Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation
No 185 Sqn Personnel, aircraft and locations
[Jul 1938 | Jan 1939 | Apr 1939 | May 1939 | Jan-May 1940 | May-Dec 1941]
Personnel Movements: Jun - Jul 1938
Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
Flt Lt | D Addenbrooke | 1 Jun 1938 | Arrived on posting and assumed command of No 185 Sqn |
Fg Off | A H Smythe | 1 Jun 1938 | Arrived on posting |
Plt Off | R P Nelms | 1 Jun 1938 | Arrived on posting |
Plt Off | C Cakebread | 1 Jun 1938 | Arrived on posting |
Plt Off | G G Avis | 1 Jun 1938 | Arrived on posting |
Source - No 185 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/1139)
Organisational Movements: Jun - Jul 1938
Date | Notes |
1 Jun 1938 | Reformed at Abingdon from 'B' Flight of No 40 Squadron |
3 Jun 1938 | 6 x Hawker Hinds transferred from No 40 Sqn |
21 Jul 1938 | 2 x Fairey Battles collected from the manufacturers at Stockport |
Source - No 185 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/1139)
Aircraft operated | Location | Command/Group |
Hawker Hind Fairey Battle I |
RAF Abingdon | Bomber Command/No 1 (Bomber) Group |
Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
Flt Lt | D Addenbrooke | 1 Jun 1938 | |
Fg Off | A H Smythe | 1 Jun 1938 | |
Plt Off | R P Nelms | 1 Jun 1938 | |
Plt Off | C Cakebread | 1 Jun 1938 | |
Plt Off | G G Avis | 1 Jun 1938 | |
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3 Airman Pilots |
Source - July 1938 Air Force List
Personnel Movements: Jul 1938 - Jan 1939
Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
Flt Lt | D Addenbrooke | 15 Oct 1938 | Relinquished command of No 185 Sqn and assumed command of 'A' Flight |
Sqn Ldr | A E Louks | 15 Oct 1938 | Arrived on posting from the Air Ministry and assumed command of No 185 Sqn |
Plt Off | G G Avis | 15 Oct 1938 | Assumed command of 'B' Flight |
Flt Lt | D Addenbrooke | xx Dec 1938 | Promoted to Sqn Ldr |
Source - No 185 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/1139)
Organisational Movements: Jul 1938 - Jan 1939
Date | Notes |
27/28 Jul 1938 | 4 x Hinds delivered to General Aircraft Co, Hanworth |
4 Aug 1938 | 1 x Hind delivered to No 26 MU, RAF Cardington |
4 Aug 1938 | 1 x Hind delivered to the Station Flight, RAF Finningley |
29 Aug 1938 | Advance Party, proceeded from RAF Abingdon to RAF Thornaby |
1 Sep 1938 | Main Party, proceeded from RAF Abingdon to RAF Thornaby |
1 Sep 1938 | Air Party, proceeded from RAF Abingdon to RAF Thornaby |
27 Sep 1938 | Squadron moved from RAF Thornaby to RAF Grantham and exchanged its aircraft with those of No 218 Sqn |
15 Oct 1938 | Squadron returned to RAF Thornaby from RAF Grantham |
1 Nov 1938 | Squadron establishment increased to 16 x IE plus 5 x IR aircraft |
Source - No 185 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/1139)
Aircraft operated | Location | Command/Group |
Fairey Battle I | RAF Thornaby | Bomber Command/No 5 (Bomber) Group |
Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
Sqn Ldr | A E Louks | 13 Oct 1938 | Officer Commanding |
Sqn Ldr | D Addenbrooke | 1 Jun 1938 | |
Plt Off | R P Nelms | 1 Jun 1938 | |
Plt Off | C Cakebread | 1 Jun 1938 | |
Plt Off | G G Avis | 1 Jun 1938 | |
Plt Off | J M D Irvine | 11 Jun 1938 | |
Plt Off | A M Murphy | 30 Jul 1938 | |
Plt Off | W A Blake | 20 Aug 1938 | |
Plt Off | E B Liddell | 20 Aug 1938 | |
Plt Off | D H Jacklin | 9 Jul 1938 | |
Plt Off | N H Svendsen | 9 Jul 1938 | |
Plt Off | S Moxham | 20 Aug 1938 |
Source - January 1939 Air Force List
Aircraft operated | Location | Command/Group |
Fairey Battle I | RAF Thornaby | Bomber Command/No 5 (Bomber) Group |
Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
Sqn Ldr | A E Louks | 13 Oct 1938 | |
Act Fg Off | R P Nelms | 1 Jun 1938 | |
Plt Off | C Cakebread | 1 Jun 1938 | |
Plt Off | G G Avis | 1 Jun 1938 | |
Plt Off | J M D Irvine | 11 Jun 1938 | |
Plt Off | A M Murphy | 30 Jul 1938 | |
Plt Off | W A Blake | 20 Aug 1938 | |
Plt Off | E B Liddell | 20 Aug 1938 | |
Plt Off | D H Jacklin | 9 Jul 1938 | |
Plt Off | N H Svendsen | 9 Jul 1938 | |
Plt Off | S Moxham | 20 Aug 1938 | |
Plt Off | W A C Mulloy | 28 Jan 1939 | |
Plt Off | R R Harper | 17 Dec 1938 | |
APO | R H Bunker | 17 Dec 1938 | |
Warrant Officer | |||
WO | E V Osmond | 20 Feb 1939 |
Source - April 1939 Confidential Air Force List
Aircraft operated | Location | Command/Group |
Fairey Battle I | RAF Thornaby | Bomber Command/No 5 (Bomber) Group |
Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
Sqn Ldr | A E Louks | 13 Oct 1938 | |
Sqn Ldr | F D Terdery | 3 Apr 1939 | |
Act Flt Lt (Plt Off) | R P Nelms | 1 Jun 1938 | |
Act Flt Lt (Plt Off) | G G Avis | 1 Jun 1938 | |
Plt Off | C Cakebread | 1 Jun 1938 | |
Plt Off | J M D Irvine | 11 Jun 1938 | |
Plt Off | A M Murphy | 30 Jul 1938 | |
Plt Off | W A Blake | 20 Aug 1938 | |
Plt Off | E B Liddell | 20 Aug 1938 | |
Plt Off | D H Jacklin | 9 Jul 1938 | |
Plt Off | N H Svendsen | 9 Jul 1938 | |
Plt Off | S Moxham | 20 Aug 1938 | |
Plt Off | W A C Mulloy | 28 Jan 1939 | |
Plt Off | R R Harper | 17 Dec 1938 | |
Plt Off | R H Bunker | 17 Dec 1938 | |
Plt Off | R Hadingham | 11 Mar 1939 | |
Plt Off | J D G Withers | 11 Mar 1939 | |
APO | W O D Tweddell | 3 Apr 1939 | |
Warrant Officer | |||
WO | E V Osmond | 20 Feb 1939 |
Source - May 1939 Confidential Air Force List
Personnel Movements: Jan - Dec 1939
Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
Sqn Ldr | D Addenbrooke | 9 Jan 1939 | Posted to No 90 Sqn |
Plt Off | R P Nelms | 9 Jan 1939 | Assumed command of 'A' Flight |
Plt Off | W A C Mulloy | 28 Jan 1939 | Arrived on posting |
Plt Off | R P Nelms | xx Feb 1939 | Promoted to Act Flt Lt |
Plt Off | G G Avis | xx Feb 1939 | Promoted to Act Flt Lt |
Plt Off | R Hadingham | 11 Mar 1939 | Arrived on posting |
Plt Off | J D G Withers | 11 Mar 1939 | Arrived on posting |
Sqn Ldr | C Guppy | 23 Mar 1939 | Arrived on posting for duty as Temporary OC |
APO | W O D Tweddell | 3 Apr 1939 | Arrived on posting |
Sqn Ldr | F D Terdery | 3 Apr 1939 | Arrived on posting from No 6 FTS for duty as Engineer Officer |
Sqn Ldr | A E Louks | 21 Apr 1939 | Relinquished command of No 185 Sqn on posting to HMS Glorious |
Sqn Ldr | C Guppy | 21 Apr 1939 | Assumed command of No 185 Sqn |
Wg Cdr | E D Barnes | xx May 1939 | Arrived on posting from No 1 RAF Depot and assumed command of No 185 Sqn |
Plt Off | Brooke-Taylor | xx Jun 1939 | Arrived on posting |
Plt Off | Barr | xx Jul 1939 | Arrived on posting |
Plt Off | J Musgrave | xx Jul 1939 | Arrived on posting |
Plt Off | R B Knowles | 14 Aug 1939 | Arrived on posting |
Plt Off | R W Harper | 18 Aug 1939 | Killed in a flying accident |
Plt Off | A P B Hordern | 9 Sep 1939 | Arrived on attachment |
Plt Off | D Redmayne | 10 Sep 1939 | Arrived on attachment |
Plt Off | R J Dunlop-McKenzie | 10 Sep 1939 | Arrived on attachment |
Sgt Plt | A N Mowlan | 11 Sep 1939 | Arrived on posting |
Plt Off | E D Tiddy | 17 Sep 1939 | Arrived on attachment for duty as Adjutant |
Wg Cdr | E D Barnes | 6 Oct 1939 | Assumed temporary command of RAF Finningley on attachment |
Plt Off | R Hadingham | 7 Oct 1939 | Attached to RAF St Athan for No 1 War Navigation Course |
Plt Off | Barr | 7 Oct 1939 | Attached to RAF St Athan for No 1 War Navigation Course |
Sqn Ldr | D J P Lee | 8 Oct 1939 | Attached |
Plt Off | A M Murphy | 8 Oct 1939 | Attached to RAF Boscombe Down for short Gunnery Course |
Plt Off | J D G Withers | 13 Oct 1939 | Posted to RAF Scampton |
Plt Off | W O D Tweddell | 13 Oct 1939 | Posted to RAF Scampton |
Plt Off | N H Svendsen | 13 Oct 1939 | Posted to RAF Scampton |
Plt Off | Brooke-Taylor | 13 Oct 1939 | Posted to RAF Scampton |
Sgt | Jones | 13 Oct 1939 | Posted to RAF Hemswell |
Sgt | Duncan | 13 Oct 1939 | Posted to RAF Hemswell |
Plt Off | N S Cornish | 16 Oct 1939 | Arrived on attachment |
Plt Off | S Moxham | 19 Oct 1939 | Discharged from RAF Hospital, Cranwell and posted N/E (sick) to No 1 RAF Depot |
Plt Off | Bunker | 20 Oct 1939 | Posted to RAF Scampton |
Plt Off | S Moxham | 23 Oct 1939 | Arrived on posting from N/E (sick), No 1 RAF Depot |
Wg Cdr | E D Barnes | 23 Oct 1939 | Arrived on posting from No 1 RAF Depot and assumed command of No 185 Sqn |
Sqn Ldr | D J P Lee | 23 Oct 1939 | Posted to RAF Hemswell |
Plt Off | N S Cornish | 9 Nov 1939 | Ceased to be attached on posting to No 106 Sqn |
Plt Off | B C Bell | 10 Nov 1939 | Arrived on attachment from No 57 Sqn |
Plt Off | P D Tunstall | 10 Nov 1939 | Attached from No 49 Sqn for operational training |
Plt Off | W A C Mulloy | 15 Nov 1939 | Attached to CGS, RAF Warmwell |
Plt Off | R D J Radbourne | 18 Nov 1939 | Arrived on posting from No 3 FTS for operational training |
Plt Off | H W H Fisher | 18 Nov 1939 | Arrived on posting from No 3 FTS for operational training |
Plt Off | E A C Hill | 18 Nov 1939 | Arrived on posting from No 3 FTS for operational training |
Plt Off | D A A Romans | 18 Nov 1939 | Arrived on posting from No 3 FTS for operational training |
Plt Off | B J Souter | 18 Nov 1939 | Arrived on posting from No 15 FTS for operational training |
Plt Off | L B Fawcett | 18 Nov 1939 | Arrived on posting from No 15 FTS for operational training |
Plt Off | J C Barker | 18 Nov 1939 | Arrived on posting from No 15 FTS for operational training |
Plt Off | D H Jacklin | 19 Nov 1939 | Ceased to be attached to Perth Municipal Airport |
Fg Off | D P W R Robinson | 22 Nov 1939 | Arrived on posting from No 5 BGS for operational training |
Plt Off | J M D Irvine | 24 Nov 1939 | Posted to No 49 Sqn |
Plt Off | W A C Mulloy | 24 Nov 1939 | Posted to No 83 Sqn |
Fg Off | A B Lennie | 26 Nov 1939 | Arrived on posting from No 98 Sqn for operational training |
Fg Off | A G Griffin | 26 Nov 1939 | Arrived on posting from No 98 Sqn for operational training |
Plt Off | J E Watts | 26 Nov 1939 | Arrived on posting from No 98 Sqn for operational training |
Plt Off | A T L Scoltock | 26 Nov 1939 | Arrived on posting from No 98 Sqn for operational training |
Plt Off | J D Nettleton | 26 Nov 1939 | Arrived on posting from No 98 Sqn for operational training |
Plt Off | K A Ramsey | 26 Nov 1939 | Arrived on posting from No 98 Sqn for operational training |
Sqn Ldr | N Hope | 30 Nov 1939 | Killed in a flying accident (5 Group Staff Officer) |
Plt Off | J Musgrave | 30 Nov 1939 | Killed in a flying accident |
Sgt | L Thom | 30 Nov 1939 | Killed in a flying accident |
AC2 | D J O'Regan | 30 Nov 1939 | Killed in a flying accident |
Plt Off | C Cakebread | 3 Dec 1939 | Attached to CGS, RAF Warmwell |
Flt Lt | A B Smith | 4 Dec 1939 | Arrived on posting from RAF Scampton for duty as Adjutant |
Plt Off | E D Tiddy | 6 Dec 1939 | Adjutant, ceased to be attached on posting to RAF Scampton for Intelligence duties |
Plt Off | Rowan | 16 Dec 1939 | Arrived on posting from No 10 SFTS, RAF Ternhill for operational training |
Plt Off | Freke | 16 Dec 1939 | Arrived on posting from No 6 SFTS, RAF Little Rissington for operational training |
Sgt | Wilkes | 16 Dec 1939 | Arrived on posting from No 10 SFTS, RAF Ternhill for operational training |
Sgt | Fielder | 16 Dec 1939 | Arrived on posting from No 6 SFTS, RAF Little Rissington for operational training |
Sgt | Fuller | 19 Dec 1939 | Attached to No 144 Sqn, RAF Hemswell |
Plt Off | A P B Hordern | 19 Dec 1939 | Ceased to be attached on posting to No 49 Sqn |
Plt Off | D Redmayne | 19 Dec 1939 | Ceased to be attached on posting to No 83 Sqn |
Plt Off | R J Dunlop-McKenzie | 19 Dec 1939 | Ceased to be attached on posting to No 83 Sqn |
Plt Off | P D Tunstall | 19 Dec 1939 | Ceased to be attached on posting to No 61 Sqn |
Plt Off | B C Bell | 21 Dec 1939 | Ceased to be attached on posting to No 1 Receiving Centre, Uxbridge |
Source - No 185 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/1139)
Organisational Movements: Jan - Dec 1939
Date | Notes |
xx May 1939 | Squadron advised it would re-equip with Handley Page Hampdens |
2 Jun 1939 | Squadron commenced re-equipment with Handley Page Hampdens, with first collected from Radlett |
16 Aug 1939 | One Flight commenced re-equipment with Handley Page Herefords |
24 Aug 1939 | Squadron moved from RAF Thornaby to RAF Cottesmore |
26 Aug 1939 | Rear Party moved from RAF Thornaby to RAF Cottesmore |
xx Aug 1939 | Squadron received 4 x Avro Ansons* |
9 Nov 1939 | Anson, N5085 transferred to RAF Upwood |
12 Nov 1939 | Hampden, L4206 transferred to CGS, RAF Warmwell |
13 Nov 1939 | Hereford, L6008 received from No 5 MU, RAF Kemble |
14 Nov 1939 | Hampden, L4199 transferred to CGS, RAF Warmwell |
12 Dec 1939 | Anson, N9830 received from A V Roe & Co Ltd, Woodford |
16 Dec 1939 | Ansons, N9831, N9832, N9833 and N9834 received from A V Roe & Co Ltd, Woodford |
Source - No 185 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/1139), except *
Personnel Movements: Jan - Apr 1940
Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
Plt Off | E A C Hill | 1 Jan 1940 | Killed in a flying accident |
Sgt | S E J Bartlett | 5 Jan 1940 | Posted to No 9 SFTS, RAF Hullavington |
Sgt Plt | O Beck | 6 Jan 1940 | Arrived on posting from No 15 FTS for operational training |
Plt Off | M E Lowe | 6 Jan 1940 | Arrived on posting from No 15 FTS for operational training |
Plt Off | E B Rendall | 6 Jan 1940 | Arrived on posting from No 15 FTS for operational training |
Plt Off | R R Sandford | 6 Jan 1940 | Arrived on posting from No 15 FTS for operational training |
Plt Off | D H Jacklin | 10 Jan 1940 | Attached to RAF Finningley |
Sgt | A M Mowlan | 10 Jan 1940 | WOp, attached to RAF Finningley |
Sgt | S V Vant | 10 Jan 1940 | Attached to RAF Finningley |
Sqn Ldr | H P Burwood | 14 Jan 1940 | Attached for Flying Refresher Course |
Flt Sgt | C L Trickett | 14 Jan 1940 | Attached to RAF Boscombe Down for course of instruction |
Plt Off | F W C G Tussard | 18 Jan 1940 | Arrived on posting from No 7 Sqn for duty as Adjutant |
Plt Off | J D Nettleton | 28 Jan 1940 | Attached to School of Air Navigation |
Fg Off | D P W R Robinson | 31 Jan 1940 | Attached to RAF Finningley, pending posting |
Plt Off | R Hadingham | 5 Feb 1940 | Posted to the School of Air Navigation |
Plt Off | A M Murphy | 15 Feb 1940 | Posted to the School of Air Navigation |
Plt Off | R Rainford | 18 Feb 1940 | Attached from RAF Cottesmore for operational training |
Fg Off | A B Lennie | 19 Feb 1940 | Posted to No 106 Sqn and attached to School of Air Navigation |
Fg Off | A G Griffin | 19 Feb 1940 | Posted to No 106 Sqn and attached to School of Air Navigation |
Plt Off | S Moxham | 19 Feb 1940 | Posted to No 106 Sqn and attached to School of Air Navigation |
Plt Off | J C Barker | 19 Feb 1940 | Posted to No 106 Sqn and attached to School of Air Navigation |
Plt Off | J E Watts | 19 Feb 1940 | Posted to No 106 Sqn and attached to School of Air Navigation |
Sqn Ldr | D B D Field | 23 Feb 1940 | Attached from No 72 Wing for operational training |
Plt Off | Rigg | 23 Feb 1940 | Attached from RAF Cottesmore for operational training |
APO | D E Stewart | 23 Feb 1940 | Attached from RAF Cottesmore for operational training |
Sqn Ldr | H P Burwood | 26 Feb 1940 | Ceased to be attached on posting to HQ No 5 Group |
Plt Off | J D Nettleton | 28 Feb 1940 | Ceased to be attached to School of Air Navigation |
Sqn Ldr | D B D Field | 29 Feb 1940 | Attached to No 106 Sqn for conversion course |
Sgt Plt | S J Hitchings | 11 Mar 1940 | Attached from RAF Cottesmore for operational training duties |
Sgt Plt | R Bucknell | 11 Mar 1940 | Attached from RAF Cottesmore for operational training duties |
Sgt Plt | J H Brown | 11 Mar 1940 | Attached from RAF Cottesmore for operational training duties |
Plt Off | F W C G Tussard | 21 Mar 1940 | Attached to RAF Loughborough for course of instruction |
Source - No 185 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/1139)
Organisational Movements: Jan - Apr 1940
Date | Notes |
10 Jan 1940 | Hereford, L6016 collected from No 10 MU, RAF Hullavington |
10 Jan 1940 | Hampden, L4194 transferred to RAF Finningley |
23 Feb 1940 | Hampdens, P1278 and P1279 received from No 20 MU, RAF Aston Down |
1 Mar 1940 | Hampdens, P1274 and P1275 received from No 20 MU, RAF Aston Down |
6 Mar 1940 | Hampden, P1273 received from No 20 MU, RAF Aston Down |
5 Apr 1940 | Squadron disbanded on being absorbed into No 14 Operational Training Unit |
Source - No 185 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/1139)
Personnel Movements: May - Dec 1941
Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
Sqn Ldr | P W O Mould | 12 May 1941 | Assumed command of No 185 Sqn on formation |
Plt Off | C E Hamilton | 14 May 1941 | Killed in action |
Sgt | E V Wynne | 15 May 1941 | Killed in action |
Sgt | Jolly | 19 May 1941 | Attached to No 261 Sqn |
Sgt | Sheppard | 19 May 1941 | Attached to No 261 Sqn |
Plt Off | G G Bailey | 7 Jun 1941 | Attached to No 249 Sqn |
Sgt | Sheppard | 7 Jun 1941 | Attached to No 249 Sqn |
Sgt | Jolly | 7 Jun 1941 | Attached to No 46 Sqn |
Sgt | Burton | 11 Jun 1941 | Admitted to Imtarfa Hospital following a flying accident |
Plt Off | Gray | 1 Jul 1941 | Departed on posting to the UK |
Sgt | Hodson | 1 Jul 1941 | Departed on posting to the UK |
Flt Lt | Jefferies | xx Jul 1941 | Arrived on posting |
Plt Off | D W Lintern | 30 Sep 1941 | Killed in action |
Sqn Ldr | P W O Mould | 1 Oct 1941 | Killed in action |
Flt Lt | J M N Pike | 1 Oct 1941* | Assumed command of No 185 Sqn and promoted to Act Sqn Ldr* |
Plt Off | P J B Veitch | 4 Oct 1941 | Killed in a flying accident |
Plt Off | D U Barnwell | 14 Oct 1941 | Killed in action (attached to MNFU) |
Sgt | E G Knight | 25 Oct 1941 | Killed in action |
Fg Off | G G Bailey | 9 Nov 1941 | Killed in action |
Flt Sgt | R A Cousens | 21 Nov 1941 | Killed in action |
Flt Sgt | B Hayes | 21 Dec 1941 | Killed in action |
Flt Sgt | A J Forth | 29 Dec 1941 | Killed in action |
Source - No 185 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/1139)
* These are estimated as the relevant page of the ORB is missing.
Organisational Movements: May - Dec 1941
Date | Notes | |
12 May 1941 | No 185 Sqn was reformed at RAF Hal Far, Malta from No 261 Sqn and No 1430 Flight | |
12 May 1941 | Squadron was equipped with Hurricane Is | |
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12 May 1941 | Squadron was equipped with Hurricane IIA | |
4 Jul 1941 | Squadron operated Hurricane IICs for the first time | |
6 Jun 1941 | Squadron ceased to be a day-fighter unit, becoming a night-fighter unit | |
1 Jul 1941 | Squadron reverted to the day-fighter role | |
1 Jul 1941 | Following an influx of new
personnel the officer/NCO pilot strength on this date was: -
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'A' Flight
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'B' Flight
|
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Sick
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Source - No 185 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/1139)
[Jul 1938 | Jan 1939 | Apr 1939 | May 1939 | Jan-May 1940 | May-Dec 1941]
This page was last updated on 17/10/23©