A Mitchell 28 May 1945 MB, ChB
Works
Mr T A K Wilson  3 Mar 1944 AMICE, AMISE
Meteorological
Sqn Ldr G W Hurst  2 Nov 1944  
Miscellaneous Appointment
Sqn Ldr J R Allcock  2 Jun 1945  

Source - September 1945 Confidential Air Force List (AIR 10/3839)

July 1946

Location Command Controlled
Heliopolis RAF Mediterranean and Middle East See Orders of Battle Section

 

Rank Name Date Notes
AVM Lawrence Darvall 25 Jun 1945 Air Officer Commanding, CB, MC; later AM
A/Cdre Henry I Cozens 26 Nov 1945 Air Officer i/c Administration,  CB, AFC
Air Staff
Gp Capt

Charles R Lousada

  1 Mar 1946 Senior Air Staff Officer; later A/Cdre
Gp Capt R J Gosnell  5 Sep 1945 DSO, DFC
Wg Cdr R C Warner 23 Apr 1945  
Wg Cdr S L Ring  1 Aug 1945 DFC
Lt Col A F Stanley-Clarke 15 Jan 1945  
Sqn Ldr R C A Rich  8 Oct 1944  
Sqn Ldr Sir J A Kirkpatrick 10 Jun 1944  
Sqn Ldr N P W Hancock 25 Feb 1945  
Sqn Ldr A Kratt  1 Mar 1945  
Sqn Ldr F J Higham 13 Apr 1945  
Sqn Ldr L J Brown 16 Apr 1945  
Sqn Ldr G H J Margrave 26 Jul 1945  
Sqn Ldr T R Nelson 28 Aug 1945  
Sqn Ldr J G Rice 30 Aug 1945  
Sqn Ldr J K Duncan 10 Feb 1945  
Administrative Staff
Gp Capt W P Harvey  4 Feb 1944 Senior Officer i/c Administration
Wg Cdr G W P Davidson 28 Apr 1945 Organisation
Sqn Ldr J A Christie 28 Aug 1945  
Sqn Ldr L J Godding 31 Dec 1943  
Sqn Ldr J H Ligertwood  6 Nov 1944  
Sqn Ldr G F Croaker  1 Aug 1945  
Sqn Ldr C Rowe  1 Dec 1944  
Sqn Ldr A W Ward 29 Aug 1945  
Sqn Ldr W H Tew 30 Apr 1943  
Staffs of the Services
Navigation
Wg Cdr W J V Branch 11 Jun 1945  
Sqn Ldr R A Simpson 20 Feb 1945  
Engineer
Gp Capt Alan Pyke 18 Jun 1945 later A/Cdre
Wg Cdr F Lord  3 Jan 1944  
Sqn Ldr R Bentley 15 Mar 1945  
Sqn Ldr A T Jupp 15 Mar 1945  
Signals
Gp Capt Michael Watson 14 Jul 1945 CBE; later A/Cdre
Wg Cdr E M Long 30 Jul 1944  
Sqn Ldr R J Mitchell 2 Jun 1944  
Maj G H Harvey 10 Nov 1944  
Equipment
Wg Cdr M J P de Froberville 16 Dec 1943  
Sqn Ldr L G Meech  2 Nov 1944  
Accountant
Wg Cdr R L M Hall  4 Dec 1944 OBE
Sqn Ldr E S Townsend 18 Dec 1943  
Medical
Wg Cdr R L Scott 15 Mar 1945 MB, ChB
Sqn Ldr M W Arthurton 15 Sep 1945 MB, BS, MRCS
Educational
Mr T S Preston  2 Sep 1945 BSc, RAFVR
Meteorological
Sqn Ldr G W Hurst  2 Nov 1944  
WAAF Staff Officer
Sqn Off M M S Bates  1 Mar 1946  
Miscellaneous Appointment
Sqn Ldr J R Allcock  2 Jun 1945  

Source - July 1946 Confidential Air Force List (AIR 10/5239)

August 1946

 

Location Command Controlled
Heliopolis RAF Mediterranean and Middle East See Orders of Battle Section

 

Rank Name Date Notes
A/Cdre Henry I Cozens 26 Nov 1945 Air Officer Commanding, CB, AFC
Air Staff
Gp Capt

William S Hebden

   Senior Air Staff Officer; later A/Cdre
Sqn Ldr F J Higham 13 Apr 1945  
Sqn Ldr I M R Brownlie    
Sqn Ldr G F Waddington    
Sqn Ldr E J Davidge    
Sqn Ldr R W Mattocks    
Sqn Ldr W Stapleton    
Administrative Staff
Sqn Ldr J A Christie 28 Aug 1945 Organisation
Sqn Ldr W F Killick   Senior Personnel Staff Officer
Staffs of the Services
Engineer
Wg Cdr F Lord  3 Jan 1944  
Sqn Ldr C H Armistead    
Sqn Ldr J E Munden    
Signals
Sqn Ldr C W Allsop    
Equipment
Wg Cdr J K Osborne    
Meteorological
Sqn Ldr G W Hurst  2 Nov 1944  

Source - August 1946 Confidential Air Force List (AIR 10/5239)

[Dec 1943 | Jun 1944 | Jun 1945 | Jul 1945 | Aug 1945 | Sep 1945 | Jul 1946 | Aug 1946]

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