Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation
No 440 (Fleet Reconnaissance) 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]
May 1923 |
Source - May 1923 Air Force List
This was formed on 1 May 1923 at RAF Lee-on-Solent from No 205 Squadron equipped with six Supermarine Seagull II amphibians. However in the July 1923 AFL (and later editions) it is shown as being on the establishment of RAF Base Leuchars.
Date | Location |
1 May 1923 | RAF Lee-on-Solent* |
Aircraft operated | Shore Station/Ship | Command/Group |
Supermarine Seagull II | RAF Lee-on-Solent* | Coastal Area |
Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
Flt Lt | Frederick W Walker | 1 Apr 1923 | Officer Commanding, DSC, AFC; later A/Cdre |
Flt Lt | Leonard G Maxton | 1 Apr 1923 | |
Fg/Obs Off | Seymour C Harker | 1 Apr 1923 | |
Fg/Obs Off | William J Brown | 1 Apr 1923 | |
Fg/Obs Off | William S Watson | 29 Apr 1923 | |
Fg/Obs Off | Frank Porter | 1 Apr 1923 | |
Fg/Obs Off | George R Hicks | 1 Apr 1923 | DFC |
Fg/Obs Off | Arthur B Ball | 1 Apr 1923 | |
Fg/Obs Off | Arthur A R Chipper | 1 Apr 1923 | |
Fg/Obs Off | Henry L Beatty | 1 Apr 1923 | |
Fg Off | Narborough H D'Aeth | 1 Apr 1923 | later AVM |
Plt Off | Francis G Cator | 1 Apr 1923 | |
Plt Off | Gilbert E Nicholetts | 1 Apr 1923 | AFC; later AM |
Source - Air Force List July 1923
Aircraft operated | Shore Station/Ship | Command/Group |
Supermarine Seagull II | RAF Lee-on-Solent* | Coastal Area |
Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
Flt Lt | Frederick W Walker | 1 Apr 1923 | Officer Commanding, DSC, AFC; later A/Cdre |
Flt Lt | Leonard G Maxton | 1 Apr 1923 | |
Flt Lt | Seymour C Harker | 1 Apr 1923 | |
Flt Lt | William S Watson | 29 Apr 1923 | |
Fg/Obs Off | Glynguard R Burge | 19 Nov 1923 | |
Fg/Obs Off | Charles C K Dagg | 22 Jun 1923 | AFC |
Fg/Obs Off | George R Hicks | 1 Apr 1923 | DFC |
Fg/Obs Off | Sidney T Tipper | 26 Nov 1923 | |
Fg/Obs Off | Arthur B Ball | 1 Apr 1923 | |
Fg/Obs Off | Robert H Rose | 5 Nov 1923 | |
Fg Off | Narborough H D'Aeth | 1 Apr 1923 | later AVM |
Plt Off | Francis G Cator | 1 Apr 1923 | |
Plt Off | Gilbert E Nicholetts | 1 Apr 1923 | AFC; later AM |
*It is shown as still being on the establishment of RAF Base Leuchars.
Source - Air Force List Januy 1924
Date | Location |
4 Mar 1924 | HMS Eagle |
15 May 1924 | RAF Lee-on-Solent |
29 May 1924 | HMS Eagle |
9 Jun 1924 | RAF Calafrana |
2 Jul 1924 | HMS Eagle |
17 Jul 1924 | RAF Calafrana |
Aircraft operated | Shore Station/Ship | Command/Group |
Supermarine Seagull II | HMS Eagle* | Coastal Area |
Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
Flt Lt | Frederick W Walker | 1 Apr 1923 | Officer Commanding, DSC, AFC; later A/Cdre |
Flt Lt | Leonard G Maxton | 1 Apr 1923 | |
Flt Lt | Seymour C Harker | 1 Apr 1923 | |
Flt Lt | William S Watson | 29 Apr 1923 | |
Fg/Obs Off | Glynguard R Burge | 19 Nov 1923 | |
Fg/Obs Off | Charles C K Dagg | 22 Jun 1923 | AFC |
Fg/Obs Off | George R Hicks | 1 Apr 1923 | DFC |
Fg/Obs Off | Sidney T Tipper | 26 Nov 1923 | |
Fg/Obs Off | Arthur B Ball | 1 Apr 1923 | |
Fg/Obs Off | Robert H Rose | 5 Nov 1923 | |
Fg Off | Narborough H D'Aeth | 1 Apr 1923 | later AVM |
Plt Off | Francis G Cator | 1 Apr 1923 | |
Plt Off | Gilbert E Nicholetts | 1 Apr 1923 | AFC; later AM |
*It is shown as still being on the establishment of RAF Base Leuchars.
Source - Air Force List May 1924
Date | Location |
9 Dec 1924 | HMS Eagle |
19 Dec 1924 | RAF Gosport/Lee-on-Solent |
Source - January 1925 Air Force List
The Seagulls were replaced by Fairey IIIDs in January 1925
Source - February 1925 Air Force List
Date | Location |
21 Feb 1925 | HMS Eagle |
1 Mar 1925 | RAF Hal Far |
Source - March 1925 Air Force List
Source - April 1925 Air Force List
Date | Location |
6 Apr 1925 | HMS Eagle |
30 Apr 1925 | RAF Calafrana |
Source - May 1925 Air Force List
Source - June 1925 Air Force List
Aircraft operated | Shore Station/Ship | Command/Group |
Fairey IIID | HMS Eagle/RAF Base Malta | RAF Mediterranean |
Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
Flt Lt | Frederick W Walker | 1 Apr 1923 | Officer Commanding, DSC, AFC; later A/Cdre |
Fg/Obs Off | Glynguard R Burge | 19 Nov 1923 | |
Fg/Obs Off | Charles C K Dagg | 22 Jun 1923 | AFC |
Fg/Obs Off | Robert H Rose | 5 Nov 1923 | |
Fg Off | Leonard K Barnes | 5 Sep 1924 | later A/Cdre |
Fg/Obs Off | Francis G Cator | 1 Apr 1923 | |
Naval Observer Officers employed with unit | |||
Lt | Henry L Carslake | 24 May 1924 | |
Lt | Harold D Caslon | 30 May 1924 | |
Lt | Robert H Ellis | 24 Jan 1924 | |
Lt | Edward L D Moore | 8 Jul 1924 | |
Lt | Benjamin J L W Rogers-Tillstone | 24 Jan 1924 | |
Lt | Henry T | 24 Jan 1924 | |
Lt | Frank M Walton | 24 May 1924 |
Source - Air Force List July 1925
Date | Location |
15 Jul 1925 | HMS Hermes |
18 Jul 1925 | Alexandria |
7 Aug 1925 | HMS Eagle |
3 Oct 1925 | RAF Calafrana |
26 Oct 1925 | HMS Eagle |
31 Oct 1925 | RAF Hal Far/Calafrana |
19 Feb 1926 | HMS Eagle |
Aircraft operated | Shore Station/Ship | Command/Group |
Fairey IIID | HMS Eagle/RAF Base Malta | RAF Mediterranean |
Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
Flt Lt | Edgar H Bryant | 5 May 1925 | Officer Commanding |
Flt Lt | Eric Brewerton | 6 Feb 1926 | Officer Commanding (Designate), DFC |
Fg/Obs Off | Charles C K Dagg | 22 Jun 1923 | AFC |
Fg/Obs Off | Robert H Rose | 5 Nov 1923 | |
Fg Off | Leonard K Barnes | 5 Sep 1924 | later A/Cdre |
Fg Off | Godfrey E Wildman-Lushington | 20 Jun 1925 | Capt, RM |
Fg Off | Gilbert E Nicholetts | 15 Jul 1925 | later AM |
Fg Off | Reginald H S Teak | 12 Dec 1925 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | John N Sparks | 12 Dec 1925 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | Thomas L G Bryan | 9 Jan 1926 | Lt, RM |
Fg Off | Frederick G Wynne | 9 Jan 1926 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | Frank H G Oliphant | 9 Jan 1926 | Lt, RN |
Naval Observer Officers employed with unit | |||
Lt | Henry L Carslake | 24 May 1924 | |
Lt | Harold D Caslon | 30 May 1924 | |
Lt | Robert H Ellis | 24 Jan 1924 | |
Lt | Benjamin J L W Rogers-Tillstone | 24 Jan 1924 | |
Lt | Frank M Walton | 24 May 1924 |
Source - March 1926 Air Force List
Date | Location |
25 Mar 1926 | RAF Hal Far |
22 Jun 1926 | HMS Eagle |
Aircraft operated | Shore Station/Ship | Command/Group |
Fairey IIID | HMS Eagle/RAF Base Malta | RAF Mediterranean |
Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
Flt Lt | Eric Brewerton | 6 Feb 1926 | Officer Commanding, DFC |
Fg/Obs Off | Charles C K Dagg | 22 Jun 1923 | AFC |
Fg/Obs Off | Robert H Rose | 5 Nov 1923 | |
Fg Off | Leonard K Barnes | 5 Sep 1924 | later A/Cdre |
Fg Off | Godfrey E Wildman-Lushington | 20 Jun 1925 | Capt, RM |
Fg Off | Gilbert E Nicholetts | 15 Jul 1925 | later AM |
Fg Off | Reginald H S Teak | 12 Dec 1925 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | John N Sparks | 12 Dec 1925 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | Charles N Lentaigne | 10 Apr 1925 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | Philip Oliver | 10 Apr 1925 | Lt, RN |
Naval Observer Officers employed with unit | |||
Lt | Henry L Carslake | 24 May 1924 | |
Lt | Harold D Caslon | 30 May 1924 | |
Lt | Robert H Ellis | 24 Jan 1924 | |
Lt | Benjamin J L W Rogers-Tillstone | 24 Jan 1924 | |
Lt | Frank M Walton | 24 May 1924 |
Source - Air Force List July 1926
Date | Location |
18 Sep 1926 | HMS Hermes |
Aircraft operated | Shore Station/Ship | Command/Group |
Fairey IIID | HMS Eagle/RAF Base Malta | RAF Mediterranean |
Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
Flt Lt | Eric Brewerton | 6 Feb 1926 | Officer Commanding, DFC |
Fg Off | Godfrey E Wildman-Lushington | 20 Jun 1925 | Capt, RM |
Fg Off | Herbert G Brookman | 18 Sep 1926 | Armament duties |
Fg Off | Stephen Richardson | 18 Sep 1926 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | John N Sparks | 12 Dec 1925 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | Charles N Lentaigne | 10 Apr 1925 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | Philip Oliver | 10 Apr 1925 | Lt, RN |
Naval Observer Officers employed with unit | |||
Lt | Harold D Caslon | 30 May 1924 | |
Lt | Benjamin J L W Rogers-Tillstone | 24 Jan 1924 | |
Lt | Frank M Walton | 24 May 1924 |
Source - December 1926 Air Force List
Date | Location |
10 Feb 1927 | RAF Base Kai Tak |
xx xxx 1927 | HMS Hermes |
28 Apr 1927 | RAF Base Kai Tak |
5 May 1927 | HMS Hermes |
Aircraft operated | Shore Station/Ship | Command/Group |
Fairey IIID | HMS Eagle/RAF Base Malta | RAF Mediterranean |
Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
Flt Lt | Eric Brewerton | 6 Feb 1926 | Officer Commanding, DFC |
Flt Lt | John A McDonald | 26 Jan 1927 | Signal duties |
Fg Off | Noel V Morton | 26 Jan 1927 | |
Fg Off | Herbert G Brookman | 18 Sep 1926 | Armament duties |
Fg Off | Stephen Richardson | 18 Sep 1926 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | John N Sparks | 12 Dec 1925 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | Charles N Lentaigne | 10 Apr 1925 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | Alan G Warren | 6 Nov 1926 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | Casper John | 16 Dec 1926 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | John F F Pain | 26 Jan 1926 | |
Fg Off | Gerald H Loughnan | 26 Jan 1926 | |
Fg Off | Frederick C Rowland | 26 Jan 1926 | |
Fg Off | Stanley C Parker | 27 Jan 1927 | |
Fg Off | Leslie W Cannon | 27 Jan 1927 | later AVM |
Fg Off | Faulkner M V May | 26 Jan 1926 | |
Fg Off | Geoffrey H Walker | 27 Jan 1927 | |
Fg Off | Stanley J Gilbert | 27 Jan 1927 | |
Fg Off | Pascoe E Grenfell | 27 Jan 1927 | |
Plt Off | Eric B Webb | 26 Jan 1926 | |
Plt Off | John V Yonge | 27 Jan 1927 |
Source - Air Force List July 1927
Fairey IIIFs replaced the IIIDs in November 1927.
Date | Location |
28 Oct 1927 | RAF Base Gosport |
17 Jan 1928 | HMS Hermes |
10 Apr 1928 | Kowloon |
16 Apr 1928 | HMS Hermes |
10 Apr 1928 | Kowloon |
21-23 Jun 1928 | Wei-hai-Wei (Detachment) |
Aircraft operated | Shore Station/Ship | Command/Group |
Fairey IIIF | HMS Eagle/RAF Base Malta | RAF Mediterranean |
Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
Flt Lt | Herbert G Brookman | 18 Sep 1926 | Officer Commanding, Armament duties |
Fg Off | Alan G Warren | 6 Nov 1926 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | Casper John | 16 Dec 1926 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | James E Fenton | 2 Jan 1928 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | Arthur O Watson | 22 Dec 1927 | Lt, RN |
Source - Air Force List July 1928
Aircraft operated | Shore Station/Ship | Command/Group |
Fairey IIIF | HMS Eagle/RAF Base Malta | RAF Mediterranean |
Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
Flt Lt | Frederick L Pearce | 13 Jul 1923 | Officer Commanding; later A/Cdre |
Flt Lt | Herbert G Brookman | 18 Sep 1926 | Armament duties |
Fg Off | Alan G Warren | 6 Nov 1926 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | Casper John | 16 Dec 1926 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | James E Fenton | 2 Jan 1928 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | Arthur O Watson | 22 Dec 1927 | Lt, RN |
Plt Off | Anthony G C Somerhough | 13 Jul 1928 |
Source - September 1928 Air Force List
Date | Location |
28 Sep - 4 Oct 1928 | Wei-hai-Wei (Detachment) |
31 Oct 1928 | RAF Base Kai Tak (Detachment) |
xx Nov 1928 | RAF Base Kai Tak |
26 Nov 1928 | HMS Hermes |
17 Dec 1928 | RAF Base Kai Tak |
13 May 1929 | HMS Hermes |
Aircraft operated | Shore Station/Ship | Command/Group |
Fairey IIIF | HMS Eagle/RAF Base Malta | RAF Mediterranean |
Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
Flt Lt | Frederick L Pearce | 13 Jul 1923 | Officer Commanding; later A/Cdre |
Fg Off | Casper John | 16 Dec 1926 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | Richard P Garnett | 2 May 1929 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | James E Fenton | 2 Jan 1928 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | Arthur O Watson | 22 Dec 1927 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | Henry D Smallwood | 2 May 1929 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | Anthony G C Somerhough | 13 Jul 1928 |
Source - Air Force List July 1929
Date | Location |
29 Oct 1929 | RAF Base Kai Tak |
3 Jun 1930 | HMS Hermes |
Aircraft operated | Shore Station/Ship | Command/Group |
Fairey IIIF | HMS Hermes | China Station |
Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
Flt Lt | Frederick L Pearce | 13 Jul 1923 | Officer Commanding; later A/Cdre |
Fg Off | Richard P Garnett | 2 May 1929 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | Henry D Smallwood | 2 May 1929 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | Gustaf G R Rodd | 10 Jan 1930 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | Patrick W Humphreys | 10 Jan 1930 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | Charles E St J Beamish | 13 Jun 1929 |
Source - Air Force List July 1930
Source - August 1930 Air Force List
Source - September 1930 Air Force List
Source - October 1930 Air Force List
Source - November 1930 Air Force List
Source - December 1930 Air Force List
Date | Location |
28 Jul 1930 | RAF Base Kai Tak |
7 Aug 1930 | HMS Hermes |
23 Sep 1930 | RAF Base Gosport |
11 Nov 1930 | HMS Hermes |
12 Nov 1930 | RAF Hal Far |
24 Nov 1930 | HMS Hermes |
22-27 Dec 1930 | RAF Base Singapore (Detachment) |
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 to Wei-hai-Wei |
Aircraft operated | Shore Station/Ship | Command/Group |
Fairey IIIF | HMS Hermes | RAF Far East |
Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
Fg Off | Richard P Garnett | 2 May 1929 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | John C Richards | 29 Sep 1930 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | Herbert L Hayes | 24 Nov 1930 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | John A D Wroughton | 29 Sep 1930 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | Charles E St J Beamish | 13 Jun 1929 |
Source - Air Force List July 1931
Date | Location |
7 Nov 1931 | RAF Base Kai Tak |
23 Apr 1932 | HMS Hermes |
Aircraft operated | Shore Station/Ship | Command/Group |
Fairey IIIF | HMS Hermes | RAF Far East |
Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
Flt Lt | Richard M Trevethan | 7 Aug 1931 | Officer Commanding, MC |
Fg Off | Robert M Giddy | 27 Jun 1931 | Capt, RM |
Fg Off | John C Richards | 29 Sep 1930 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | Herbert L Hayes | 24 Nov 1930 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | John A D Wroughton | 29 Sep 1930 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | George B Musson | 20 Aug 1931 |
Source - Air Force List July 1932
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 |
It was redesignated No 824 Squadron on 11 June 1933.
Re-equipment and movement dates are based on those shown in 'Squadrons of the Fleet Air Arm' by Ray Sturtivant
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This page was last updated on 08/07/19