Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation

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No 403 (Fleet Fighter) Flight

[Jul 1923 | Jan 1924 | May 1924 | Jan 1925 | Feb 1925 | Mar 1925 | Apr 1925 | May 1925 | Jun 1925 | Jul 1925 | Mar 1926 | Jul 1926 | Dec 1926 | Jul 1927 | Jul 1928 | Sep 1928 | Jul 1929 | Jul 1930 | Aug 1930 | Sep 1930 | Oct 1930 | Nov 1930 | Dec 1930 | Jul 1931 | Jul 1932 | Jul 1933 | Jan 1934 | Jul 1934 | Jul 1935 | Jul 1936]

This was formed on 1 June 1923 at RAF Base Leuchars for service with HMS Hermes, equipped with Parnell Plovers and Nieuport Nightjars.

Date Location
 1 Jun 1923 RAF Base Leuchars

July 1923

Aircraft operated Shore Station/Ship Command/Group
Parnell Plover

Nieuport Nightjar

 RAF Base Leuchars Coastal area

 

Rank Name Date Notes
Plt Off Anthony E B Bateman 1 Jun 1923  
Plt Off Maurice Wiblin 1 Jun 1923  

Source - Air Force List July 1923

January 1924

Aircraft operated Shore Station/Ship Command/Group
Parnell Plover

Nieuport Nightjar

 RAF Base Leuchars Coastal area

 

 
Rank Name Date Notes
Flt Lt Albert W Fletcher  1 Jun 1923 Officer Commanding, DFC, AFC
Fg Off Thomas Brewin  1 Aug 1923  
Fg Off John J Comerford 17 Jul 1923  
Fg Off Eric D Cummings 25 Jun 1923 DFC
Fg Off Stephen H G Trower 22 Jun 1923  
Fg Off Leonard Young 20 Aug 1923  
Fg Off Godfrey W Dean 22 Jun 1923  

Source - Air Force List January 1924

Date Location
17 Mar 1924 HMS Hermes

May 1924

Aircraft operated Shore Station/Ship Command/Group
Parnell Plover

Nieuport Nightjar

 HMS Hermes Coastal area

 

 
Rank Name Date Notes
Flt Lt Albert W Fletcher  1 Jun 1923 Officer Commanding, DFC, AFC
Fg Off Thomas Brewin  1 Aug 1923  
Fg Off John B Lynch  1 Apr 1923  
Fg Off John J Comerford 17 Jul 1923  
Fg Off Stephen H G Trower 22 Jun 1923  
Fg Off Leonard Young 20 Aug 1923  
Fg Off Godfrey W Dean 22 Jun 1923  

Source - Air Force List May 1924

It re-equipped with Fairey Flycatchers in July 1924

Date Location
28 Jul 1924 RAF Base Gosport
13 Nov 1924 HMS Hermes
22 Nov 1924 RAF Hal Far

January 1925

Source - January 1925 Air Force List

February 1925

Source - February 1925 Air Force List

March 1925

Source - March 1925 Air Force List

Date Location
10 Mar 1925 HMS Hermes
23 Mar 1925 RAF Hal Far

April 1925

Source - April 1925 Air Force List

May 1925

Source - May 1925 Air Force List

June 1925

Source - June 1925 Air Force List

Date Location
30 Jun 1925 HMS Hermes
11 Jul 1925 RAF Hal Far
15 Jul 1925 HMS Hermes

July 1925

Aircraft operated Shore Station/Ship Command/Group
Fairey Flycatcher HMS Hermes RAF Mediterranean

 

 
Rank Name Date Notes
Flt Lt Albert W Fletcher  1 Jun 1923 Officer Commanding, OBE, DFC, AFC
Fg Off Thomas Brewin  1 Aug 1923  
Fg Off James V Medcalf 15 Nov 1924  
Fg Off Arthur A R Chipper  8 Oct 1924  
Fg Off Eric S Burns 14 Aug 1924 later A/Cdre
Fg Off John B Lynch  1 Apr 1923  
Fg Off Leonard Young 20 Aug 1923  
Fg Off Maurice A Maude 27 May 1925 Lt, RN
Fg Off Harry M A Day 27 May 1925 Lt, RN, AM
Fg Off Ian R Grant 27 May 1925 Lt, RN
Fg Off John H F Burroughs 27 May 1925 Lt, RN
Fg Off Edwin B Carnduff 27 May 1925 Lt, RN
Plt Off Norman Young 15 Nov 1924  

Source - Air Force List July 1925

Date Location
22 Sep 1925 RAF Base Kai Tak
 7 Jan 1926 HMS Hermes

March 1926

Aircraft operated Shore Station/Ship Command/Group
Fairey Flycatcher HMS Hermes RAF Mediterranean

 

 
Rank Name Date Notes
Flt Lt Albert W Fletcher  1 Jun 1923 Officer Commanding, OBE, DFC, AFC
Fg Off Thomas Brewin  1 Aug 1923  
Fg Off James V Medcalf 15 Nov 1924  
Fg Off Leonard Young 20 Aug 1923  
Fg Off Maurice A Maude 27 May 1925 Lt, RN
Fg Off Harry M A Day 27 May 1925 Lt, RN, AM
Fg Off Ian R Grant 27 May 1925 Lt, RN
Fg Off John H F Burroughs 27 May 1925 Lt, RN
Fg Off Edwin B Carnduff 27 May 1925 Lt, RN
Plt Off Norman Young 15 Nov 1924  

Source - March 1926 Air Force List

Date Location
 9 Apr 1926 RAF Hal Far
17 Jun 1926 HMS Hermes

July 1926

Aircraft operated Shore Station/Ship Command/Group
Fairey Flycatcher HMS Hermes RAF Mediterranean

 

 
Rank Name Date Notes
Flt Lt Walter E Swann  3 Apr 1926 Officer Commanding,
Fg Off Leonard Young 20 Aug 1923  
Fg Off Edward M C Abel-Smith  3 Apr 1926 Lt, RN
Fg Off Ian R Grant 27 May 1925 Lt, RN
Fg Off John H F Burroughs 27 May 1925 Lt, RN
Fg Off John D Ainger  3 Apr 1926 Lt, RN
Fg Off Edwin B Carnduff 27 May 1925 Lt, RN
Fg Off Andrew N Grey 10 Apr 1926 Lt, RN
Fg Off Owen C Jones 15 Mar 1926 Lt, RM
Fg Off George F Renwick 15 Mar 1926 Lt, RN
Fg Off Guy Willoughby 15 Mar 1926 Lt, RN

Source - Air Force List July 1926

Date Location
11 Aug 1926 RAF Hal Far
23 Aug 1926 HMS Hermes
14 Oct 1926 RAF Base Kai Tak
15 Nov 1926 HMS Hermes
 8 Nov 1926 RAF Base Kai Tak

December 1926

Aircraft operated Shore Station/Ship Command/Group
Fairey Flycatcher HMS Hermes RAF Mediterranean

 

 
Rank Name Date Notes
Flt Lt Walter E Swann  3 Apr 1926 Officer Commanding,
Fg Off Maurice Wiblin 18 Sep 1926  
Fg Off Edward M C Abel-Smith  3 Apr 1926 Lt, RN
Fg Off Ian R Grant 27 May 1925 Lt, RN
Fg Off John H F Burroughs 27 May 1925 Lt, RN
Fg Off Edwin B Carnduff 27 May 1925 Lt, RN
Fg Off John S Newall 18 Sep 1926 Armament duties
Fg Off Owen C Jones 15 Mar 1926 Lt, RM
Fg Off George F Renwick 15 Mar 1926 Lt, RN
Fg Off Guy Willoughby 15 Mar 1926 Lt, RN

Source - December 1926 Air Force List

Date Location
14 Dec 1926 HMS Hermes
16 Dec 1926 RAF Base Kai Tak
 7 Feb 1927 HMS Hermes
10 Feb 1927 RAF Base Kai Tak
25 Apr 1927 HMS Hermes
27 Apr 1927 RAF Base Kai Tak
 5 May 1927 HMS Hermes
22 Jun 1927 RAF Base Kai Tak

July 1927

Aircraft operated Shore Station/Ship Command/Group
Fairey Flycatcher HMS Hermes RAF Mediterranean

 

 
Rank Name Date Notes
Flt Lt Walter E Swann  3 Apr 1926 Officer Commanding,
Fg Off Maurice Wiblin 18 Sep 1926  
Fg Off Edward M C Abel-Smith  3 Apr 1926 Lt, RN
Fg Off Ian R Grant 27 May 1925 Lt, RN
Fg Off John H F Burroughs 27 May 1925 Lt, RN
Fg Off Edwin B Carnduff 27 May 1925 Lt, RN
Fg Off John S Newall 18 Sep 1926 Armament duties
Fg Off Owen C Jones 15 Mar 1926 Lt, RM
Fg Off George F Renwick 15 Mar 1926 Lt, RN
Fg Off Guy Willoughby 15 Mar 1926 Lt, RN

Source - Air Force List July 1927

Date Location
 8 Jul 1927 HMS Hermes
28 Oct 1927 RAF Base Gosport
19 Jan 1928 HMS Hermes
21-23 Jun 1928 Wei-hai-Wei (Detachment)

July 1928

Aircraft operated Shore Station/Ship Command/Group
Fairey Flycatcher HMS Hermes RAF Mediterranean

 

 
Rank Name Date Notes
Flt Lt Edward M C Abel-Smith  3 Apr 1926 Officer Commanding, Lt, RN
Fg Off Harry M A Day 20 Mar 1928 Capt, RM, AM
Fg Off George F Renwick 15 Mar 1926 Lt, RN
Fg Off John F M Robertson 26 Oct 1927 Lt, RN
Fg Off Arthur M Pilling 26 Oct 1927 Lt, RM
Fg Off Richard H Barrett  2 Jan 1928 Lt, RN
Fg Off Eric M Thompson  2 Jan 1928  

Source - Air Force List July 1928

September 1928

Aircraft operated Shore Station/Ship Command/Group
Fairey Flycatcher HMS Hermes RAF Mediterranean

 

 
Rank Name Date Notes
Flt Lt Edward M C Abel-Smith  3 Apr 1926 Officer Commanding, Lt Cdr, RN
Fg Off Harry M A Day 20 Mar 1928 Capt, RM, AM
Fg Off George F Renwick 15 Mar 1926 Lt, RN
Fg Off Arthur M Pilling 26 Oct 1927 Lt, RM
Fg Off Richard H Barrett  2 Jan 1928 Lt, RN
Fg Off Eric M Thompson  2 Jan 1928  
Fg Off John B M Wallis 20 Mar 1928 Armament duties; later A/Cdre

Source - September 1928 Air Force List

Date Location
22 Oct 1928 RAF Base Kai Tak
15 Nov 1928 HMS Hermes
19 Dec 1928 RAF Base Kai Tak
 2 Apr 1929 HMS Hermes
 5 Apr 1929 RAF Base Kai Tak
13 May 1929 HMS Hermes
 4 Jun - 17 Sep 1929 Wei-hai-Wei (Detachment)

July 1929

Aircraft operated Shore Station/Ship Command/Group
Fairey Flycatcher HMS Hermes China Station

 

 
Rank Name Date Notes
Flt Lt Tom O Bulteel 30 Jan 1929 Officer Commanding, Lt Cdr, RN
Fg Off Arthur M Pilling 26 Oct 1927 Lt, RM
Fg Off Richard H Barrett  2 Jan 1928 Lt, RN
Fg Off Humphrey W Metcalfe 19 Oct 1928 Lt, RN
Fg Off John B M Wallis 20 Mar 1928 Armament duties; later A/Cdre
Fg Off Peter D Heinemann 18 Sep 1928 Lt, RN
Fg Off John S Martin  8 Jan 1929 Lt, RM
Fg Off Donald G F W Macintyre 19 Oct 1928 Lt, RN
Plt Off Arthur D Bennett 15 Feb 1929  
Plt Off Edouard M F Grundy  2 May 1929 later AM

Source - Air Force List July 1929

Date Location
29 Oct 1929 RAF Base Kai Tak
25 Nov 1929 HMS Hermes
26 Nov 1929 RAF Base Kai Tak
 3 Jun 1930 HMS Hermes

July 1930

Aircraft operated Shore Station/Ship Command/Group
Fairey Flycatcher HMS Hermes China Station

 

 
Rank Name Date Notes
Flt Lt Tom O Bulteel 30 Jan 1929 Officer Commanding, Lt Cdr, RN
Fg Off Richard H Barrett  2 Jan 1928 Lt, RN
Fg Off Humphrey W Metcalfe 19 Oct 1928 Lt, RN
Fg Off John B M Wallis 20 Mar 1928 Armament duties; later A/Cdre
Fg Off Peter D Heinemann 18 Sep 1928 Lt, RN
Fg Off Donald G F W Macintyre 19 Oct 1928 Lt, RN
Fg Off Richard Brown 26 Jul 1929  
Plt Off Arthur D Bennett 15 Feb 1929  
Plt Off Edouard M F Grundy  2 May 1929 later AM

Source - Air Force List July 1930

August 1930

Source - August 1930 Air Force List

September 1930

Source - September 1930 Air Force List

October 1930

Source - October 1930 Air Force List

November 1930

Source - November 1930 Air Force List

December 1930

Source - December 1930 Air Force List

Date Location
23 Sep 1930 RAF Base Gosport
11 Nov 1930 HMS Hermes
20 Nov 1930 RAF Hal Far
24 Nov 1930 HMS Hermes
 2 Jan 1931 RAF Base Kai Tak
19 Jan 1931 HMS Hermes
23 Jan 1931 RAF Base Kai Tak
27 Jan 1931 HMS Hermes
30 Jan 1931 RAF Base Kai Tak
 5 Jun 1931 HMS Hermes
 9 Jun - 19 Aug 1931 Wei-hai-Wei (Detachment)

July 1931

Aircraft operated Shore Station/Ship Command/Group
Fairey Flycatcher HMS Hermes China Station

 

 
Rank Name Date Notes
Flt Lt George R M Robertson 29 Sep 1930 Officer Commanding, Lt Cdr, RN
Fg Off Richard Brown 26 Jul 1929  
Fg Off Richard H S Roundell  2 Mar1931 Lt, RN
Fg Off John H Charsley 29 Sep 1930 Lt, RN
Fg Off William H Parkin 29 Sep 1930 Lt, RN
Fg Off Arthur D Bennett 15 Feb 1929  
Fg Off Henry M King 29 Sep 1930 Lt, RN
Fg Off Denis A H Hornell  3 Jun 1931 Lt, RN
Fg Off Edouard M F Grundy  2 May 1929 later AM

 Source - Air Force List July 1931

Date Location
 7 Nov 1931 RAF Base Kai Tak
23 Apr 1932 HMS Hermes

July 1932

Aircraft operated Shore Station/Ship Command/Group
Fairey Flycatcher HMS Hermes China Station

 

 
Rank Name Date Notes
Flt Lt George R M Robertson 29 Sep 1930 Officer Commanding, Lt Cdr, RN
Fg Off Robert A Kilroy 19 Mar 1932 Lt, RN
Fg Off Richard Brown 26 Jul 1929  
Fg Off John H Charsley 29 Sep 1930 Lt, RN
Fg Off William H Parkin 29 Sep 1930 Lt, RN
Fg Off Denis A H Hornell  3 Jun 1931 Lt, RN
Fg Off John C Cockburn 22 Dec 1931 Lt, RN
Fg Off Hilary R L Hood  9 Oct 1931  
Fg Off James W C More 12 Feb 1932  
Plt Off Frank E Stokes 27 May 1932  

Source - Air Force List July 1932

It had also been providing aircraft to ships of the 5th Cruiser Squadron from July 1932 so its strength was increased to nine aircraft in January 1933.

Date Location
28 Oct 1932 RAF Base Kai Tak
28 Nov 1932 HMS Hermes
 2 Dec 1932 RAF Base Kai Tak
30 Jan 1933 HMS Hermes
17 Feb 1933 RAF Base Kai Tak
11 Apr 1933 HMS Hermes
13 Apr 1933 RAF Base Kai Tak
 1 May 1933 HMS Hermes
 3 Jun 1933 RAF Base Kai Tak

July 1933

Aircraft operated Naval Command Command/Group
Fairey Flycatcher 5th Cruiser Squadron, China RAF Far East

 

 
Rank Name Date Notes
Flt Lt George R M Robertson 29 Sep 1930 Officer Commanding, Lt Cdr, RN
Flt Lt Ian R Grant 16 Mar 1933 Lt Cdr, RN
Fg Off Robert A Kilroy 19 Mar 1932 Lt, RN
Fg Off Denis A H Hornell  3 Jun 1931 Lt, RN
Fg Off John C Cockburn 22 Dec 1931 Lt, RN
Fg Off John H T Boteler 23 Sep 1932 Lt, RN
Fg Off Hilary R L Hood  9 Oct 1931  
Fg Off Peter L Jamison 23 Sep 1932 Lt, RN
Fg Off James W C More 12 Feb 1932  
Fg Off Frank E Stokes 27 May 1932  

Source - Air Force List July 1933

January 1934

Aircraft operated Naval Command Command/Group
Fairey Flycatcher 5th Cruiser Squadron, China RAF Far East

 

 
Rank Name Date Notes
Flt Lt Ian R Grant 16 Mar 1933 Officer Commanding, Lt Cdr, RN
Fg Off John C Cockburn 22 Dec 1931 Lt, RN
Fg Off John H T Boteler 23 Sep 1932 Lt, RN
Fg Off Peter L Jamison 23 Sep 1932 Lt, RN

Source - January 1934 Air Force List

In May 1934 it received Hawker Osprey IIIs

July 1934

Aircraft operated Naval Command Command/Group
Hawker Osprey III 5th Cruiser Squadron, China RAF Far East

 

 
Rank Name Date Notes
Flt Lt Ian R Grant 16 Mar 1933 Officer Commanding, Lt Cdr, RN
Fg Off Vivian D Gask 19 Dec 1933 Lt, RN
Fg Off John H T Boteler 23 Sep 1932 Lt, RN
Fg Off James N Garnett 24 May 1934 Lt, RN
Fg Off Peter L Jamison 23 Sep 1932 Lt, RN

Source - Air Force List July 1934

The Flycatchers were withdrawn from the Flight in April 1935

July 1935

Aircraft operated Naval Command Command/Group
Hawker Osprey III 5th Cruiser Squadron, China RAF Far East

 

 
Rank Name Date Notes
Flt Lt Aylmer M Rundle 27 Aug 1934 Officer Commanding, Lt Cdr, RN
Fg Off George B Kingdon 21 Oct 1934 Lt, RN
Fg Off Vivian D Gask 19 Dec 1933 Lt, RN
Fg Off James N Garnett 24 May 1934 Lt, RN
Fg Off Henry J F Lane  5 Apr 1935 Lt, RN

Source - Air Force List July 1935

It received some Walrus' in June 1936

July 1936

Aircraft operated Naval Command Command/Group
Hawker Osprey III 5th Cruiser Squadron, China RAF Far East

 

 
Rank Name Date Notes
Flt Lt Edward O F Price 20 Aug 1935 Officer Commanding, Lt Cdr, RN
Fg Off George B Kingdon 21 Oct 1934 Lt, RN
Fg Off W P Lucy 16 Jan 1936 Lt, RN
Fg Off Henry J F Lane  5 Apr 1935 Lt, RN

Source - Air Force List July 1936

It was redesignated No 715 (Catapult) Squadron on 15 July 1936.

Re-equipment and movement dates are based on those shown in 'Squadrons of the Fleet Air Arm' by Ray Sturtivant

[Jul 1923 | Jan 1924 | May 1924 | Jan 1925 | Feb 1925 | Mar 1925 | Apr 1925 | May 1925 | Jun 1925 | Jul 1925 | Mar 1926 | Jul 1926 | Dec 1926 | Jul 1927 | Jul 1928 | Sep 1928 | Jul 1929 | Jul 1930 | Aug 1930 | Sep 1930 | Oct 1930 | Nov 1930 | Dec 1930 | Jul 1931 | Jul 1932 | Jul 1933 | Jan 1934 | Jul 1934 | Jul 1935 | Jul 1936]

This page was last updated on 08/07/19

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