Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation

Home Page

Main Menu

Quick Menu

Members' Area

What New?

About this site

Reunions

Help Needed?

Glossary

Bibliography

Sign Guest Book

View Guest Book

 

Online Store

Contact Me

No 265 Sqn Personnel, aircraft and locations

[1943 | ]

Personnel Movements: Mar - Dec 1943

Rank Name Date Notes
March
Wg Cdr H J Hobbs 11 Mar 1943 Assumed command of No 265 Squadron on formation
Fg Off Westwood 11 Mar 1943 Disembarked in Durban and assumed duties of Adjutant
Fg Off M H Maltby 11 Mar 1943 Disembarked in Durban and assumed duties of RDF Officer
Plt Off Warwick 11 Mar 1943 Disembarked in Durban and assumed duties of Codes and Cypher Officer
Plt Off L E Brown 11 Mar 1943 Disembarked in Durban and assumed duties of Intelligence Officer
Plt Off Greenup 11 Mar 1943 Disembarked in Durban and assumed duties of RAF Regiment Officer
Fg Off Westwood 12 Mar 1943 Adjutant, proceeded on detachment to RAF Eastleigh with 181 NCOs and airmen
Fg Off M H Maltby 13 Mar 1943 RDF Officer, attached to No 246 Wing as Wing RDF Officer
Plt Off Warwick 13 Mar 1943 Attached to No 246 Wing for Codes and Cypher duties
Plt Off L E Brown 13 Mar 1943 Attached to No 246 Wing for Intelligence duties
Wg Cdr H J Hobbs 26 Mar 1943 Departed RAF Stranraer for RAF Mount Batten in Catalina IB, FP305 'C'
Sgt Lister 28 Mar 1943 Admitted to hospital in Gibraltar on arrival of Catalina IB, FP305 'C'
April
Sgt Palmer  1 Apr 1943 Reported sick at Jui on arrival of FP305
Fg Off Westwood  8 Apr 1943 Adjutant, arrived at Diego Suarez from RAF Eastleigh open up the squadron camp
Flt Sgt D Scott  8 Apr 1943 Reported sick at Lagos on arrival of FP305
Sgt Palmer  8 Apr 1943 Discharged from hospital and continued with flight of FP305
Plt Off Greenup 10 Apr 1943 RAF Regiment Officer, posted to 'A' Squadron, Middle East
Fg Off M H Maltby 13 Apr 1943 RDF Officer, proceeded to Kilifi to take control of leased buildings, fuel and ammunition
Wg Cdr H J Hobbs 21 Apr 1943 Arrived at Mombasa in Catalina IB, FP305 'C'
Sgt F T Palmer 21 Apr 1943 Arrived on posting as Captain of FP305
Sgt J W Carroll 21 Apr 1943 Arrived on posting as Navigator of FP305
Plt Off Pinkard 21 Apr 1943 Arrived on attachment as 2nd Pilot on FP305
Fg Off C E Robin RCAF 24 Apr 1943 Departed RAF Stranraer for RAF Mount Batten in Catalina IB, FP313 'N'
Fg Off W G Wilkin RCAF 24 Apr 1943 Departed RAF Stranraer for RAF Mount Batten in Catalina IB, FP313 'N'
Plt Off O R Benson RCAF 24 Apr 1943 Departed RAF Stranraer for RAF Mount Batten in Catalina IB, FP300 'K'
Plt Off H G Gibbins 24 Apr 1943 Departed RAF Stranraer for RAF Mount Batten in Catalina IB, FP300 'K'
Plt Off D L F Hoare 24 Apr 1943 Departed RAF Stranraer for RAF Mount Batten in Catalina IB, FP300 'K'
Flt Sgt T J H Dobson 24 Apr 1943 Departed RAF Stranraer for RAF Mount Batten in Catalina IB, FP310 'L'
Wg Cdr H J Hobbs 25 Apr 1943 Arrived at Diego Suarez
Plt Off L E Brown 25 Apr 1943 Intelligence Officer, arrived at Diego Suarez
Plt Off Pinkard 25 Apr 1943 Arrived at Diego Suarez
WO Virgin 25 Apr 1943 Arrived on posting for Armament duties
Sgt F T Palmer 25 Apr 1943 Arrived at Diego Suarez
Sgt J W Carroll 25 Apr 1943 Arrived at Diego Suarez
Sqn Ldr T P Seymour 30 Apr 1943 Departed RAF Stranraer for RAF Pembroke Dock in Catalina IB, FP263 'J'
Fg Off T H Temple-Murray 30 Apr 1943 Departed RAF Stranraer for RAF Pembroke Dock in Catalina IB, FP263 'J'
Fg Off A H Smth 30 Apr 1943 Departed RAF Stranraer for RAF Pembroke Dock in Catalina IB, FP263 'J'
May
Sqn Ldr T P Seymour  1 May 1943 Assumed command of No 265 Detachment, Mombasa
Fg Off M H Maltby  1 May 1943 RDF Officer, allocated to No 265 Detachment, Mombasa but remained attached to No 246 Wing
Plt Off L E Brown  1 May 1943 Intelligence Officer, returned to No 265 Detachment, Mombasa
WO Virgin  1 May 1943 Armament  Officer, returned to No 265 Detachment, Mombasa
Cpl H Black  4 May 1943 Service Police arrived at Diego Suarez on posting by BOAC
Cpl Sumby  4 May 1943 Service Police arrived at Diego Suarez on posting by BOAC
Fg Off M H Maltby  5 May 1943 RDF Officer, returned from Kilifi and admitted to No 6 (EA) General Hospital with Malaria
Flt Sgt Marshall  6 May 1943 Arrived at Diego Suarez from Eastleigh by Hudson
Flt Sgt Cardy 19 May 1943 Arrived at Mombasa from Eastleigh by BOAC
Fg Off A H Smth 29 May 1943 Admitted to No 6 (EA) General Hospital with suspected Malaria
Sqn Ldr T P Seymour 31 May 1943 Admitted to No 6 (EA) General Hospital with Malaria
Sgt J W Carroll 31 May 1943 Admitted to No 6 (EA) General Hospital with Malaria
Fg Off T H Temple-Murray 31 May 1943 Assumed temporary command of No 265 Sqn Detachment
June
Sqn Ldr T P Seymour  7 Jun 1943 Discharged from No 6 (EA) General Hospital and resumed command of No 265 Sqn Detachment
Plt Off D L F Hoare  8 Jun 1943 Admitted to No 6 (EA) General Hospital with suspected malaria
Wg Cdr H J Hobbs  9 Jun 1943 Proceeded to Mombasa and assumed command of No 265 Sqn Detachment
Fg Off A H Smth  9 Jun 1943 Discharged from No 6 (EA) General Hospital
Sgt F T Palmer 11 Jun 1943 Admitted to No 6 (EA) General Hospital with suspected malaria
Sqn Ldr T P Seymour 13 Jun 1943 Proceeded on sick leave
Fg Off A H Smth 13 Jun 1943 Proceeded on sick leave
Fg Off T H Temple-Murray 14 Jun 1943 Assumed temporary duties of Flight Commander
Plt Off D L F Hoare 16 Jun 1943 Discharged from No 6 (EA) General Hospital
Fg Off A H Smth 24 Jun 1943 Admitted to No 87 (EA) General Hospital with dysentery
July
Flt Sgt R E Hill  1 Jul 1943 Returned from attachment to RAF Eastleigh
Sgt F T Palmer  1 Jul 1943 Posted to No 259 Sqn
Sqn Ldr T P Seymour  5 Jul 1943 Returned from sick leave and resumed duties of Flight Commander
Fg Off T H Temple-Murray  5 Jul 1943 Assumed duties of Squadron Sports Officer
Plt Off H G Gibbins  6 Jul 1943 Admitted to No 6 (EA) General Hospital with chicken-pox
Plt Off D L F Hoare  8 Jul 1943 Returned from sick leave
Fg Off A Cumming  9 Jul 1943 Arrived on attachment from No 209 Sqn as Captain of C/265
Flt Lt K R McCormick 10 Jul 1943 Arrived on posting from RAF Eastleigh for duty as Engineer Officer
Plt Off D L F Hoare 10 Jul 1943 Promoted to Fg Off, wef 20 Jan 1943
Plt Off H G Gibbins 10 Jul 1943 Promoted to Fg Off, wef 4 Feb 1943
Wg Cdr H J Hobbs 13 Jul 1943 Assumed command of No 265 Sqn Detachment, Pamanzi
Plt Off Warwick 14 Jul 1943 Codes and Cypher Officer, posted to No 246 Wing, Pamanzi
Plt Off L E Brown 15 Jul 1943 Intelligence Officer, promoted to Fg Off, wef 13 Apr 1943
Fg Off R M Kerr 19 Jul 1943 Departed RAF Stranraer for RAF Mount Batten in Catalina IB, FP104 'H'
Fg Off G G McKendrick 19 Jul 1943 Departed RAF Stranraer for RAF Mount Batten in Catalina IB, FP104 'H'
Fg Off W Graham RAAF 19 Jul 1943 Departed RAF Stranraer for RAF Mount Batten in Catalina IB, FP104 'H'
Fg Off M H Maltby 20 Jul 1943 RDF Officer, arrived to join No 265 Sqn Detachment, Pamanzi
Flt Sgt Marshall 21 Jul 1943 Arrived at Pamanzi from Diego Suarez as NCO i/c Maintenance Party
Fg Off Westwood 22 Jul 1943 Adjutant, promoted to Flt Lt, wef 14 Apr 1943
Plt Off H G Gibbins 22 Jul 1943 Returned from hospital
Plt Off Pinkard 23 Jul 1943 Promoted to Fg Off, wef 24 Apr 1943
Fg Off J A Abraham 25 Jul 1943 Arrived at Mombasa on posting as supernumerary from No 105 OTU
Fg Off Lawton 26 Jul 1943 Arrived from Wing for duty as Marine Craft Officer
Sgt F J Trice 26 Jul 1943 Returned from attachment in South Africa
Cpl V Kask 30 Jul 1943 Proceeded to RAF Eastleigh for the purpose of making twin gun mountings
Fg Off D S Lyall RCAF 31 Jul 1943 Departed RAF Oban for RAF Mount Batten in Catalina IB, FP311 'O'
Plt Off E C Lawrence RCAF 31 Jul 1943 Departed RAF Oban for RAF Mount Batten in Catalina IB, FP311 'O'
Sgt F R Spencer 31 Jul 1943 Departed RAF Oban for RAF Mount Batten in Catalina IB, FP311 'O'
August
Flt Lt K R McCormick  3 Aug 1943 Engineer Officer, moved from Mombasa to Diego Suarez by BOAC
Fg Off J A Abraham  3 Aug 1943 Moved from Mombasa to Diego Suarez
Wg Cdr H J Hobbs  4 Aug 1943 Departed Mombasa to join detachment at Diego Suarez
Fg Off Pinkard  4 Aug 1943 Departed Mombasa to join detachment at Diego Suarez
Fg Off A H Smth  4 Aug 1943 Departed Mombasa to join detachment at Diego Suarez
Fg Off M H Maltby  4 Aug 1943 RDF Officer, assumed command of No 265 Sqn Detachment, Mombasa
Plt Off D L F Hoare  4 Aug 1943 Assumed duties of Adjutant, No 265 Sqn Detachment, Mombasa
Flt Sgt Marshall  6 Aug 1943 Departed Diego Suarez to join the detachment at Tulear
Sqn Ldr T P Seymour  8 Aug 1943 Departed Mombasa for Pamanzi and assumed command of the detachment
Fg Off L E Brown  8 Aug 1943 Departed Mombasa for Pamanzi
Wg Cdr H J Hobbs  9 Aug 1943 Departed Diego Suarez for Mauritius and assumed command of detachment
Flt Lt K R McCormick  9 Aug 1943 Engineer Officer, assumed temporary command of No 265 Sqn
Plt Off H G Gibbins 10 Aug 1943 Transferred to No 87 (EA) General Hospital from Holiday Farm, Nairobi
Sqn Ldr T P Seymour 14 Aug 1943 Returned to Mombasa from Pamanzi
Fg Off L E Brown 14 Aug 1943 Returned to Mombasa from Pamanzi
Sqn Ldr T P Seymour 16 Aug 1943 Departed Mombasa for Pamanzi by BOAC
Sqn Ldr T P Seymour 17 Aug 1943 Arrived at Pamanzi by BOAC from Mombasa and assumed command of No 230 Sqn detachment
Flt Lt K R McCormick 17 Aug 1943 Engineer Officer, detached to AHQ East Africa
Sqn Ldr T P Seymour 18 Aug 1943 Arrived Diego Suarez from Pamanzi in N/230 Sqn
Fg Off T H Temple-Murray 18 Aug 1943 Returned from sick leave
Fg Off A Cumming 18 Aug 1943 Ceased to be attached on return to No 209 Sqn
Sqn Ldr T P Seymour 23 Aug 1943 Departed Pamanzi for Mauritiius and assumed command of No 265 Sqn detachment
Flt Lt K R McCormick 24 Aug 1943 Engineer Officer, ceased to be detached to AHQ East Africa
Wg Cdr H J Hobbs 25 Aug 1943 Returned to Diego Suarez from Mauritius
Wg Cdr H J Hobbs 26 Aug 1943 Departed Diego Suarez for Mombasa
Flt Lt K R McCormick 28 Aug 1943 Engineer Officer, departed Diego Suarez on visit to Tulear
Flt Lt K R McCormick 26 Aug 1943 Engineer Officer, returned to Diego Suarez from Tulear
Fg Off D S Lyall RCAF 26 Aug 1943 Arrived at Mombasa on posting in Catalina IB, FP311 'O'
Plt Off E C Lawrence RCAF 26 Aug 1943 Arrived at Mombasa on posting in Catalina IB, FP311 'O'
Sgt F R Spencer 26 Aug 1943 Arrived at Mombasa on posting in Catalina IB, FP311 'O'
Cpl V Kask 27 Aug 1943 Returned from RAF Eastleigh with his prototype twin gun mounting for testing
Wg Cdr H J Hobbs 28 Aug 1943 Returned to Mombasa from Diego Suarez via the Seychelles
Wg Cdr H J Hobbs 31 Aug 1943 Returned to Diego Suarez from Mombasa
September
Fg Off Westwood  1 Sep 1943 Appointed Officer i/c Airmen's Canteen
Fg Off T H Temple-Murray  1 Sep 1943 Admitted to No 6 (EA) General Hospital with tonsillitis
Fg Off D L F Hoare  2 Sep 1943 Admitted to No 6 (EA) General Hospital for transfer to 87 (EA) General Hospital with suspected gastric ulster
Fg Off Robin  2 Sep 1943 Recalled from leave to take over C/265
WO Virgin  2 Sep 1943 Arrived at Diego Suarez from Mombasa
Flt Sgt Cardy  2 Sep 1943 Arrived at Diego Suarez from Mombasa
Fg Off Graham  3 Sep 1943 Arrived at Mombasa from Kisumu having left H/265 there for transfer to FBCU
Fg Off Sanders  3 Sep 1943 Arrived at Mombasa from Kisumu having left H/265 there for transfer to FBCU
Fg Off R H Bower  3 Sep 1943 Navigator, arrived on posting from No 209 Sqn
Fg Off J S Cunningham  3 Sep 1943 Navigator, arrived on posting from No 209 Sqn
Wg Cdr H J Hobbs  4 Sep 1943 Arrived at Tulear and assumed command of the detachment
Fg Off L E Brown  5 Sep 1943 Arrived at Diego Suarez from Mombasa
Fg Off Graham  5 Sep 1943 Arrived at Diego Suarez from Mombasa
Fg Off Sanders  5 Sep 1943 Arrived at Diego Suarez from Mombasa
Cpl V Kask  7 Sep 1943 Departed to RAF Eastleigh to supervise the mass-production of the twin gun mounting designed by him
Fg Off Gibbins  9 Sep 1943 Arrived at Diego Suarez from Mombasa
Fg Off M H Maltby 13 Sep 1943 RDF Officer, arrived at Diego Suarez from Mombasa on SS 'Manela'
Sgt Trice 13 Sep 1943 RDF Officer, arrived at Diego Suarez from Mombasa on SS 'Manela'
Sqn Ldr T P Seymour 18 Sep 1943 Arrived at Diego Suarez from Tulear
Fg Off G G McKendrick 20 Sep 1943 Arrived at Diego Suarez from Mombasa
Fg Off T H Temple-Murray 20 Sep 1943 Arrived at Diego Suarez from Mombasa
Fg Off Sanders 21 Sep 1943 Promoted to Temp Flt Lt
Flt Lt K R McCormick 22 Sep 1943 Engineer Officer, posted to RAF Eastleigh and departed by BOAC
Fg Off Wadham 22 Sep 1943 Departed Diego Suarez by 259 Sqn aircraft to re-join No 209 Sqn
Flt Sgt Marshall 23 Sep 1943 Arrived at Diego Suarez from Mauritius
Fg Off J A Abraham 24 Sep 1943 Assumed duties of Welfare Officer
Fg Off M H Maltby 24 Sep 1943 Relinquished duties of Welfare Officer
Flt Lt Sanders 27 Sep 1943 Gunnery Leader, proceeded to CGS (ME) for course
October
Flt Lt Westwood  1 Oct 1943 Resumed duties of Adjutant
Flt Lt Pattinson  1 Oct 1943 Arrived on posting from RAF Eastleigh for duty as Medical Officer
Flt Lt Cooke  1 Oct 1943 Arrived on posting from RAF Eastleigh for duty as Engineering Officer
Fg Off M H Maltby  1 Oct 1943 Relinquished duties of Adjutant
Flt Lt Westwood  6 Oct 1943 Adjutant, proceeded to Nairobi for No 19 Junior Officers' Administrative Course
Fg Off G G McKendrick  6 Oct 1943 Assumed duties of Adjutant
Flt Lt Pattinson  8 Oct 1943 Appointed President - Library Committee and Officer i/c Airmen's Messing
Flt Lt Cooke  8 Oct 1943 Appointed Officer i/c MT and Officer i/c Sergeants Mess
WO Cardy 11 Oct 1943 Assumed duties of Sports Officer
Fg Off L E Brown 13 Oct 1943 Departed on posting to Kipevu
Fg Off Lawton 19 Oct 1943 Assumed duties of Adjutant and PSI
Fg Off G G McKendrick 19 Oct 1943 Relinquished duties of Adjutant on appointment as 2nd pilot on J/265
Fg Off A H Smith 20 Oct 1943 2nd pilot on J/265, proceeded on Captains' Course
Fg Off D S Lyall RCAF 21 Oct 1943 Reported sick at Pamanzi with malaria
Sgt P M Corkery 29 Oct 1943 Arrived on posting from FBCU (Nav B)
Cpl H Black 30 Oct 1943 Service Police attached to No 258 Wing
Act Cpl A H Ansell 30 Oct 1943 Service Police attached to No 258 Wing
Flt Lt O C Dinerman xx Oct 1943 Arrived on attachment and assumed duties of Adjutant and PSI
November
Fg Off M H Maltby  2 Nov 1943 Arrived at Diego Suarez from Pamanzi
Flt Sgt Varty  7 Nov 1943 Posted to No 133 MU
Sgt Crossland  8 Nov 1943 Fitter II, arrived at Diego Suarez on ceasing to be detached to South Africa
Flt Lt Sanders 15 Nov 1943 Gunnery Leader, returned from CGS (ME)
Fg Off D S Lyall RCAF 15 Nov 1943 Arrived at Diego Suarez from Pamanzi for convalescence
Cpl N E Pears 17 Nov 1943 Fitter IIE, proceeded on detachment to Kisumu
Fg Off D S Lyall RCAF 17 Nov 1943 Proceeded to Mombasa for malaria treatment
Flt Lt Westwood 22 Nov 1943 Adjutant, returned to Diego Suarez on completion of Course
Plt Off Robin 28 Nov 1943 Assumed command of Masirah detachment
Flt Sgt S Robertson 30 Nov 1943 WOM, arrived at Diego Suarez on ceasing to be detached to South Africa
December
Flt Lt O C Dinerman  1 Dec 1943 Departed on completion of attachment as Adjutant and PSI
Fg Off E Vercelli  6 Dec 1943 Arrived on posting as 2nd pilot on L/265
Flt Sgt Dawson  6 Dec 1943 Grounded by thw MO after being taken ill in the Seychelles
Fg Off A H Smith 12 Dec 1943 Returned on completion of Captains' Course
Fg Off Chaffe 12 Dec 1943 Arrived on posting along with 4 x Sgt aircrew
Fg Off Pack & crew 24 Dec 1943 Arrived on posting from the UK
Fg Off Barber 24 Dec 1943 Arrived on posting from the UK (Fg Off Pack's crew)
Wg Cdr H J Hobbs 28 Dec 1943 Assumed command of No 258 Wing

Source - No 265 ORB (AIR 27/1556)

Organisational Movements: Mar - Dec 1943

Date Notes
March
11 Mar 1943 Ground party disembarked from HMT 'Lancashire' at Mombasa

No 265 Squadron formed at Mombasa.

Personnel were allocated to: -

  • RAF Eastleigh - 1 x officer, 181 NCOs and airmen
  • No 246 Wing, Mombasa
  • Port Reitz, Mombasa
  • Roberts Heights, Pretoria - 50 x NCOs and airmen acting a a servicing party for No 321 Sqn (this party had arrived earlier)
26 Mar 1943 1 x Catalina IB, FP305 'C' departed RAF Stranraer for RAF Mount Batten
Catalina IB
27 Mar 1943 1 x Catalina IB, FP305 'C' departed RAF Mount Batten for Gibraltar
28 Mar 1943 1 x Catalina IB, FP305 'C' arrived in Gibraltar
29 Mar 1943 1 x Catalina IB, FP305 'C' departed Gibraltar for Bathurst
29 Mar 1943 1 x Catalina IB, FP305 'C' arrived in Bathurst
30 Mar 1943 NCO i/c Equipment Section and 3 x airmen arrived at Diego Suarez by BOAC to prepare the Squadron Camp
31 Mar 1943 Squadron party at Diego Suarez began working under the Embarkation and Equipment Unit on general duties until 8 Apr 1943
April
 1 Apr 1943 1 x Catalina IB, FP305 'C' departed Bathurst for Jui
 8 Apr 1943 1 x Catalina IB, FP305 'C' departed Jui for Lagos

Adjutant arrived at Diego Suarez to open up the squadron camp, accommodated with No 258 Wing
11 Apr 1943 1 x Catalina IB, FP305 'C' departed Lagos for Pointe Noire
12 Apr 1943 1 x Catalina IB, FP305 'C' departed Pointe Noire for Leopoldville

The SE, W/T, Electrical and Instrument Sections were detached from No 246 Wing for temporary duty with Nos 209 and 259 Sqns at Kipevu
13 Apr 1943 NCO i/c Messing and 9 x airmen arrived at Diego Suarez to commence work on the cookhouses
14 Apr 1943 1 x Catalina IB, FP305 'C' departed Stanleyville for Kisumu

Adjutant and 18 airmen moved from No 258 Wing to squadron camp (4 x bamboo huts completed)
21 Apr 1943 1 x Catalina IB, FP305 'C' departed Kisumu for Mombasa
23 Apr 1943 Stores hut was completed and unpacking of stores began
24 Apr 1943 3 x Catalina IBs, FP313 'N', FP300 'K' and FP310 'L' departed RAF Stranraer for RAF Mount Batten
25 Apr 1943 1 x Catalina IB, FP305 'C' departed Mombasa for Diego Suarez
26 Apr 1943 2 x Catalina IBs, FP313 'N' and FP310 'L' departed RAF Mount Batten for Gibraltar
29 Apr 1943 2 x Catalina IBs, FP313 'N' and FP310 'L' departed Gibraltar for Port Etienne
30 Apr 1943 1 x Catalina IBs, FP263 'J' departed RAF Stranraer for RAF Pembroke Dock

1 x Catalina IB, FP263 'J' departed RAF Pembroke Dock for Gibraltar

1 x Catalina IB, FP300 'K' departed RAF Mount Batten for Gibraltar

2 x Catalina IBs, FP313 'N' and FP310 'L' departed Port Etienne for Jui, FP310 'L' undertook a search for C/270 during the transit flight
May
 1 May 1943 Squadron informed the Catalina, FP171 had crashed on landing at Gibraltar and crew returned to the UK for further training
 1 May 1943 1 x Catalina IB, FP305 'C' departed Diego Suarez for Mombasa
 3 May 1943 2 x Catalina IBs, FP263 'J' and FP300 'K' departed Gibraltar for Port Etienne
 4 May 1943 2 x Catalina IBs, FP263 'J' and FP300 'K' departed Port Etienne for Jui

It was decided that all Major servicing would be carried out at Kisumu due to the climatic conditions and dust at Diego Suarez
 5 May 1943 Squadron Camp at Diego Suarez renamed 'Chameleon Camp'
 6 May 1943 1 x Catalina IB, FP310 'L' departed Jui for Lagos

2 x Airmen arrived at Diego Suarez from Eastleigh by Hudson
 9 May 1943 1 x Catalina IB, FP310 'L' departed Lagos for Leopoldville
11 May 1943 1 x Catalina IB, FP310 'L' departed Leopoldville for Stanleyville

1 x Catalina IBs, FP300 'K' attached to No 270 Sqn for one day

1 x Catalina IB, FP313 'N' departed Stanleyville for Kisumu

1 x Catalina IB, FP263 'J' departed Jui for Lagos
12 May 1943 1 x Catalina IB, FP310 'L' departed Stanleyville for Kisumu

1 x Catalina IBs, FP300 'K' departed Jui for Lagos
14 May 1943 1 x Catalina IBs, FP300 'K' departed Lagos for Libreville
15 May 1943 1 x Catalina IBs, FP300 'K' departed Libreville for Leopoldville via Banana Creek

1 x Catalina IB, FP263 'J' departed Lagos for Libreville
16 May 1943 1 x Catalina IB, FP263 'J' departed Libreville for Leopoldville via Banana Creek
17 May 1943 1 x Catalina IB, FP300 'K' departed Leopoldville for Stanleyville
18 May 1943 1 x Catalina IB, FP300 'K' departed Jui for Kisumu

1 x Catalina IB, FP263 'J' departed Leopoldville for Stanleyville
19 May 1943 1 x Catalina IB, FP263 'J' departed Stanleyville for Kisumu

1 x Catalina IB, FP310 'L' departed Kisumu for Mombasa

2 x Airmen arrived at Diego Suarez from Mombasa by BOAC
23 May 1943 1 x Airman arrived at Diego Suarez on attachment from Ivato
24 May 1943 1 x Catalina IB, FP313 'N' departed Kisumu for Mombasa
29 May 1945 2 x Catalina IBs, FP300 'K' and FP263 'J' departed Kisumu for Mombasa

No 265 Sqn Detachment formed at Mombasa, comprising: -

  • Sqn Ldr T P Seymour - Officer Commanding
  • Fg Off M H Maltby - attached to No 246 Wing
  • Plt Off L E Brown - attached to No 246 Wing
  • 5 x aircraft as follows: -
  • FP305 'C'
    • Sgt F T Palmer - Captain
    • Plt Off J W Pinkard - 2nd Pilot
    • Sgt J W Carroll - Navigator
  • FP263 'J'
    • Fg Off T N Temple-Murray - Captain
    • Fg Off A H Smith - 2nd Pilot
    • Sgt R F F Dawson - Navigator
  • FP300 'K'
    • Plt Off O B Benson - Captain
    • Sgt G W Harrison - 2nd Pilot
    • Sgt H G Gibbins - Navigator
  • FP310 'L'
    • Flt Sgt T J H Dawson - Captain
    • Sgt F J Arbon - 2nd Pilot
    • Sgt W G Jewers - Navigator
  • FP313 'N'
    • Plt Off C E Robin - Captain
    • Sgt G J Lynn - 2nd Pilot
    • Sgt H G Gibbins - Navigator
31 May 1943 4 x Catalina IBs, FP305 'C', FP263 'J', FP300 'K' and FP310 'L' remained at Mombasa for training purposes

1 x Catalina IB, FP313 'N' departed Mombasa and arrived at Diego Suarez for operational duty
June
 1 Jun 1943 Flying training programme commenced at Mombasa with aircraft 'J', 'K' and 'L'
29 Jun 1943 SE Section moved into its own workshop at Mombasa and personnel recalled from No 209 Sqn
July
 1 Jul 1943 1 x Flt Sgt and 99 airmen returned from attachment at RAF Eastleigh
 5 Jul 1943 2 x Parachute Packers arrived at Diego Suarez by BOAC and proceeded for duty at Arachart
 8 Jul 1943 No 265 Detachment, Pamanzi opened with the arrival of FP300 'K' from Mombasa
10 Jul 1943 Catalina FP310 'L' arrived at Pamanzi from Mombasa
14 Jul 1943 Catalina FP313 'N' arrived at Pamanzi from Mombasa

Main maintenance party proceeded from Mombasa to Pamanzi

Aircraft 'J' and 'C' remained at Mombasa
17 Jul 1943 Aircraft A/413 and Z/413 arrived from Ceylon on attachment to No 265 Sqn
19 Jul 1943 1 x Catalina IB, FP104 'H' departed RAF Stranraer for RAF Mount Batten but landed at Pembroke Dock with electrical problems
20 Jul 1943 1 x Catalina IB, FP104 'H' departed RAF Pembroke Dock for RAF Mount Batten
23 Jul 1943 Catalina A/413 arrived from Mombasa on attachment to No 265 Detachment, Pamanzi
25 Jul 1943 1 x Catalina IB, FP104 'H' departed RAF Mount Batten for Gibraltar
26 Jul 1943 1 x Catalina IB, FP104 'H' arrived in Gibraltar with SE unserviceable

1 x Sgt and 24 airmen returned from attachment in South Africa
28 Jul 1943 1 x Catalina IB, FP104 'H' departed Gibraltar for Bathurst
29 Jul 1943 Catalina IBs, FP305 'C' moved from Mombasa to Pamanzi
30 Jul 1943 1 x Catalina IB, FP104 'H' departed Bathurst for Jui

Catalina, FP300 'K' returned to Mombasa from Pamanzi
31 Jul 1943 1 x Catalina IB, FP311 'O' departed RAF Oban for RAF Mount Batten
August
 3 Aug 1943 1 x Catalina IB, FP311 'O' departed RAF Mount Batten for Gibraltar
 4 Aug 1943 1 x Catalina IB, FP311 'O' arrived in Gibraltar

J/265 moved from Mombasa to Diego Suarez

N//265 moved from Pamanzi to Diego Suarez

1 x officer and 14 x airmen arrived on 'J' and 'N'
 5 Aug 1943 1 x Catalina IB, FP104 'H' departed Jui for Lagos
 6 Aug 1943 1 x Catalina IB, FP311 'O' departed Gibraltar for Port Etienne

J/265 and N//265 moved from Diego Suarez join the detachment at Tulear
 7 Aug 1943 1 x Catalina IB, FP311 'O' departed Port Etienne for Bathurst
 8 Aug 1943 Detachment at Pamanzi comprised: - Z/413, A/413, R/205, P/205 and L/265

J/265 proceeded to Mauritius from Tulear
 9 Aug 1943 1 x Catalina IB, FP311 'O' departed Bathurst for Jui

1 x Catalina IB, FP104 'H' departed Lagos for Banana Creek
10 Aug 1943 N//265 proceeded to Mauritius from Tulear

1 x Catalina IB, FP104 'H' departed Banana Creek for Leopoldville
12 Aug 1943 1 x Catalina IB, FP104 'H' departed Leopoldville for Coquilhatville
13 Aug 1943 R/205 and Z/413 joined the Mauritius detachment from Diego Suarez

1 x Catalina IB, FP104 'H' departed Coquilhatville for Stanleyville
16 Aug 1943 N//265 returned to Tulear from Mauritius

Z/413 returned to Diego Suarez from Mauritius for return to Mombasa

1 x Catalina IB, FP311 'O' departed Jui for Lagos
17 Aug 1943 1 x Catalina IB, FP104 'H' departed Stanleyville for Kisumu

On arrival at Kisumu 'H' was retained for a major inspection with the crew continuing to Mombasa by rail.  The aircraft was then allocated to the FBCU for training purposes.
18 Aug 1943 J//265 returned to Tulear from Mauritius

1 x Catalina IB, FP311 'O' departed Lagos for Libreville
19 Aug 1943 1 x Catalina IB, FP311 'O' departed Libreville for Leopoldville
21 Aug 1943 1 x Catalina IB, FP311 'O' departed Leopoldville for Stanleyville
23 Aug 1943 1 x Catalina IB, FP311 'O' departed Stanleyville for Kisumu
24 Aug 1943 N//265 departed Tulear from Kisumu for major inspection
25 Aug 1943 Mauritius Detachment comprised: -  R/205 and P/205
26 Aug 1943 1 x Catalina IB, FP311 'O' departed Kisumu for Mombasa
31 Aug 1943 K/265 and A/413 departed Mombasa for Diego Suarez
September
 1 Sep 1943 O/265, K/265 and A/413 arrived at Diego Suarez from Mombasa

K/265 and A/413 departed Diego Suarez to join detachment at Tulear

5 x airmen arrived at Diego Suarez from Mombasa
 2 Sep 1943 1 x WO, 1 x Flt Sgt and 27 x airmen arrived at Diego Suarez from Mombasa on 'Selwein'

The Flight office and other sections and workshops moved into Squadron building located on the slipway at Diego Suarez

The 209 and 413 Sqn detachments in Mauritius were placed under No 265 Sqn
 4 Sep 1943 J/265 arrived at Diego Suarez from Tulear

L/265 arrived at Mombasa from Kisumu following major inspection
 3 Sep 1943 3 x Twin machine gun mounting manufactured from Cpl Kask's prototype arrived from RAF Eastleigh
 5 Sep 1943 J/265 departed Diego Suarez for Mombasa

C/265 arrived at Diego Suarez from Mombasa
 7 Sep 1943 J/265 departed  Mombasa for Kisumu
 9 Sep 1943 L/265 arrived at Diego Suarez from Mombasa
10 Sep 1943 O/265 departed Diego Suarez for Tulear
11 Sep 1943 N/265 arrived at Mombasa from Kisumu

L/265 departed Diego Suarez for Tulear
12 Sep 1943 1 x officer, 1 x Sgt and 112 x airmen arrived at Diego Suarez from Mombasa on board SS 'Manela', completing the detachments move to Diego Suarez
13 Sep 1943 N/265 departed Mombasa for Diego Suarez
14 Sep 1943 N/265 arrived at Diego Suarez from Mombasa

C/265 departed Diego Suarez for Tulear

The Orderly Room moved into a new squadron offices
15 Sep 1943 The Photographic Section moved into a new squadron building
17 Sep 1943 Detachment at Tulear received a signal recalling all aircraft back to Diego Suarez
18 Sep 1943 C/265 returned to Diego Suarez from Tulear

L/265 returned to Diego Suarez from Tulear

K/265 returned to Diego Suarez from Tulear

A/413 returned to Diego Suarez from Tulear

P/205 and R/205 returned to Diego Suarez from Mauritius
19 Sep 1943 A training programme for the four aircraft at Diego Suarez commenced

P/205 and R/205 departed Diego Suarez on return to No 205 Sqn in Seychelles

A/413 departed Diego Suarez on return to No 413 Sqn in Seychelles
20 Sep 1943 N/265 departed Diego Suarez for Seychelles

The following duties were allotted: -
  • Fire and Gas Officer
  • Welfare Officer
  • Sports Officer
  • Officer i/c National Savings
  • Officer i/c Messing
  • Defence Officer
  • Security Officer
  • Fg Off Lawton
  • Fg Off Maltby
  • Fg Off Temple-Murray
  • Flt Lt McCormick
  • Flt Lt McCormick
  • WO Virgin
  • Fg Off Brown
22 Sep 1943 The following duties were allotted: -
  • Navigation Officer
  • Gunnery Leader
  • Bombing Leader
  • Photographic Officer
  • Officer i/c Parachute Section
  • Fg Off Wilson
  • Flt Lt Sanders
  • Fg Off Cunningham
  • Fg Off Smith
  • Fg Off Benson
24 Sep 1943 C/265 and L/265 departed Diego Suarez for Seychelles detachment
25 Sep 1943 O/265 returned to Diego Suarez from Tulear
28 Sep 1943 O/265 departed Diego Suarez for Mombasa
29 Sep 1943 K/265 departed Mombasa on Islands Tour with AOC, East Africa

N/265 returned to Diego Suarez from Seychelles detachment
October
 4 Oct 1943 O/265 returned to Diego Suarez from Mombasa following engine change
 7 Oct 1943 N/265 departed Diego Suarez for Kisumu

K/265 returned to Diego Suarez from Mauritius on completion of Islands Tour with AOC, East Africa
 8 Oct 1943 O/265 departed Diego Suarez for Seychelles
10 Oct 1943 K/265 departed Diego Suarez for Seychelles
16 Oct 1943 O/265 returned to Diego Suarez from Seychelles

K/265 departed Seychelles for Mombasa
17 Oct 1943 O/265 departed Diego Suarez for Pamanzi
18 Oct 1943 J/265 returned to Diego Suarez from Seychelles
19 Oct 1943 J/265 departed Diego Suarez for Pamanzi
22 Oct 1943 Policy revised as follows: -
  • No 265 Sqn to maintain Pamanzi as advanced base and the detachment at Mombasa to move to Pamanzio
  • No 230 Sqn to take over the Mombasa detachment
23 Oct 1943 K/265 departed Mombasa for Pamanzi
28 Oct 1943 N/265 arrived at Mombasa from Kisumu
29 Oct 1943 K/265 departed Diego Suarez for Pamanzi
31 Oct 1943 C/265 departed Pamanzi for Kisumu
November
 6 Nov 1943 O/265 arrived at Diego Suarez from Pamanzi and then departed for Kisumu
 7 Nov 1943 O/265 departed Pamanzi for Kisumu
 8 Nov 1943 Sgt Crossland with 12 NCOs and airmen arrived from their detachment in South Africa
15 Nov 1943 A weapons training course commenced under the supervision of Sgt Trice
17 Nov 1943 1 NCO and 11 airmen proceeded on detachment to Kisumu

1 x Airman proceeded on detachment to Pamanzi
18 Nov 1943 HQ Staff moved into new Sectional Hutting buildings at Diego Suarez
19 Nov 1943 N/265 departed Diego Suarez for Aden
21 Nov 1943 L/265 and K/265 departed Diego Suarez for Seychelles
22 Nov 1943 The old Officers' Mess was demolished

Work of Officers' Mess cookhouse and operations block commenced

N/265 departed Aden for Masirah
25 Nov 1943 Work on first Airmen's barrack block (American Sectional Building) commenced
27 Nov 1943 Construction work on operations block completed
28 Nov 1943 J/265 arrived at Masirah from Aden
29 Nov 1943 1 x Safety Equipment Assistant arrived on posting
30 Nov 1943 1 x NCO and 5 x airmen arrived from their detachment in South Africa
December
 5 Dec 1943 L/265 departed Seychelles for Diego Suarez
 8 Dec 1943 L/265 departed Diego Suarez for Seychelles
11 Dec 1943 L/265 departed Seychelles for Mombasa
12 Dec 1943 L/265 departed Mombasa for Kisumu
14 Dec 1943 The Airmen's Canteen (Sectional Hutting) was completed and opened
17 Dec 1943 K/265 departed Seychelles for Diego Suarez
18 Dec 1943 K/265 arrived at Diego Suarez
24 Dec 1943 O/265 departed Kisumu for Mombasa
28 Dec 1943 10 x Airmen departed on M/230 to form the nucleus of a No 230 Sqn Detachment
31 Dec 1943 The squadron aircraft were located as follows: -
  • J/265 and N/265 at Masirah
  • O/265 at Adem en-route to Masirah
  • C/265 at Bendar Cassim
  • L/265 at Kisumu on major inspection
  • K/265 at Pamanzi
  • H/265 at Mombasa attached to FBCU

Source - No 265 ORB (AIR 27/1556)

This entry was last updated on 17/07/25

[Top of Page]