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Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation
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Heston Flight/No 2 Camouflage Unit/Photographic Development Unit/Photographic Reconnaissance Unit - Personnel and locations
[Heston Flt | No 2 Camouflage Unit | PDU | PRU]
This was formed at Heston to test and develop a new method of carrying out photographic reconnaissances using high speed and 'invisibility' and was initially known as the Special or Heston Flight. The first aircraft received were a couple of Blenheims but these were found to be too slow and were replaced with Spitfires.
Personnel Movements: 1939
| Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
| Act Wg Cdr | F S Cotton | 23 Sep 1939 | Appointed as Officer Commanding |
| Sqn Ldr | Alfred Earle | 3 Oct 1939 | Reported for duty as Photographic Officer |
| Flt Lt | R H Niven | 3 Oct 1939 | Reported for duty for flying duties |
| Flt Lt | M V Longbottom | 3 Oct 1939 | Reported for duty for flying duties |
| Fg Off | J H Blyth | 3 Oct 1939 | Reported for duty as Liaison Officer |
| Plt Off | H G Belcher | 3 Oct 1939 | Reported for duty as Equipment Officer |
| Flt Lt | R H Niven | 5 Nov 1939 | Detached to France to work with No 1 Mission |
Source - PDU ORB (AIR 29/413)
Unit Movements: 1939
| Unit | Date | Notes |
| Heston Flight | 3 Nov 1939 | Redesignated No 2 Camouflage Unit. |
Source - PDU ORB (AIR 29/413)
Personnel Movements: 1939
| Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
| Flt Lt | R H Niven | 5 Nov 1939 | Detached to France to work with No 1 Mission |
| Flt Lt | M V Longbottom | 5 Nov 1939 | Detached to France to work with No 1 Mission |
| Fg Off | S D Slocum | 5 Nov 1939 | Detached to France to work with No 1 Mission |
| Fg Off | White | 5 Nov 1939 | Detached to France to work with No 1 Mission |
Unfortunately not all pages of the ORB are currently available so some movements may be missing.
Unit Movements: 1939 - 1940
| Unit | Date | Notes |
| Detached Flight | 5 Nov 1939 | Formed and despatched to France to work with No 1 Mission with a Spitfire, a Hudson and a Lockheed 12 A |
| No 2 Camouflage Unit | 19 Jan 1940 | Redesignated the Photographic Development Unit. |
Source - PDU ORB (AIR 29/413)
Personnel Movements: Jan - Mar 1940
| Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
| Fg Off | A J Blackwell | 21 Feb 1940 | Posted in from No 12 Sqn for General Duties |
| Fg Off | A L Taylor | 21 Feb 1940 | Posted in from No 226 Sqn |
| Fg Off | S D Slocum | 3 Mar 1940 | Killed in action |
| LAC | R A Mutton | 3 Mar 1940 | Killed in action |
| LAC | J A Butcher | 3 Mar 1940 | Killed in action |
| Flt Lt | R E Baxter | 15 Mar 1940 | Posted in from RAF Detling for flying duties |
| Fg Off | D G Ross | 26 Mar 1940 | Posted in from HQ Reserve Command Pool |
| Plt Off | B H Wood | 26 Mar 1940 | Posted in from civil life for Intelligence duties |
Source - PDU ORB (AIR 29/413)
Unit Movements: 1940
| Unit | Date | Notes |
| No 2 Camouflage Unit | 19 Jan 1940 | Redesignated the Photographic Development Unit. |
Source - PDU ORB (AIR 29/413)
Personnel of the Photographic Development Unit - 1 Apr 1940
| Rank | Name | Notes |
| Act Wg Cdr | F S Cotton | Officer Commanding |
| Sqn Ldr | Geoffrey W Tuttle | Deputy Officer Commanding |
| Flt Lt | R H Niven | |
| Flt Lt | M V Longbottom | |
| Flt Lt | J D Harris | |
| Flt Lt | Le Mesurier | |
| Fg Off | D G Ross | |
| Fg Off | John H L Blount | |
| Flt Lt | A W G Martin | Adjutant |
| Sqn Ldr | A M de H Bell | Chief Technical Officer |
| Flt Lt | N E D Hutchinson | Accountant Officer |
| Sqn Ldr | Lambert | Photographic Officer |
| E V P Miller | Operational Control | |
| Flt Lt | E M H O'Farrell | Intelligence |
| Plt Off | E W Armstrong | Intelligence |
| Plt Off | J B Ewen | Intelligence |
| Plt Off | J H Weaver | Intelligence |
| Plt Off | C C Castle | Intelligence |
| Plt Off | B H Wood | Intelligence |
| Flt Lt | J H Blyth | Liaison Officer |
Source - PDU ORB (AIR 29/413)
Personnel Movements: Apr - Jul 1940
| Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
| Plt Off | N E Sherwell | 9 Apr 1940 | Posted in from civil life |
| Fg Off | S L Ring | 11 Apr 1940 | Posted in from No 212 Sqn for flying duties |
| Plt Off | Wigginton | 13 Apr 1940 | Posted in from civil life for Intelligence duties |
| Plt Off | J H Nicholson | 15 Apr 1940 | Posted in from No 2 Ferry Pilots Pool, Filton for flying duties |
| Fg Off | R C M Walker | 18 Apr 1940 | Posted in from No 224 Sqn |
| Fg Off | Ellcock | 18 Apr 1940 | Posted in on appointment to a commission |
| Fg Off | H C MacPhail | 19 Apr 1940 | Posted in from No 212 Sqn |
| Fg Off | R F Clarke | 20 Apr 1940 | Posted in from No 101 Sqn, West Raynham |
| Plt Off | R F Lea | 20 Apr 1940 | Posted in from No 101 Sqn, West Raynham |
| Act Flt Lt | L D Wilson | 20 Apr 1940 | Posted in from No 40 Sqn |
| Fg Off | H P Blatchford | 20 Apr 1940 | Posted in from No 41 Sqn |
| Fg Off | P E Barnes | 20 Apr 1940 | Posted in from No 17 Sqn |
| ASO | P Rolls | 20 Apr 1940 | Posted in from RAF Calshot |
| Fg Off | P F Illingworth | 22 Apr 1940 | Posted in from No 56 Sqn |
| Plt Off | J H Coleman | 22 Apr 1940 | Posted in from No 19 Sqn |
| ASO | E A G Lywood | 29 Apr 1940 | Posted in from HQ No 40 Group |
| Plt Off | C Tozer | 4 May 1940 | Posted in from civil life for Intelligence duties |
| Flt Lt | P Corbishley | 6 May 1940 | Posted in for flying duties |
| Plt Off | E M Hornby | 7 May 1940 | Posted in from civil life for Intelligence duties |
| Plt Off | T V Craig | 7 May 1940 | Posted in from civil life for Intelligence duties |
| Plt Off | D G Park | 19 May 1940 | Attached to RAF (PDUI) Wembley for Intelligence duties |
| Plt Off | C C Castle | 19 May 1940 | Attached to RAF (PDUI) Wembley for Intelligence duties |
| Sqn Ldr | W Heath | 22 May 1940 | Appointed OC, PDUI (Wembley) |
| Plt Off | R I Jones | 22 May 1940 | Appointed to PDUI (Wembley) |
| Act Flt Lt | F W Turpin | 22 May 1940 | Appointed to PDUI (Wembley) |
| Fg Off | D G Forrest | 22 May 1940 | Appointed to PDUI (Wembley) |
| Plt Off | D M Goodbody | 22 May 1940 | Appointed to PDUI (Wembley) |
| Plt Off | M G Davidson | 22 May 1940 | Appointed to PDUI (Wembley) |
| Plt Off | H M Daston | 22 May 1940 | Appointed to PDUI (Wembley) |
| Plt Off | F P Low | 27 May 1940 | Posted in from civil life for Intelligence duties |
| Plt Off | Sir N J Waton | 27 May 1940 | Posted in from civil life for Intelligence duties |
| Plt Off | R W Nicholson | 27 May 1940 | Posted in from civil life for Intelligence duties |
| Plt Off | R G Wilsdon | 27 May 1940 | Posted in for Photographic duties and attached to PDUI (Wembley) |
| ASO | P Couper | 1 Jun 1940 | Reported for duty on commissioning |
| Plt Off | J G S Butemont | 1 Jun 1940 | Reported for duty on commissioning |
| Plt Off | C E Armond | 1 Jun 1940 | Posted to No 2 School of Technical Training |
| ASO | 6 x WAAF Officers | 3 Jun 1940 | Reported for duty |
| Fg Off | W Foulsham | 11 Jun 1940 | Posted to RAF Middle Wallop |
| Plt Off | J E Archibald | 12 Jun 1940 | Posted to HQ No 6 Group, Abingdon |
| Act Wg Cdr | F S Cotton | 18 Jun 1940 | Posted to No 1 RAF Depot as supernumerary |
| Wg Cdr | Edward H Fielden | 18 Jun 1940 | Posted in (cancelled?) |
| Wg Cdr | Geoffrey W Tuttle | 21 Jun 1940 | Assumed command wef 18 Jun 1940 |
| Sqn Ldr | P J A Riddell | 26 Jun 1940 | Reported for duty on posting wef 17 Jun 1940 |
| Plt Off | J A M Reid | 2 Jul 1940 | Posted in from No 44 Sqn |
| Plt Off | W J Renwick | 2 Jul 1940 | Posted in on appointment to temporary commission |
| Flt Lt | J W S Fowler | 2 Jul 1940 | Posted in from No 98 Sqn |
| Fg Off | M J B Young | 2 Jul 1940 | Posted in from No 98 Sqn |
| Plt Off | D Kidger | 5 Jul 1940 | Posted in from No 600 Sqn |
| Flt Lt | E M H O'Farrell | 5 Jul 1940 | Appointed Station Defence Officer |
| Plt Off | P H Watts | 6 Jul 1940 | Posted in from No 12 OTU, Benson |
| Plt Off | J Seabourne | 6 Jul 1940 | Posted in from No 12 OTU, Benson |
| Plt Off | W B Parker | 6 Jul 1940 | Posted in from No 12 OTU, Benson |
| Fg Off | Dakeyne | 6 Jul 1940 | Posted in from No 13 Sqn |
| Plt Off | A B Corbett | 6 Jul 1940 | Posted in from RAF Linton-on-Ouse |
| Plt Off | A E Hill | 6 Jul 1940 | Posted in from No 26 Sqn |
| Fg Off | I L M Hallam | 6 Jul 1940 | Posted in from No 2 Sqn |
| Plt Off | P O Brunner | 7 Jul 1940 | Ceased to be attached to Anti-Gas School on completion of course |
Source - PDU ORB (AIR 29/413)
Unit Movements: Jan - Jul 1940
| Unit | Date | Notes |
| Detached Flight | 11 Jan 1940 | Returned to Heston |
| Photographic Development Unit | 1 Apr 1940 | Converted into an operational unit |
| Air Ministry AI 1(h) | 22 May 1940 | Redesignated PDUI (Wembley) |
| The Aircraft Operating Co, Wembley | 22 May 1940 | Incorporated into PDUI (Wembley) as Photographic Interpreters |
| Photographic Development Unit | 18 Jun 1940 | Placed under the control of No 16 Group, Coastal Command |
| 'A' Flight | 1 Jul 1940 | Formed and proceeded to Wick |
| 'B' Flight | 1 Jul 1940 | Formed and proceeded to St Eval |
| Photographic Development Unit | 8 Jul 1940 | Redesignated the Photographic Reconnaissance Unit. |
Source - PDU ORB (AIR 29/413)
Personnel of the 'A' & 'B' Flights Photographic Development Unit - 1 Jul 1940
| Rank | Name | Notes |
| 'A' Flight | ||
| Flt Lt | Wilson | Flight Commander |
| Fg Off | Hyde-Parker | |
| Fg Off | John H L Blount | |
| Fg Off | Illingworth | |
| Fg Off | D G Ross | |
| Fg Off | Burton | |
| 'B' Flight | ||
| Flt Lt | Clarke | Flight Commander |
| Fg Off | Blatchford | |
| Fg Off | Christie | |
| Fg Off | Craxton | |
Source - PDU ORB (AIR 29/413)
Photographic Reconnaissance Unit
Personnel Movements: Jul - Dec 1940
| Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
| Plt Off | N E Sherwell | 8 Jul 1940 | Promoted to Act Fg Off |
| Flt Lt | A W G Martin | 8 Jul 1940 | Promoted to Act Sqn Ldr |
| Flt Lt | W Mullen | 8 Jul 1940 | Posted in from No 10 B & GS, Warmwell |
| Flt Lt | F V Sheard | 8 Jul 1940 | Posted to RAF Kinloss |
| Flt Lt | A M Diamant | 8 Jul 1940 | Posted to CFS, Upavon |
| Sqn Ldr | F H Isaac | 9 Jul 1940 | Posted in from HQ No 22 Group |
| ASO | N M G Sims | 10 Jul 1940 | Posted in from RAF Detling |
| Plt Off | W S Stearns | 10 Jul 1940 | Posted in from No 220 Sqn |
| Sqn Ldr | W H G Heath | 12 Jul 1940 | Posted to HQ Coastal Command |
| Flt Lt | J Greenhalgh | 13 Jul 1940 | Posted in from No 4 B& GS, West Freugh |
| Plt Off | S D Mullen | 15 Jul 1940 | Posted in from No 4 Ferry Pilots Pool, Kemble |
| Flt Lt | J A Kent | 15 Jul 1940 | Posted to No 7 OTU |
| Fg Off | C H Gray | 16 Jul 1940 | Posted to RAF Coltishall |
| Plt Off | R G Wilsdon | 18 Jul 1940 | Ceased to be attached to PDUI (Wembley) |
| Flt Lt | W Mullen | 20 Jul 1940 | Posted to No 50 Sqn |
| Flt Lt | W J Umbleby | 20 Jul 1940 | Posted for duty |
| ASO | E A G Lywood | 20 Jul 1940 | Posted to the Special Duties List |
| Plt Off | A E Somers | 21 Jul 1940 | Posted in on appointment to a commission |
| Fg Off | G P Christie | 22 Jul 1940 | Posted to No 242 Sqn |
| Fg Off | S L Ring | 28 Jul 1940 | Promoted to Act Flt Lt |
| Plt Off | T V Craig | 28 Jul 1940 | Promoted to Act Flt Lt |
| Plt Off | E W Armstrong | 28 Jul 1940 | Promoted to Act Flt Lt |
| Plt Off | R I Jones | 28 Jul 1940 | Promoted to Act Flt Lt |
| Plt Off | J H Weaver | 28 Jul 1940 | Promoted to Act Fg Off |
| Plt Off | B H Wood | 28 Jul 1940 | Promoted to Act Fg Off |
| Plt Off | D A Kendall | 28 Jul 1940 | Promoted to Act Fg Off |
| Plt Off | D G Park | 28 Jul 1940 | Promoted to Act Fg Off |
| Plt Off | R Wigginton | 28 Jul 1940 | Promoted to Act Fg Off |
| Plt Off | C C Castle | 28 Jul 1940 | Promoted to Act Fg Off |
| Lt Cdr | G B Kingdon | 1 Aug 1940 | Killed in a flying accident |
| Plt Off | Corbett | 16 Aug 1940 | Missing in action, later reported to be POW |
| Flt Sgt | Taylor-Gill | 17 Aug 1940 | Missing in action, later reported to be POW |
| Sgt | F C Sawyer | 27 Aug 1940 | Killed in action |
| Plt Off | A S Pine-Coffin | 14 Aug 1940 | Posted in for Defence duties |
| Plt Off | J A Bright | 21 Aug 1940 | Posted in for Defence duties |
| Plt Off | J Skinner | 21 Aug 1940 | Posted in for Defence duties |
| Fg Off | A E Hyde-Parker | 15 Sep 1940 | Killed in action |
| LAC | R W Ammon | 2 Oct 1940 | Killed in action |
| Flt Lt | J T Smalley | 8 Nov 1940 | Missing in action, later reported to be POW |
| Fg Off | W B Parker | 8 Nov 1940 | Shot down and admitted to hospital with severe burns |
| Maj | Bishop | 12 Oct 1940 | Attached from 10th Middlesex Regiment as Station Defence Commander |
| Plt Off | M N Hesketh | 17 Oct 1940 | Killed in a flying accident |
| Plt Off | L Barker | 17 Oct 1940 | Posted in from civil life for Defence duties |
| Plt Off | C G Broome | 26 Oct 1940 | Killed in action |
| Flt Lt | A Rumsey | 26 Oct 1940 | Missing in action, later reported to be POW |
| Sgt | Williams | 26 Oct 1940 | Missing in action, later reported to be POW |
| Sgt | Phillips | 26 Oct 1940 | Missing in action |
| LAC | Dixon | 26 Oct 1940 | Missing in action, later reported to be POW |
| Plt Off | A S Pine-Coffin | 31 Oct 1940 | Posted out for Administrative duties |
| Flt Lt | J W S Fowler | 9 Nov 1940 | Killed in action |
| Plt Off | S R Cooper | 22 Nov 1940 | Appointed Station Defence Officer |
| Flt Lt | E M H O'Farrell | 22 Nov 1940 | Posted to RAF Chivenor |
| Fg Off | S J Millen | 16 Dec 1940 | Killed in action |
Source - PDU ORB (AIR 29/413)
Personnel of the 'C' & 'D' Flights Photographic Reconnaissance Unit - 24-25 Jul 1940
| Rank | Name | Notes |
| 'C' Flight | ||
| Flt Lt | Le Mesurier | Flight Commander |
| Fg Off | Taylor | |
| Fg Off | Sheen | |
| Fg Off | Burton | |
| Fg Off | Leavitt | |
| Flt Sgt | Taylor-Gill | |
| Sgt | Morgan | |
| Sgt | Phillips | Wireless Operator/Air Gunner |
| Sgt | Williams | Wireless Operator/Air Gunner |
| 'D' Flight | ||
| Fg Off | S L Ring | Flight Commander |
| Fg Off | Wise | |
| Plt Off | Watts | |
| Plt Off | Panton | |
| Plt Off | Stearns | |
| Sgt | Brister | Wireless Operator/Air Gunner |
| Sgt | Rowlands | Wireless Operator/Air Gunner |
| 'E' Flight | ||
| Flt Lt | Longbottom | Flight Commander |
| 36 x non-flying personnel | ||
Source - PDU ORB (AIR 29/413)
Unit Movements: Jul - Dec 1940
| Unit | Date | Notes |
| 'C' Flight | 24 Jul 1940 | Formed at Heston |
| 'D' Flight | 24 Jul 1940 | Formed at Heston |
| 'E' Flight | 25 Jul 1940 | Formed at Heston to hold specially modified aircraft for use by the operational flights ('A' - 'D') |
| 'A' Flight | 1 Oct 1940 | Returned to Heston from Wick |
| 'C' Flight | 1 Oct 1940 | Proceeded to Wick to replace 'A' Flight |
| PRU | 16 Nov 1940 | Redesigned No 1 Photographic Reconnaissance Unit |
| PRU | 27 Dec 1940 | Commenced moving from Heston to RAF Benson |
Source - PDU ORB (AIR 29/413)
[Heston Flt | No 2 Camouflage Unit | PDU | PRU]
This page was last updated on 04/06/22©
