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RCAF Dalton

[1943 | ]

RAF Dalton opened as satellite airfield for RAF Topcliffe in November 1941being raised to Satellite Station status in No 4 Group on 10 June 1942.  On 1 January 1943 it was transferred to No 6 (RCAF) Group, becoming a Sub-station of No 6 (RCAF) Training Base, Topcliffe on 25 April 1943.

 

Personnel Movements: Apr - Dec 1943

Rank Name Date Notes
April
No personnel movements for this month were recorded in the ORB
May
Plt Off A V Kennedy  3 May 1943 Armament Officer, ceased to be attached from No 6 Group on posting to No 420 Sqn
Plt Off H Wilkinson  5 May 1943 Arrived on posting from HQ, No 6 Group for Equipment duties and attached to RCAF Topcliffe
Fg Off C L Walton 12 May 1943 Attached from RCAF Base Topcliffe for Intelligence/Operations duties
Plt Off A J E Williams RAF 15 May 1943 Arrived on posting from RAF Horsham St Faith for Catering duties
Fg Off E F Dutton 17 May 1943 Attached from RCAF Middleton St George for Flying Control duties
Plt Off G W Wright RAF 19 May 1943 Armament Officer, ceased to be attached from No 6 Group on posting to S of AE, Henlow
Fg Off G Meara RAF 20 May 1943 Flying Control Officer, posted to RAF Oakington
June
Fg Off G E W Denny  1 Jun 1943 Arrived on posting as OC, No 2805 Sqn RAF Regiment detachment
Flt Lt H C Raney  2 Jun 1943 Attached from HQ, No 6 Group for temporary Intelligence duties
Fg Off W Page RAF  7 Jun 1943 Flying Control Officer, posted to RAF Base Topcliffe
Flt Lt Hamill  8 Jun 1943 Attached to RCAF Middleton St George for temporary Intelligence duties
Fg Off C L Walton  8 Jun 1943 Ceased to be attached on transfer to RCAF Dishforth for Intelligence/Operations duties
SO G Holbech WAAF  8 Jun 1943 OC, WAAF Det, posted to RAF Wyton
SO M J Buchanan WAAF  9 Jun 1943 Attached from RCAF Dishforth for temporary duty as OC, WAAF Det
ASO B Y Marsten WAAF 10 Jun 1943 Arrived from RCAF Middleton St George for duty as OC, WAAF Det
SO M J Buchanan WAAF 11 Jun 1943 Ceased to be attached from RCAF Dishforth for temporary duty as OC, WAAF Det
Fg Off F Cheetham 17 Jun 1943 Reported for temporary duty as Adjutant with No 1660 HCU
Flt Lt H C Raney 18 Jun 1943 Ceased to be attached from No 6 Group on posting to RCAF Base Topcliffe for Intelligence duties at Dalton
Fg Off E F Dutton 18 Jun 1943 Flying Control Officer ceased to attached from RCAF Middleton St George
Flt Lt R G Burton 18 Jun 1943 Arrived from RCAF Base Topcliffe for Equipment duties
Flt Lt W B Jennings 21 Jun 1943 Chaplain, ceased to be attached from No 5 District HQ on posting to RCAF Middleton St George
Flt Lt H N Taylor 25 Jun 1943 Attached from No 5 District HQ for duty as Chaplain (Protestant)
July
Flt Lt H C Raney  4 Jul 1943 Intelligence Officer, attached to RAF Highgate for Intelligence Course
APO C S Shimmin RAF  8 Jul 1943 Arrived on posting from No 5 OTU for duty as Electrical Engineering Officer (Fg Off post)
Fg Off E F Dutton  9 Jul 1943 Flying Control Officer attached to HQ, No 6 Group
Flt Lt H C Raney  9 Jul 1943 Intelligence Officer, ceased to be attached to RAF Highgate for Intelligence Course
Plt Off E C Dashper RAF 12 Jul 1943 Arrived on posting from HQ No 6 Group for duty as Signals Officer (Flt Lt post)
Act Sqn Ldr M M Smith 13 Jul 1943 Engineer Officer, posted to RCAF Base Linton-on-Ouse, retaining acting rank
Fg Off E F Dutton 13 Jul 1943 Flying Control Officer posted to RCAF Linton-on-Ouse
Plt Off N S Greig 13 Jul 1943 Ceased to be attached from HQ No 6 Group for temporary duty as Signals Officer
Fg Off H J Walker 14 Jul 1943 Arrived on posting from No 3 PRC for duty as Engineer Officer
Plt Off J Hodkinson RAF 13 Jul 1943 Attached to RCAF Middleton St George or temporary Meteorological duties
Fg Off N E Geere RAF 21 Jul 1943 Arrived on posting for flying duties with No 1691 (B & G) Flight
SO J M Bennett WAAF 22 Jul 1943 Arrived on posting from RCAF Dishforth for duty as Catering Officer
August
There are no entries for this month in the ORB
September
Maj P M S Gedge  1 Sep 1943 Green Howards, arrived on posting for duty as Chief Instructor, No 6 Group Battle School
Fg Off J H Lewis  1 Sep 1943 Arrived on posting for duty as Administrative Officer, No 6 Group Battle School
Plt Off J Hodkinson RAF  6 Sep 1943 Meteorological Officer, returned from attachment to RCAF Croft
Sqn Ldr F G Ferris MC  7 Sep 1943 Arrived on attachment to Battle School pending posting to RCAF Dishforth as LDA
Maj R E A Jones  8 Sep 1943 Relinquished command of No 6 Group Battle School
Maj P M S Gedge  8 Sep 1943 Green Howards, assumed command of No 6 Group Battle School
Sqn Ldr F G Ferris MC 10 Sep 1943 Ceased to be attached to Battle School on posting to RCAF Dishforth as LDA
Flt Lt F N Pickford 16 Sep 1943 Adjutant, No 1666 HCU returned from Senior Administration Course
Sgt T W Draper 18 Sep 1943 Drowned in a training accident
Flt Lt F N Pickford 22 Sep 1943 Adjutant, No 1666 HCU posted to No 433 Sqn
Fg Off H H Harris 23 Sep 1943 Arrived on posting for duty as Adjutant, No 1666 HCU
Flt Lt R G Burton 25 Sep 1943 Equipment Officer, admitted to Northallerton Hospital and placed on the Serious Ill list
Wg Cdr C J H Holms 28 Sep 1943 Arrived on posting from No 3 PRC pending assuming command and proceeded on a series of attachments
October
Sgt T W Draper  3 Oct 1943 His body was recovered from the River Swale and taken to RCAF Topcliffe Mortuary
Wg Cdr C J H Holms  7 Oct 1943 Assumed command of RCAF Dalton, wef 30 Sep 1943
Sqn Ldr W S Taylor  7 Oct 1943 Relinquished command of RCAF Dalton and assumed duties of Senior Administrative Officer
Sqn Ldr H N Taylor 12 Oct 1943 Chaplain (Protestant), posted to RCAF Leeming
Fg Off J P Walmsley 12 Oct 1943 Flying Control Officer, posted to RCAF Middleton St George
Sqn Ldr W S Taylor 22 Oct 1943 Senior Administrative Officer, posted to RCAF Skipton-on-Swale
November
Sqn Ldr W G Harrison  2 Nov 1943 Arrived on posting for duty as Senior Administrative Officer
Plt Off W Hough 18 Nov 1943 MT Officer, posted to RCAF HQ, London
Sqn Ldr R K McConnel 26 Nov 1943 Attached from No 61 Base for Administrative duties (supernumerary)
December
Flt Lt E C Dashper RAF  5 Dec 1943 Signals Officer, posted to RCAF Dishforth
Fg Off Pearce  5 Dec 1943 Arrived on posting from No 1659 HCU for duty as Signals Officer
SO K Marsden WAAF  5 Dec 1943 WAAF 'G' Officer, posted to RCAF Dishforth
SO M Bell WAAF  5 Dec 1943 WAAF 'G' Officer, arrived on posting from RCAF Topcliffe
SO Wrigley WAAF  5 Dec 1943 Arrived on posting from RCAF HQ for duty as Catering Officer
Fg Off Harvie 11 Dec 1942 Attached to conduct a Radar Course for Radar Mechs
Flt Lt S Yarrow 20 Dec 1943 Arrived on posting to the Battle School from No 16 ITW
Fg Off J D Cairns 22 Dec 1943 Arrived on posting from RCAF Topcliffe for Flying Control duties
Fg Off C J Lewis 29 Dec 1943 Flying Control Officer, promoted to Flt Lt
Fg Off P Mussen 29 Dec 1943 Flying Control Officer, promoted to Flt Lt

Source - RCAF Dalton ORB (AIR 28/180)

Organisational Movements: Apr - Dec 1943

Date Notes
April
25 Apr 1943 RCAF Dalton became as a  Satellite station of No 6 (RCAF) Group Training Base, Topcliffe
May
 1 May 1942 The following units were located at the station on this date were: -
  • No 428 (RCAF) Sqn
  • No 4296 AA Flight, RAF Regiment
  • No 5006 Works Sqn detachment
  • Air Fighting Development Unit detachment

The strength of Station HQ on this date was: -

  Officers ORs
RCAF 3 152
RAF 3 109
WAAF 1 48
 3 May 1943 No 424 Sqn moved to Dalton from RCAF Leeming
15 May 1943 Ground party of No 424 Sqn entrained at Thirk on proceeding overseas
31 May 1943 The strength of Units at the Station on this date was: -
 
  Officers ORs
RCAF (SHQ) 5 145
RAF (SHQ) 3 100
WAAF (SHQ) 1 62
No 428 Sqn 50 361
No 424 Sqn 35 36
No 4296 AA Flight 1 34
No 5006 Works Sqn det 0 29
AFDU Detachment 3 11
June
 1 Jun 1943 No 5006 Works Sqn detachment moved to RCAF Leeming on ceasing to be attached

No 4296 AA Flight disbanded

A Flight of No 2805 AA Sqn, RAF Regiment arrived from RAF Castle Camps

The strength of Units at the Station on this date was: -

 
  Officers ORs
RCAF (SHQ) 5 145
RAF (SHQ) 3 100
WAAF (SHQ) 1 62
No 428 Sqn 50 361
No 2805 AA Sqn det 1 59
AFDU Detachment 3 11
 3 Jun 1943 No 1535 (BAT) Flight arrived from RCAF Middleton St George
 4 Jun 1943 No 428 (RCAF) Sqn moved from Dalton to RCAF Middleton St George by air and road
 5 Jun 1943 No 1666 HCU commenced forming
20 Jun 1943 1 x Halifax aircraft arrived from RAF Gransden Lodge for No 1666 HCU
30 Jun 1943 The strength of Units at the Station on this date was: -
 
  RCAF RAF WAAF
  Officers ORs Officers ORs Officers ORs
SHQ 6 145 2 53 1 91
No 1666 HCU 0 154 0 24 0 8
No 1535 (BAT) Flight - Aircrew 1 2 2 2    
No 1535 (BAT) Flight - Ground staff 0 51 0 17    
No 2805 AA Sqn det     1 59    
AFDU Detachment 3 11 3 11 3 11
July
 1 Jul 1943 The strength of Units at the Station on this date was: -
 
  RCAF RAF WAAF
  Officers ORs Officers ORs Officers ORs
SHQ 6 165 2 53 1 91
No 1666 HCU 0 154 0 24 0 8
No 1535 (BAT) Flight - Aircrew 1 2 2 2    
No 1535 (BAT) Flight - Ground staff 0 51 0 17    
No 2805 AA Sqn det     1 55    
AFDU Detachment     3 11    
12 Jul 1943 3 x Martinet aircraft pending the formation of No 1691 (Bombing & Gunnery) Flight
16 Jul 1943 3 x Martinet aircraft pending the formation of No 1691 (Bombing & Gunnery) Flight
31 Jul 1943 The strength of Units at the Station on this date was: -
 
  RCAF RAF WAAF
  Officers ORs Officers ORs Officers ORs
SHQ 8 154 5 50 1 83
No 1666 HCU 2 176 0 32 0 32
No 1535 (BAT) Flight - Aircrew 1 2 1 1    
No 1535 (BAT) Flight - Ground staff 0 48 1 16    
No 1691 (B & G) Flight     1 16    
No 2805 AA Sqn det     1 60    
AFDU Detachment     3 16    
August
There are no entries for this month in the ORB
September
 2 Sep 1943 1 x Halifax, W1007, delivered from No 48 MU, bring No 1666 HCU up to full strength
 7 Sep 1943 No 2805 AA Sqn, Detachment proceeded on advanced training (3 weeks)

No 4311 AA Flight arrived on attachment
16 Sep 1943 No 6 (RCAF) Group Training Base, Topcliffe was redesignated No 61 (RCAF) Base
30 Sep 1943 The strength of Units at the Station on this date was: -
 
  RCAF RAF RNZAF RCAF (WD) WAAF
  Officers ORs Officers ORs Officers ORs Officers ORs Officers ORs
SHQ 12 145 5 41 0 0 0 0 1 72
AFDU Detachment 2 0 1 8 0 1 0 0 0 0
October
21 Oct 1943 No 1666 HCU moved to RCAF Wombleton
31 Oct 1943 The strength of Units at the Station on this date was: -
 
  RCAF RAF Polish AF RCAF (WD) WAAF
  Officers ORs Officers ORs Officers ORs Officers ORs Officers ORs
SHQ 8 141 2 43 0 0 0 0 3 76
AFDU Detachment 3 0 1 7 0 1 0 0 0 0
November
 1 Nov 1943 72 x Electricians attached for a course on Lancaster and Halifax aircraft
 5 Nov 1943 67 x Armourers (Guns) attached for a course on Lancaster and Halifax aircraft
 6 Nov 1943 Personnel of No 420 Sqn arrived at the station on its return from overseas
30 Nov 1943 The strength of Units at the Station on this date was: -
 
 
  RCAF RAF RAAF RNZAF WAAF
  Officers ORs Officers ORs Officers ORs Officers ORs Officers ORs
  A G A G A G A G A G A G A G A G A G A G
SHQ 0 6 0 216 0 2 0 50 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0   3   93
1691 Flight 4 0 3 40 1 0 4 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0   0   1
420 (RCAF) Sqn 39 5 64 338 3 0 21 0 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 0   0   0
AFDU Detachment 1 0 0 6 2 0 0 8 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0   0   0
No 2805 Sqn, No 2 Flight 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 48 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0   0   0
  RCAF RAF RAAF Army WAAF
  Officers ORs Officers ORs Officers ORs Officers ORs Officers ORs
  A G A G A G A G A G A G   A G A G
No 6 Group Battle School 79 2 228 14 1 2 23 25 2 0 0 0 1 3   0   0

A = Aircrew

G = Ground staff
December
10 Dec 1942 Advance Party of No 420 Sqn departed for RCAF Tholthorpe
12 Dec 1942 Main Party of No 420 Sqn departed for RCAF Tholthorpe
13 Dec 1942 Rear Party of No 420 Sqn departed for RCAF Tholthorpe

Radar Course for Radar Mechanics commenced
31 Dec 1943 The strength of Units at the Station on this date was: -
 
 
  RCAF RAF RAAF RNZAF WAAF
  Officers ORs Officers ORs Officers ORs Officers ORs Officers ORs
  A G A G A G A G A G A G A G A G A G A G
SHQ 0 6 0 147 0 2 0 49 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0   3   84
1691 Flight 4 0

39

 1 0

12

 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0   0   1
AFDU Detachment 1 0 0 6 2 0 0 8 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 0   0   0
No 2805 Sqn, No 2 Flight 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 56 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0   0   0
  RCAF RAF RAAF Army WAAF
  Officers ORs Officers ORs Officers ORs Officers ORs Officers ORs
  A G A G A G A G A G A G   A G A G
No 6 Group Battle School 72 2 153 14 1 3 18 19 0 0 2 0 1 4   0   0

A = Aircrew

G = Ground staff

Source - RCAF Dalton ORB (AIR 28/180)

This entry was last updated on 01/12/25

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