Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation


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No 5 Sqn Personnel, aircraft and locations


[Jul 1920 | Aug 1920 | Apr 1921 | Jul 1921 | Jul 1922 | May 1923 | 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 1928Jul 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 | Aug 1936 | Jul 1937 | Jul 1938 | Jan 1939 | Apr 1939 | May 1939 | Jan-Dec 1940 | Jan-Dec 1941]

Organisational Movements: Feb - Jul 1920

Date Notes
 1 Feb 1920 Reformed at Quetta by redesignating No 48 Squadron, equipped with Bristol F2B Fighters
Bristol F2B of No 5 Squadron (Post WW1)
 1 Apr 1920 Moved from tented accommodation at Mianwali to the Permanent Station at Quetta

Source - No 5 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/63)

July 1920

Aircraft operated Location Command/Group
Bristol F2B Fighter Quetta, India Indian Group

 

Rank Name Branch Date Notes
Sqn Ldr Paul C Maltby A 27 Nov 1919 Officer Commanding, DSO, AFC later AVM
Flt Lt Beauchamp St J Boultbee A 12 Jan 1920 Flight Commander, MC
Flt Lt Douglas H M Carbery A 12 Mar 1920 Flight Commander, MC, DFC
Flt Lt Harley A Tweedie A & S  5 Sep 1919 Flight Commander, AFC
Flt Lt John F Lawson A 12 Jan 1920 Flight Commander, AFC
Fg Off Peter Warburton A 15 Sep 1919 MBE
Fg Off Maurice H Butler A xx xxx 1920 DFC
Fg Off Giles N Blennerhassett A 12 Jan 1920 MC
Fg Off Cuthbert J S Dearlove A 12 Jan 1920  
Fg Off William K Mercer A 12 Jan 1920  
Fg Off Raymond de L Stedman A 15 Jun 1919  
Fg Off Anthony C B Harrison Ad 15 Dec 1919 MC
Fg Off Walter J Seward A 15 Jun 1919 later A/Cdre
Fg Off Jack Cottle A 15 Jun 1919 MC
Obs Off George S L Hayward O 28 Jan 1920 MC
Fg Off Frederick Keith A 28 Jan 1920  
Fg Off Walter E Lunnon A  3 Jan 1920  
Fg Off Owen J F Jones-Lloyd A 28 Jan 1920  
Fg Off Kercher A Lister-Kaye A  5 May 1920  
Fg Off Wallis Halford A 28 Jan 1920 DFC
Fg Off Frederick R Hockney A  1 Jan 1920  
Fg Off William J Sivewright A  7 Dec 1919  
Fg Off William V N Grant A  7 Nov 1918  
Fg Off Francis J Phillips A  4 Oct 1918  
Fg Off Walter E Humphreys T 15 Dec 1919 MBE
Obs Off Raymond A Brunton O 11 Aug 1918 MC
Fg Off James P Cafferkey A  6 Nov 1918  
Fg Off Claude V A Bucknall A 22 Apr 1920  
Fg Off Harry A Dinnage T xx xxx 1920  
Fg Off Humphrey G Sullivan A 24   Mar 1920  
Obs Off Bernard J Paget O 28 Jan 1920  
Fg Off W E Purdin A & S 10 Apr 1919  
Obs Off Lionel W Beck O 27 Oct 1918  
Fg Off Barnabas H C Russell A 29 Mar 1919 later A/Cdre
Fg Off Lawrence Whitfield A  6 May 1919  
Plt Off Harry W B Hansford A xx xxx 1920  

Source - July 1920 Air Force List

August 1920

Aircraft operated Location Command/Group
Bristol F2B Fighter Quetta, India Indian Group

 

Rank Name Branch Date Notes
Sqn Ldr Paul C Maltby A 27 Nov 1919 Officer Commanding, DSO, AFC later AVM
Flt Lt Beauchamp St J Boultbee A 12 Jan 1920 Flight Commander, MC
Flt Lt Douglas H M Carbery A 12 Mar 1920 Flight Commander, MC, DFC
Flt Lt Harley A Tweedie A & S  5 Sep 1919 Flight Commander, AFC
Flt Lt John F Lawson A 12 Jan 1920 Flight Commander, AFC
Fg Off Peter Warburton A 15 Sep 1919 MBE
Fg Off Maurice H Butler A xx xxx 1920 DFC
Fg Off Giles N Blennerhassett A 12 Jan 1920 MC
Fg Off Cuthbert J S Dearlove A 12 Jan 1920  
Fg Off William K Mercer A 12 Jan 1920  
Fg Off Leslie N Hollinghurst A 15 Jun 1920 DFC; later ACM
Fg Off Raymond de L Stedman A 15 Jun 1919  
Fg Off Anthony C B Harrison Ad 15 Dec 1919 MC
Fg Off Walter J Seward A 15 Jun 1919 later A/Cdre
Obs Off George S L Hayward O 28 Jan 1920 MC
Fg Off Frederick Keith A 28 Jan 1920  
Fg Off Owen J F Jones-Lloyd A 28 Jan 1920  
Fg Off Kercher A Lister-Kaye A  5 May 1920  
Fg Off Wallis Halford A 28 Jan 1920 DFC
Fg Off Frederick R Hockney A  1 Jan 1920  
Fg Off William V N Grant A  7 Nov 1918  
Fg Off Francis J Phillips A  4 Oct 1918  
Fg Off Walter E Humphreys T 15 Dec 1919 MBE
Obs Off Raymond A Brunton O 11 Aug 1918 MC
Fg Off James P Cafferkey A  6 Nov 1918  
Fg Off Claude V A Bucknall A 22 Apr 1920  
Fg Off Humphrey G Sullivan A 24   Mar 1920  
Obs Off Bernard J Paget O 28 Jan 1920  
Obs Off Lionel W Beck O 27 Oct 1918  
Fg Off Barnabas H C Russell A 29 Mar 1919 later A/Cdre
Fg Off Lawrence Whitfield A  6 May 1919  
Plt Off Harry W B Hansford A xx xxx 1920  

Source - August 1920 Air Force List

April 1921

Aircraft operated Location Command/Group
Bristol F2B Fighter Quetta, India Indian Group

 

Rank Name Branch Date Notes
Sqn Ldr Paul C Maltby A 27 Nov 1919 Officer Commanding, DSO, AFC later AVM
Flt Lt William H L O'Neill SO  9 Sep 1920 MC
Flt Lt Claude R Cox A  1 Oct 1920 AFC; later A/Cdre
Flt Lt Wilfred H Dunn A 11 Oct 1920 DSC; later A/Cdre
Flt Lt Alfred G Bond A & S 11 Dec 1920  
Fg Off William E Somervell A 11 Feb 1921  
Fg Off Maurice H Butler A  1 Feb 1920 DFC
Fg Off Cuthbert J S Dearlove A 12 Jan 1920  
Fg Off William K Mercer A 12 Jan 1920  
Fg Off Leslie N Hollinghurst A 15 Jun 1920 DFC; later ACM
Fg Off Anthony C B Harrison Ad 15 Dec 1919 MC
Fg Off Walter J Seward A 15 Jun 1919 later A/Cdre
Fg Off Jack Cottle A 15 Jun 1919 MC
Obs Off George S L Hayward O 28 Jan 1920 MC
Fg Off Walter E Lunnon A  3 Jan 1920  
Fg Off Owen J F Jones-Lloyd A 28 Jan 1920  
Fg Off Kenelm A Lister-Kaye A  5 May 1920  
Fg Off Wallis Halford A 28 Jan 1920 DFC
Fg Off Francis J Phillips A  4 Oct 1918  
Fg Off John H Woodpitt Ad 23 Aug 1920  
Fg Off James T O'Brien-Saint A  8 Apr 1920  
Fg Off John C Dunbar A 10 Nov 1920  
Fg Off John A B Carr-Halley A & S 11 Feb 1921  
Stores Officers
Flt Lt William R Fairbairn    6 Aug 1920  
Medical Branch
Flt Lt William F Wilson 28 Jul 1920 MC, MB

Source - April 1921 Air Force List

July 1921

Aircraft operated Location Command/Group
Bristol F2B Fighter Quetta, India Indian Group

 

Rank Name Branch Date Notes
Sqn Ldr Paul C Maltby A 27 Nov 1919 Officer Commanding, DSO, AFC later AVM
Flt Lt William H L O'Neill SO  9 Sep 1920 MC
Flt Lt Claude R Cox A  1 Oct 1920 AFC; later A/Cdre
Flt Lt Wilfred H Dunn A 11 Oct 1920 DSC; later A/Cdre
Flt Lt Alfred G Bond A & S 11 Dec 1920  
Fg Off Phillip H Cummings A  1 Feb 1921  
Fg Off William E Somervell A 11 Feb 1921  
Fg Off Maurice H Butler A  1 Feb 1920 DFC
Fg Off Leslie N Hollinghurst A 15 Jun 1920 DFC; later ACM
Fg Off Cuthbert J S Dearlove A 12 Jan 1920  
Fg Off William K Mercer A 12 Jan 1920  
Fg Off Anthony C B Harrison Ad 15 Dec 1919 MC
Fg Off Jack Cottle A 15 Jun 1919 MC
Obs Off George S L Hayward O 28 Jan 1920 MC
Fg Off Wilfred T Lewis A 22 Feb 1921  
Fg Off Walter E Lunnon A  3 Jan 1920  
Fg Off Owen J F Jones-Lloyd A 28 Jan 1920  
Fg Off Kenelm A Lister-Kaye A  5 May 1920  
Fg Off Wallis Halford A 28 Jan 1920 DFC
Fg Off Francis J Phillips A  4 Oct 1918  
Fg Off John H Woodpitt Ad 23 Aug 1920  
Fg Off James T O'Brien-Saint A  8 Apr 1920  
Fg Off John C Dunbar A 10 Nov 1920  
Stores Officers
Flt Lt William R Fairbairn    6 Aug 1920  
Fg Off Edgar J Leech   11 Feb 1921  
Medical Branch
Flt Lt William F Wilson 28 Jul 1920 MC, MB

Source - July 1921 Air Force List

Branches: A = Aeroplane, A & S = Aeroplane and Seaplane, Ad = Administrative, Med = Medical O = Observer, T = Technical

July 1922

Aircraft operated Location Command/Group
Bristol F2B Fighter Quetta, India No 1 Indian Wing

 

Rank Name Date Notes
Sqn Ldr Paul C Maltby 27 Nov 1919 Officer Commanding, DSO, AFC later AVM
Flt Lt Wilfred H Dunn 11 Oct 1920 DSC; later A/Cdre
Flt Lt Alfred G Bond 11 Dec 1920  
Flt Lt William E Somervell 11 Feb 1921  
Fg Off Alfred M West 27 Sep 1921  
Fg Off Cuthbert J S Dearlove 12 Jan 1920  
Fg Off William K Mercer 12 Jan 1920  
Fg Off Anthony C B Harrison 15 Dec 1919 MC
Fg Off Wilfred T Lewis 22 Feb 1921  
Fg Off Kenelm A Lister-Kaye  5 May 1920  
Fg Off Wallis Halford 28 Jan 1920 DFC
Fg Off Edmund A W Kent 19 Jan 1922  
Fg Off John Bradbury 24 Nov 1921  
Fg Off Charles Dollery  9 Mar 1922  
Fg Off James T O'Brien-Saint  8 Apr 1920  
Fg Off John C Dunbar 10 Nov 1920  
Fg Off Gilbert V Wheatley 22 Sep 1921  
Fg Off James A Stedman  3 Dec 1921  
Plt Off Robert E Baugh 19 Jan 1922  
Plt Off Roland A R Mangles  7 Mar 1922  
Plt Off Cecil M O O Springfield  7 Mar 1922  
Stores Officers
Fg Off Edgar J Leech 11 Feb 1921  
Medical Branch
Flt Lt William G L Wambeek 16 May 1921

Source - July 1922 Air Force List

Organisational Movements: Jul 1922 - May 1923

Date Notes
26 Oct 1922 Squadron moved from Quetta to Ambala
 xx May 1924 Redesignated No 5 (Army Co-operation) Squadron

Source - No 5 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/63)

May 1923

Aircraft operated Location Command/Group
Bristol F2B Fighter Ambala, India RAF India

 

Rank Name Date Notes
Sqn Ldr Paul C Maltby 27 Nov 1919 Officer Commanding, DSO, AFC later AVM
Flt Lt Wilfred H Dunn 11 Oct 1920 DSC; later A/Cdre
Flt Lt Alfred G Bond 11 Dec 1920  
Flt Lt William E Somervell 11 Feb 1921  
Fg Off Alfred M West 27 Sep 1921  
Fg Off Anthony C B Harrison 15 Dec 1919 MC
Fg Off Edmund A W Kent 19 Jan 1922  
Fg Off Thomas H R Riggs 13 Dec 1922 DCM, MM
Fg Off John Bradbury 24 Nov 1921  
Fg Off Charles Dollery  9 Mar 1922  
Fg Off

Barnabas H C Russell

10 Feb 1921  
Fg Off Stanley J Mason 15 Feb 1923  
Fg Off James T O'Brien-Saint  8 Apr 1920  
Fg Off John C Dunbar 10 Nov 1920  
Fg Off Gilbert V Wheatley 22 Sep 1921  
Fg Off Paul N Melitus 23 Feb 1923  
Fg Off James A Stedman  3 Dec 1921  
Fg Off Robert E Baugh 19 Jan 1922  
Fg Off John V Roberts 23 Feb 1923  
Plt Off Robert G R Godby 23 Feb 1923  
Plt Off Roland A R Mangles  7 Mar 1922
Stores Branch
Fg Off Edgar J Leech 11 Feb 1921  
Fg Off Frederick W Todd 12 Mar 1923  

Source - May 1923 Air Force List

July 1923

Aircraft operated Location Command/Group
Bristol F2B Fighter Ambala, India RAF India

 

Rank Name Date Notes
Sqn Ldr Paul C Maltby 27 Nov 1919 Officer Commanding, DSO, AFC later AVM
Flt Lt Wilfred H Dunn 11 Oct 1920 DSC; later A/Cdre
Flt Lt Alfred G Bond 11 Dec 1920  
Flt Lt William E Somervell 11 Feb 1921  
Fg Off Alfred M West 27 Sep 1921  
Fg Off Anthony C B Harrison 15 Dec 1919 MC
Fg Off Edmund A W Kent 19 Jan 1922  
Fg Off Thomas H R Riggs 13 Dec 1922 DCM, MM
Fg Off John Bradbury 24 Nov 1921  
Fg Off Charles Dollery  9 Mar 1922  
Fg Off

Barnabas H C Russell

10 Feb 1921  
Fg Off Stanley J Mason 15 Feb 1923  
Fg Off James T O'Brien-Saint  8 Apr 1920  
Fg Off John C Dunbar 10 Nov 1920  
Fg Off Gilbert V Wheatley 22 Sep 1921  
Fg Off Paul N Melitus 23 Feb 1923  
Fg Off James A Stedman  3 Dec 1921  
Fg Off Robert E Baugh 19 Jan 1922  
Fg Off John V Roberts 23 Feb 1923  
Fg Off Robert G R Godby 23 Feb 1923  
Plt Off Roland A R Mangles  7 Mar 1922
Stores Branch
Fg Off Edgar J Leech 11 Feb 1921  
Fg Off Frederick W Todd 12 Mar 1923  

Source - July 1923 Air Force List

Personnel Movements: Jul 1923 - Jan 1924

Rank Name Date Notes
Sqn Ldr

Arthur J Capel

31 Dec 1923 Arrived on posting, wef 23 Nov 1923, pending assuming command of No 5 Sqn

Source - No 5 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/63)

January 1924

Aircraft operated Location Command/Group
Bristol F2B Fighter Ambala, India RAF India

 

Rank Name Date Notes
Sqn Ldr Paul C Maltby 27 Nov 1919 Officer Commanding, DSO, AFC later AVM
Sqn Ldr

Arthur J Capel

23 Nov 1923 Officer Commanding (designate), DFC; later A/Cdre
Flt Lt Wilfred H Dunn 11 Oct 1920 DSC; later A/Cdre
Flt Lt Alfred G Bond 11 Dec 1920  
Flt Lt William E Somervell 11 Feb 1921  
Fg Off Eric H Richardson 15 Oct 1923  
Fg Off Thomas H R Riggs 13 Dec 1922 DCM, MM
Fg Off Charles Dollery  9 Mar 1922  
Fg Off Stephen McKeever 14 Sep 1923  
Fg Off

Barnabas H C Russell

10 Feb 1921  
Fg Off Stanley J Mason 15 Feb 1923  
Fg Off John C Dunbar 10 Nov 1920  
Fg Off Gilbert V Wheatley 22 Sep 1921  
Fg Off Paul N Melitus 23 Feb 1923  
Fg Off James A Stedman  3 Dec 1921  
Fg Off Cyril C Musselwhite 14 Sep 1923  
Fg Off John V Roberts 23 Feb 1923  
Fg Off Roger P Mollard 21 Jun 1923  
Fg Off Robert G R Godby 23 Feb 1923  
Fg Off Roland A R Mangles  7 Mar 1922  
Plt Off Charles H Ratcliffe 14 Sep 1923
Plt Off North Carter 14 Sep 1923 later A/Cdre
Stores Branch
Fg Off Frederick W Todd 12 Mar 1923  
Medical Branch
Flt Lt Wilfred E Hodgins  1 Aug 1923  

Source - January 1924 Air Force List

Organisational Movements: Jan - May 1924

Date Notes
10 Mar 1924 Squadron departed Ambala for Dardoni to take over from No 31 Sqn, coming under the control of No 1 (Indian) Wing

Source - No 5 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/63)

May 1924

Aircraft operated Location Command/Group
Bristol F2B Fighter Dardoni, India RAF India/No 1 India Wing

 

Rank Name Date Notes
Sqn Ldr

Arthur J Capel

23 Nov 1923 Officer Commanding, DFC; later A/Cdre
Flt Lt Wilfred H Dunn 11 Oct 1920 DSC; later A/Cdre
Flt Lt Alfred G Bond 11 Dec 1920  
Flt Lt William E Somervell 11 Feb 1921  
Fg Off Thomas H R Riggs 13 Dec 1922 DCM, MM
Fg Off Henry J Brown 21 Jan 1924  
Fg Off Charles Dollery  9 Mar 1922  
Fg Off Stephen McKeever 14 Sep 1923  
Fg Off

Barnabas H C Russell

10 Feb 1921  
Fg Off Gilbert V Wheatley 22 Sep 1921  
Fg Off Paul N Melitus 23 Feb 1923  
Fg Off Cyril C Musselwhite 14 Sep 1923  
Fg Off John V Roberts 23 Feb 1923  
Fg Off Roger P Mollard 21 Jun 1923  
Fg Off Robert G R Godby 23 Feb 1923  
Fg Off Roland A R Mangles  7 Mar 1922  
Fg Off Maxwell C W C Flint 29 Dec 1923 MC
Fg Off Leonard G Pinnell 29 Dec 1923  
Fg Off Denis G Pinnell 18 Jan 1924  
Plt Off Charles H Ratcliffe 14 Sep 1923
Plt Off Bryan H Carter 29 Dec 1923
Plt Off North Carter 14 Sep 1923 later A/Cdre
Stores Branch
Fg Off Frederick W Todd 12 Mar 1923  
Medical Branch
Flt Lt James D Leahy 13 Mar 1924 MC, MB, BA

Source - May 1924 Air Force List

Personnel Movements: May 1924 - Jul 1925

Rank Name Date Notes
Sqn Ldr

Arthur J Capel

28 Jul 1924 Force landed during an operation and was captured by tribesmen
LAC Bell 28 Jul 1924 Force landed during an operation and was captured by tribesmen
LAC Bell 29 Jul 1924 Released by his captors
Sqn Ldr

Arthur J Capel

31 Jul 1924 Released by his captors
Flt Lt A F Quinlan  1 Nov 1924 Killed in flying accident

Source - No 5 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/63)

Organisational Movements: May 1924 - Jul 1925

Date Notes
22 Jan 1925 Air Party departed Dardoni for RAF Kohat

Source - No 5 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/63)

January 1925

Source - January 1925 Air Force List

February 1925

Source - February 1925 Air Force List

March 1925

Source - March 1925 Air Force List

April 1925

Source - April 1925 Air Force List

May 1925

Source - May 1925 Air Force List

June 1925

Source - June 1925 Air Force List

July 1925

Aircraft operated Location Command/Group
Bristol F2B Fighter Kohat, India RAF India/No 1 Indian Wing

 

Rank Name Date Notes
Sqn Ldr

Arthur J Capel

23 Nov 1923 Officer Commanding, DFC; later A/Cdre
Flt Lt James A G Haslam 27 Nov 1924 MC, DFC
Flt Lt

Alfred C Sanderson

27 Nov 1924 DFC; later AM
Flt Lt John A Hollis 26 Jan 1925  
Hon Flt Lt (Fg Off) Arthur R Prendergast 30 Dec 1924  
Fg Off Thomas H R Riggs 13 Dec 1922 DCM, MM
Fg Off Reginald Jones 15 Oct 1924  
Fg Off Charles Dollery  9 Mar 1922  
Fg Off Gilbert V Wheatley 22 Sep 1921  
Fg Off Cyril C Musselwhite 14 Sep 1923  
Fg Off Edward L W H Alms 27 Nov 1924 He was killed in an accident - 1 Mar 1926
Fg Off Sandys P George 12 Sep 1924  
Fg Off Roland A R Mangles  7 Mar 1922
Fg Off Leonard G Pinnell 29 Dec 1923  
Fg Off Dennis G Pinnell 11 Apr 1924  
Fg Off North Carter 14 Sep 1923 later A/Cdre
Fg Off Frank Boston 12 Sep 1924  
Plt Off John B Towsend 20 Dec 1924  
Plt Off Athol E Paish 20 Dec 1924  
Stores Branch
Fg Off Francis A R Smith 15 Mar 1924  
Medical Branch
Flt Lt Charles A Lindup  7 Apr 1924  

Source - July 1925 Air Force List

Organisational Movements: Jul 1925 - Mar 1926

Date Notes
15 Oct 1925 Squadron completed the mover from RAF Kohat to RAF Risalpur, joining No 2 (Indian) Wing

Source - No 5 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/63)

March 1926

 

Aircraft operated Location Command/Group
Bristol F2B Fighter Risalpur, India RAF India/No 1 Indian Wing

 

Rank Name Date Notes
Sqn Ldr

Arthur J Capel

23 Nov 1923 Officer Commanding, DFC; later A/Cdre
Flt Lt James A G Haslam 27 Nov 1924 MC, DFC
Flt Lt

Alfred C Sanderson

27 Nov 1924 DFC; later AM
Flt Lt John A Hollis 26 Jan 1925  
Flt Lt Christopher N H Bilney 18 Dec 1925 later AVM
Hon Flt Lt (Fg Off) Arthur R Prendergast 30 Dec 1924  
Hon Flt Lt (Fg Off) Edmund L O Baddeley 26 May 1925  
Hon Flt Lt (Fg Off) Russell W M Hall 15 Oct 1925  
Fg Off Reginald Jones 15 Oct 1924  
Fg Off Barnabas H C Russell 18 Nov 1925 later A/Cdre
Fg Off Cyril C Musselwhite 14 Sep 1923  
Fg Off Edward L W H Alms 27 Nov 1924 He was killed in an accident - 1 Mar 1926
Fg Off Sandys P George 12 Sep 1924  
Fg Off Launcelot R Cutforth  1 Jun 1925  
Fg Off Leonard G Pinnell 29 Dec 1923  
Fg Off Dennis G Pinnell 11 Apr 1924  
Fg Off North Carter 14 Sep 1923 later A/Cdre
Fg Off Randolph A King 28 Nov 1925  
Fg Off Clement C Harris  9 Sep 1925 Lt, RA killed in a flying accident - 6 Jul 1926
Fg Off Frank Boston 12 Sep 1924  
Fg Off Arthur H D Livock 15 Oct 1925
Fg Off Athol E Paish 20 Dec 1924  
Fg Off George D Green  2 Oct 1925  
Stores Branch
Fg Off Francis A R Smith 15 Mar 1924  
Medical Branch
Flt Lt Charles A Lindup  7 Apr 1924  

Source - March 1926 Air Force List

July 1926

Aircraft operated Location Command/Group
Bristol F2B Fighter Risalpur, India RAF India/No 1 Indian Wing

 

Rank Name Date Notes
Sqn Ldr

Arthur J Capel

23 Nov 1923 Officer Commanding, DFC; later A/Cdre
Flt Lt James A G Haslam 27 Nov 1924 MC, DFC
Flt Lt

Alfred C Sanderson

27 Nov 1924 DFC; later AM
Flt Lt John A Hollis 26 Jan 1925  
Flt Lt Christopher N H Bilney 18 Dec 1925 later AVM
Hon Flt Lt (Fg Off) Arthur R Prendergast 30 Dec 1924  
Hon Flt Lt (Fg Off) Edmund L O Baddeley 26 May 1925  
Hon Flt Lt (Fg Off) Russell W M Hall 15 Oct 1925  
Fg Off Reginald Jones 15 Oct 1924  
Fg Off Barnabas H C Russell 18 Nov 1925 later A/Cdre
Fg Off Sandys P George 12 Sep 1924  
Fg Off Launcelot R Cutforth  1 Jun 1925  
Fg Off North Carter 14 Sep 1923 later A/Cdre
Fg Off Randolph A King 28 Nov 1925  
Fg Off Clement C Harris  9 Sep 1925 Lt, RA killed in a flying accident - 6 Jul 1926
Fg Off Frank Boston 12 Sep 1924  
Fg Off Athol E Paish 20 Dec 1924  
Fg Off George D Green  2 Oct 1925  
Fg Off Dennis Robinson 10 Mar 1926
Plt Off Leonard T Pankhurst  1 Apr 1926 later AVM
Stores Branch
Fg Off Francis A R Smith 15 Mar 1924  
Medical Branch
Flt Lt Charles A Lindup  7 Apr 1924  

Source - July 1926 Air Force List

December 1926

Aircraft operated Location Command/Group
Bristol F2B Fighter Risalpur, India RAF India/No 1 Indian Wing

 

Rank Name Date Notes
Sqn Ldr

Arthur J Capel

23 Nov 1923 Officer Commanding, DFC; later A/Cdre
Flt Lt James A G Haslam 27 Nov 1924 MC, DFC
Flt Lt

Alfred C Sanderson

27 Nov 1924 DFC; later AM
Flt Lt Christopher N H Bilney 18 Dec 1925 Armament Duties; later AVM
Flt Lt Frederick F Garraway  1 Oct 1926  
Hon Flt Lt (Fg Off) Arthur R Prendergast 30 Dec 1924  
Hon Flt Lt (Fg Off) Russell W M Hall 15 Oct 1925  
Fg Off Reginald Jones 15 Oct 1924 Signals Duties
Fg Off Barnabas H C Russell 18 Nov 1925 later A/Cdre
Fg Off Francis C Marsh 20 Feb 1926  
Fg Off Sandys P George 12 Sep 1924  
Fg Off Launcelot R Cutforth  1 Jun 1925  
Fg Off North Carter 14 Sep 1923 later A/Cdre
Fg Off Randolph A King 28 Nov 1925  
Fg Off Frank Boston 12 Sep 1924  
Fg Off Athol E Paish 20 Dec 1924  
Fg Off William H Burbury  7 Jul 1925  
Fg Off George D Green  2 Oct 1925 Pilotage (Navigation) duties
Fg Off Dennis Robinson 10 Mar 1926
Plt Off James C McE Gibb  1 Jun 1926  
Plt Off Leonard T Pankhurst  1 Apr 1926 later AVM
Medical Branch
Flt Lt Charles A Lindup  7 Apr 1924  

Source - December 1926 Air Force List

Personnel Movements: Jan 1927 - Jul 1927

Rank Name Date Notes
Fg Off E L W H Alms  1 Mar 1927 Killed in an accident

Source - No 5 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/63)

July 1927

Aircraft operated Location Command/Group
Bristol F2B Fighter Risalpur, India RAF India/No 2 Indian Wing

 

Rank Name Date Notes
Sqn Ldr

Arthur J Capel

23 Nov 1923 Officer Commanding, DFC; later A/Cdre
Flt Lt

Alfred C Sanderson

27 Nov 1924 DFC; later AM
Flt Lt Christopher N H Bilney 18 Dec 1925 later AVM
Flt Lt Frederick F Garraway  1 Oct 1926  
Hon Flt Lt (Fg Off) Arthur R Prendergast 30 Dec 1924  
Hon Flt Lt (Fg Off) Ian E Brodie  7 Dec 1926 Armament; later A/Cdre
Hon Flt Lt (Fg Off) Russell W M Hall 15 Oct 1925  
Fg Off Francis C Marsh 20 Feb 1926  
Fg Off Sandys P George 12 Sep 1924  
Fg Off Launcelot R Cutforth  1 Jun 1925  
Fg Off North Carter 14 Sep 1923 later A/Cdre
Fg Off Frank Boston 12 Sep 1924  
Fg Off Athol E Paish 20 Dec 1924  
Fg Off William H Burbury  7 Jul 1925  
Fg Off George D Green  2 Oct 1925  
Fg Off Nigel K Howard  7 Apr 1927  
Fg Off Gerald B Collet  7 Apr 1927  
Fg Off Leonard T Pankhurst  1 Apr 1926 later AVM
Fg Off George P Chamberlain 14 Apr 1927 later AVM
Plt Off Athal P de Woulf de Wytt 14 Apr 1927  
Plt Off Charles D G Welch 20 May 1927  
Stores Branch
Fg Off Ernest R Wood 27 Oct 1926  
Medical Branch
Fg Off Edmond J Mockler  7 Jan 1927 MB

Source - July 1927 Air Force List

July 1928

Aircraft operated Location Command/Group
Bristol F2B Fighter Risalpur, India RAF India/No 2 Indian Wing

 

Rank Name Date Notes
Sqn Ldr

Arthur J Capel

23 Nov 1923 Officer Commanding, DFC; later A/Cdre
Flt Lt

Alfred C Sanderson

27 Nov 1924 DFC; later AM
Flt Lt Christopher N H Bilney 18 Dec 1925 later AVM
Flt Lt

Barnabas H C Russell

30 Aug 1927 later A/Cdre
Hon Flt Lt (Fg Off) Russell W M Hall 15 Oct 1925  
Hon Flt Lt (Fg Off) Ian A Bertram 23 Feb 1928  
Fg Off Sandys P George 12 Sep 1924  
Fg Off Oswald B Swain 20 Sep 1927 Armament duties
Fg Off William H Burbury  7 Jul 1925  
Fg Off John H Powle 12 Oct 1927  
Fg Off James Warburton  6 Dec 1927 later A/Cdre
Fg Off Nigel K Howard  7 Apr 1927  
Fg Off Richard D Adams  1 Oct 1927  
Fg Off Leonard T Pankhurst  1 Apr 1926 later AVM
Fg Off George P Chamberlain 14 Apr 1927 Signals duties; later AVM
Fg Off Charles D G Welch 20 May 1927  
Fg Off Clement P Ashton-Jinks 31 Jan 1928 Photographic duties
Fg Off Walter J Pickard 28 Feb 1928 Pilotage (Navigation) duties
Fg Off Isaac J Fitch  6 Dec 1927 later A/Cdre
Plt Off Donald J R Hylton 21 Jul 1927  
Plt Off John C A Johnson 23 Feb 1928 later A/Cdre
Stores Branch
Fg Off Edward A Slater  7 Jan 1928  
Medical Branch
Flt Lt Alexander Dickson 30 Oct 1927 MB
Flt Lt Edmond J Mockler  7 Jan 1927 MB

Source - July 1928 Air Force List

September 1928

Aircraft operated Location Command/Group
Bristol F2B Fighter Risalpur, India RAF India/No 2 Indian Wing

 

Rank Name Date Notes
Sqn Ldr

Arthur J Capel

23 Nov 1923 Officer Commanding, DFC; later A/Cdre
Flt Lt

Alfred C Sanderson

27 Nov 1924 DFC; later AM
Flt Lt Christopher N H Bilney 18 Dec 1925 later AVM
Flt Lt

Barnabas H C Russell

30 Aug 1927 later A/Cdre
Hon Flt Lt (Fg Off) Russell W M Hall 15 Oct 1925  
Hon Flt Lt (Fg Off) Ian A Bertram 23 Feb 1928  
Fg Off Sandys P George 12 Sep 1924  
Fg Off Oswald B Swain 20 Sep 1927 Armament duties
Fg Off William H Burbury  7 Jul 1925  
Fg Off John H Powle 12 Oct 1927  
Fg Off James Warburton  6 Dec 1927 later A/Cdre
Fg Off Nigel K Howard  7 Apr 1927  
Fg Off Richard D Adams  1 Oct 1927  
Fg Off George P Chamberlain 14 Apr 1927 Signals duties; later AVM
Fg Off Charles D G Welch 20 May 1927  
Fg Off Clement P Ashton-Jinks 31 Jan 1928 Photographic duties
Fg Off Walter J Pickard 28 Feb 1928 Pilotage (Navigation) duties
Fg Off Isaac J Fitch  6 Dec 1927 later A/Cdre
Fg Off Edward F Wain 23 Jun 1928  
Plt Off Donald J R Hylton 21 Jul 1927  
Plt Off John C A Johnson 23 Feb 1928 later A/Cdre
Stores Branch
Fg Off Edward A Slater  7 Jan 1928  
Medical Branch
Flt Lt Alexander Dickson 30 Oct 1927 MB

Source - September 1928 Air Force List

Personnel Movements: Sep 1928 - Jul 1929

Rank Name Date Notes
Sqn Ldr

Arthur J Capel

 2 Nov 1928 Proceeded on leave to the UK pending posting to Home Estblishment
Flt Lt

Alfred C Sanderson

 2 Nov 1928 Assumed temporary command of No 5 Sqn
Sqn Ldr

Oliver C Bryson

xx Nov 1928 Arrived on posting and assumed command of No 5 Sqn, wef 20 Oct 1928
Flt Lt

Alfred C Sanderson

xx Nov 1928 Relinquished temporary command of No 5 Sqn

Source - No 5 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/63)

Organisational Movements: Sep 1928 - Jul 1929

Date Notes
15 Dec 1928 Squadron, less 'C' Flight moved from RAF Risalpur to RAF Quetta
20 Feb 1929 'C' Flight moved from RAF Risalpur to RAF Quetta

Source - No 5 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/63)

July 1929

Aircraft operated Location Command/Group
Bristol F2B Fighter Quetta, India RAF India/No 3 (Indian) Wing

 

Rank Name Date Notes
Sqn Ldr

Oliver C Bryson

20 Oct 1928 Officer Commanding, MC, DFC, AM
Flt Lt John R I Scramber 20 Mar 1929  
Flt Lt Christopher N H Bilney 18 Dec 1925 later AVM
Flt Lt

Barnabas H C Russell

30 Aug 1927 later A/Cdre
Fg Off Oswald B Swain 20 Sep 1927 Armament duties
Fg Off Henry L Drake 16 Oct 1928  
Fg Off John H Powle 12 Oct 1927  
Fg Off James Warburton  6 Dec 1927 later A/Cdre
Fg Off Richard D Adams  1 Oct 1927  
Fg Off George P Chamberlain 14 Apr 1927 Signals duties; later AVM
Fg Off Charles D G Welch 20 May 1927  
Fg Off Clement P Ashton-Jinks 31 Jan 1928 Photographic duties
Fg Off Walter J Pickard 28 Feb 1928 Pilotage (Navigation) duties
Fg Off Isaac J Fitch  6 Dec 1927 later A/Cdre
Fg Off Edward F Wain 23 Jun 1928  
Fg Off Donald J R Hylton 21 Jul 1927  
Fg Off

John C A Johnson

23 Feb 1928 later A/Cdre
Fg Off Hubert W Duffey  4 Jan 1929  
Fg Off Wilfred P J Thomson  4 Jan 1929  
Plt Off Miles R Kelly  4 Jan 1929  
Stores Branch
Fg Off Edward A Slater  7 Jan 1928  
Medical Branch
Flt Lt James Hutchieson 20 Oct 1928 MB

Source - July 1929 Air Force List

Organisational Movements: Jul 1929 - Jul 1930

Date Notes
16 May 1930 Squadron moved from RAF Quetta to RAF Kohat for operations

Source - No 5 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/63)

July 1930

Aircraft operated Location Command/Group
Bristol F2B Fighter Quetta, India RAF India/No 3 (Indian) Wing

 

Rank Name Date Notes
Sqn Ldr

Oliver C Bryson

20 Oct 1928 Officer Commanding, MC, DFC, AM
Flt Lt John R I Scramber 20 Mar 1929  
Flt Lt Christopher N H Bilney 18 Dec 1925 later AVM
Flt Lt

Barnabas H C Russell

30 Aug 1927 later A/Cdre
Fg Off Oswald B Swain 20 Sep 1927 Armament duties
Flt Lt James Warburton  6 Dec 1927 later A/Cdre
Fg Off George W Gay  8 Oct 1929 Signals duties
Fg Off George P Chamberlain 14 Apr 1927 Signals duties; later AVM
Fg Off Charles D G Welch 20 May 1927  
Fg Off Edward F Wain 23 Jun 1928  
Fg Off

John C A Johnson

23 Feb 1928 later A/Cdre
Fg Off Hubert W Duffey  4 Jan 1929  
Fg Off Wilfred P J Thomson  4 Jan 1929  
Fg Off Roy J O Bartlett 25 May 1929  
Fg Off Miles R Kelly  4 Jan 1929  
Fg Off John H Brown 21 Jan 1930  
Fg Off Richard C W Ellison 21 Jan 1930  
Fg Off Maurice G Parker 21 Jan 1930  
Plt Off David W Bayne 21 Jan 1930 later A/Cdre
Plt Off William R Beaman  8 Oct 1929  
Plt Off Frank W Stannard 21 Jan 1930  
Stores Branch
Fg Off Morton S Shapcott 12 Jan 1930 later A/Cdre
Medical Branch
Flt Lt James Hutchieson 20 Oct 1928 MB, BCh

Source - July 1930 Air Force List

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

Organisational Movements: Jul 1930 - Jul 1931

Date Notes
16 Feb 1931 Squadron moved from RAF Kohat to RAF Quetta on completion of operations
xx May 1931 Squadron commenced re-equipment with Westland Wapiti aircraft
Wapiti IIA

Source - No 5 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/63)

July 1931

Aircraft operated Location Command/Group
Westland Wapiti Quetta, India RAF India/No 3 (Indian) Wing

 

Rank Name Date Notes
Sqn Ldr

Oliver C Bryson

20 Oct 1928 Officer Commanding, MC, DFC, AM
Flt Lt James Warburton  6 Dec 1927 later A/Cdre
Flt Lt Patrick E Berryman 10 Dec 1930  
Flt Lt Edward G H Russell-Stracey 25 Mar 1931  
Fg Off George W Gay  8 Oct 1929 Signals duties
Fg Off James C Cunningham 28 Oct 1930  
Fg Off

John C A Johnson

23 Feb 1928 later A/Cdre
Fg Off Roy J O Bartlett 25 May 1929  
Fg Off Miles R Kelly  4 Jan 1929  
Fg Off John H Brown 21 Jan 1930  
Fg Off Richard C W Ellison 21 Jan 1930  
Fg Off

Harold A Fenton

 7 Aug 1930 later A/Cdre
Fg Off David W Bayne 21 Jan 1930 later A/Cdre
Fg Off William R Beaman  8 Oct 1929  
Fg Off Justin A Brown 14 Feb 1931 Pilotage (Navigation) duties
Fg Off Christopher H Glover 14 Feb 1931  
Fg Off Frank W Stannard 21 Jan 1930  
Plt Off Frederick F Wicks 16 Sep 1930  
Stores Branch
Fg Off Morton S Shapcott 12 Jan 1930 later A/Cdre
Medical Branch
Fg Off Edward Corner 15 May 1931 MRCS, LRCP

Source - July 1931 Air Force List

Personnel Movements: Jul 1931 - Jul 1932

Rank Name Date Notes
Sqn Ldr William K Mercer  5 Oct 1931 Arrived on posting pending assuming command of No 5 Sqn
Sqn Ldr

Oliver C Bryson

xx Oct 1931 Relinquished command of No 5 Sqn on posting to Home Establishment
Sqn Ldr William K Mercer xx Oct 1931 Assumed command of No 5 Sqn

Source - No 5 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/63)

July 1932

Aircraft operated Location Command/Group
Westland Wapiti Quetta, India RAF India/No 3 (Indian) Wing

 

Rank Name Date Notes
Sqn Ldr William K Mercer  5 Oct 1931 Officer Commanding
Flt Lt

Alfred R Wardle

18 Feb 1932 AFC; later A/Cdre
Flt Lt Edwin J Ffoulkes-Jones  7 Mar 1932  
Flt Lt Robert L Edward 16 Oct 1931  
Flt Lt George W Gay  8 Oct 1929 Signals duties
Fg Off James C Cunningham 28 Oct 1930  
Fg Off

John C A Johnson

23 Feb 1928 later A/Cdre
Fg Off Roy J O Bartlett 25 May 1929  
Fg Off John H Brown 21 Jan 1930  
Fg Off

Harold A Fenton

 7 Aug 1930 later A/Cdre
Fg Off David W Bayne 21 Jan 1930 later A/Cdre
Fg Off William R Beaman  8 Oct 1929  
Fg Off Justin A Brown 14 Feb 1931 Pilotage (Navigation) duties
Fg Off Christopher H Glover 14 Feb 1931  
Fg Off Frank W Stannard 21 Jan 1930  
Fg Off Frederick F Wicks 16 Sep 1930  
Fg Off Basil P Reynolds 23 Feb 1932  
Fg Off Reginald B Wardman 12 Feb 1932  
Fg Off William J Blighty 23 Feb 1932  
Fg Off Leonard A Bullard 23 Feb 1932  
Fg Off Reginald J W Barnett 12 Feb 1932  
Plt Off

Thomas N Coslett

16 Oct 1931 later AM
Stores Branch
Fg Off Morton S Shapcott 12 Jan 1930 later A/Cdre
Medical Branch
Fg Off Edward Corner 15 May 1931 MRCS, LRCP

Source - July 1932 Air Force List

Personnel Movements: Jul 1932 - Jul 1933

Rank Name Date Notes
Sqn Ldr

Aubrey B Ellwood

12 Dec 1932 Arrived on posting and assumed command of No 5 Sqn
Sqn Ldr William K Mercer 12 Dec 1932 Relinquished command of No 5 Sqn

Source - No 5 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/63)

July 1933

Aircraft operated Location Command/Group
Westland Wapiti Quetta, India RAF India/No 3 (Indian) Wing

 

Rank Name Date Notes
Sqn Ldr

Aubrey B Ellwood

12 Dec 1932 Officer Commanding, DSC, later AM
Flt Lt Harry R McL Reid  7 Feb 1933  
Flt Lt Robert L Edward 16 Oct 1931  
Flt Lt

Raymond G Hart

 3 Apr 1933 MC; later AM
Flt Lt George W Gay  8 Oct 1929 Signals duties
Flt Lt James C Cunningham 28 Oct 1930  
Flt Lt John B Fyfe 19 Mar 1933  
Flt Lt Geoffrey A G Johnston 12 Sep 1932  
Fg Off Eric J K Megaw 30 Mar 1933  
Fg Off David W Bayne 21 Jan 1930 later A/Cdre
Fg Off Basil P Reynolds 23 Feb 1932  
Fg Off Reginald B Wardman 12 Feb 1932  
Fg Off William J Blighty 23 Feb 1932  
Fg Off Reginald J W Barnett 12 Feb 1932  
Fg Off Arthur H Garland 26 May 1932  
Fg Off

Thomas N Coslett

16 Oct 1931 later AM
Fg Off Hugh V Horner 11 Oct 1932  
Fg Off Philip A de G Tettenborn  7 Feb 1933 Pilotage (Navigation) duties
Fg Off George A Bartlett 28 Feb 1933  
Plt Off Geoffrey H O Mills 18 Oct 1932  
Plt Off Stephen P Langston 18 Oct 1932  
Plt Off Raymond E de Pentheay O'Kelly  7 Feb 1933  
Plt Off Robert J Gosnell  7 Feb 1933  
Stores Branch
Fg Off Morton S Shapcott 12 Jan 1930 later A/Cdre
Medical Branch
Fg Off Edward Corner 15 May 1931 MRCS, LRCP
Warrant Officers - 2nd Class
WO II Robert M Wildbore 17 Nov 1931  
WO II Arthur C Thorne 17 Nov 1932  

Source - July 1933 Air Force List

January 1934

Aircraft operated Location Command/Group
Westland Wapiti Quetta, India RAF India/No 3 (Indian) Wing

 

Rank Name Date Notes
Sqn Ldr

Aubrey B Ellwood

12 Dec 1932 Officer Commanding, DSC, later AM
Sqn Ldr

Cyril N Ellen

15 Nov 1933 Officer Commanding (Designate), DFC; later A/Cdre
Flt Lt Harry R McL Reid  7 Feb 1933  
Flt Lt Robert L Edward 16 Oct 1931  
Flt Lt George W Gay  8 Oct 1929 Signals duties
Flt Lt Richard C Hancock 18 Oct 1933  
Flt Lt Geoffrey A G Johnston 12 Sep 1932  
Fg Off Eric J K Megaw 30 Mar 1933  
Fg Off Herbert G J Purcell 21 Apr 1933  
Fg Off Basil P Reynolds 23 Feb 1932  
Fg Off Reginald B Wardman 12 Feb 1932  
Fg Off William J Blighty 23 Feb 1932  
Fg Off Reginald J W Barnett 12 Feb 1932  
Fg Off Arthur H Garland 26 May 1932  
Fg Off

Thomas N Coslett

16 Oct 1931 later AM
Fg Off Hugh V Horner 11 Oct 1932  
Fg Off Philip A de G Tettenborn  7 Feb 1933 Pilotage (Navigation) duties
Fg Off George A Bartlett 28 Feb 1933  
Plt Off Geoffrey H O Mills 18 Oct 1932  
Plt Off Stephen P Langston 18 Oct 1932  
Plt Off Robert J Gosnell  7 Feb 1933  
Plt Off Colin M Stewart 24 Oct 1933 later AVM
Stores Branch
Fg Off Morton S Shapcott 12 Jan 1930 later A/Cdre
Warrant Officers - 2nd Class
WO II Robert M Wildbore 17 Nov 1931  
WO II Arthur C Thorne 17 Nov 1932  

Source - January 1934 Air Force List

Personnel Movements: Jan 1934 - Jul 1934

Rank Name Date Notes
Fg Off Geoffrey H O Mills xx Jun 1934 Attended Western Command Intelligence Course 1934
Fg Off Stephen P Langston xx Jun 1934 Attended Western Command Intelligence Course 1934

Source - No 5 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/63)

July 1934

Aircraft operated Location Command/Group
Westland Wapiti Quetta, India RAF India/No 3 (Indian) Wing

 

Rank Name Date Notes
Sqn Ldr

Cyril N Ellen

15 Nov 1933 Officer Commanding, DFC; later A/Cdre
Flt Lt Harry R McL Reid  7 Feb 1933  
Flt Lt Cuthbert J Collingwood  9 Mar 1934 DFC
Flt Lt George W Gay  8 Oct 1929 Signals duties
Flt Lt Richard C Hancock 18 Oct 1933  
Flt Lt Frank D Biggs 15 Feb 1934  
Flt Lt John B Fyfe 19 Mar 1933  
Flt Lt Geoffrey A G Johnston 12 Sep 1932  
Fg Off Reginald B Wardman 12 Feb 1932  
Fg Off Reginald J W Barnett 12 Feb 1932  
Fg Off Basil P Reynolds 23 Feb 1932  
Fg Off Hugh V Horner 11 Oct 1932  
Fg Off Philip A de G Tettenborn  7 Feb 1933 Pilotage (Navigation) duties
Fg Off Edgar B Waddy  1 Apr 1934  
Fg Off George A Bartlett 28 Feb 1933  
Fg Off Geoffrey H O Mills 18 Oct 1932  
Fg Off Stephen P Langston 18 Oct 1932  
Fg Off George P Woodhouse 26 Feb 1934  
Fg Off Herbert J Kirkpatrick 15 Feb 1934 later AVM
Fg Off Robert J Gosnell  7 Feb 1933  
Plt Off Bernard H Becker 15 Feb 1934  
Plt Off Bernard A Chacksfield 15 Feb 1934 later AVM
Plt Off Robert G Watson 15 Feb 1934  
Plt Off Colin M Stewart 24 Oct 1933 later AVM
Stores Branch
Fg Off Arthur E Evans 15 Feb 1934 DFC
Warrant Officers - 2nd Class
WO II Robert M Wildbore 17 Nov 1931  

Source - July 1934 Air Force List

Personnel Movements: Jul 1934 - Jul 1935

Rank Name Date Notes
Plt Off Bernard H Becker 20 Oct 1934 Proceeded to Belgaum to attend a Gas Course (1 month)
Flt Lt

William A Opie

 6 Apr 1935 Arrived on posting, wef 15 Mar 1935
Plt Off Howard V Alloway  6 Apr 1935 Arrived on posting, wef 14 Mar 1935
Plt Off Charles R Paylor  6 Apr 1935 Arrived on posting, wef 14 Mar 1935
Plt Off John E Kirk  9 Apr 1935 Arrived on posting, wef 14 Mar 1935
Plt Off Desmond G H Spencer  9 Apr 1935 Arrived on posting, wef 14 Mar 1935
Flt Lt Richard C Hancock 14 Apr 1935 Departed on posting
Fg Off Reginald B Wardman 14 Apr 1935 Departed on posting
Fg Off Reginald J W Barnett 14 Apr 1935 Departed on posting
Fg Off Hugh V Horner   Departed on posting
Fg Off Herbert J Kirkpatrick   Departed on posting
Plt Off Charles R Paylor 31 May 1935 Killed in the Quetta Earthquake whilst on duty as Orderly Officer
Cpl G Brunsdon 31 May 1935 Killed in the Quetta Earthquake
Sgt J Burgess 31 May 1935 Died from injuries sustained in the Quetta Earthquake
Sgt A Carr 31 May 1935 Died from injuries sustained in the Quetta Earthquake
AC2 L Carter 31 May 1935 Killed in the Quetta Earthquake
Cpl H R Cope 31 May 1935 Killed in the Quetta Earthquake
AC1 A W F Craig 31 May 1935 Killed in the Quetta Earthquake
LAC D S Fleisig 31 May 1935 Killed in the Quetta Earthquake
LAC N Gelder 31 May 1935 Killed in the Quetta Earthquake
LAC G J Harman 31 May 1935 Died from injuries sustained in the Quetta Earthquake
Cpl D F Henderson 31 May 1935 Killed in the Quetta Earthquake
LAC O E Jones 31 May 1935 Killed in the Quetta Earthquake
AC1 J Lunt 31 May 1935 Killed in the Quetta Earthquake
LAC R J Miller 31 May 1935 Killed in the Quetta Earthquake
AC1 C W S Neeve 31 May 1935 Killed in the Quetta Earthquake
Cpl J G Parry 31 May 1935 Killed in the Quetta Earthquake
AC2 H Percival 31 May 1935 Killed in the Quetta Earthquake
AC1 J C Ratcliffe 31 May 1935 Killed in the Quetta Earthquake
Flt Sgt C E S Taylor 31 May 1935 Died from injuries sustained in the Quetta Earthquake
AC1 J A Trainor 31 May 1935 Killed in the Quetta Earthquake
LAC T V Wilson 31 May 1935 Killed in the Quetta Earthquake
Cpl W H Wilton 31 May 1935 Killed in the Quetta Earthquake
LAC J Pendlebury 31 May 1935 Killed in the Quetta Earthquake
Flt Lt

William A Opie

31 May 1935 Injured in the Quetta Earthquake
Fg Off E B Waddy 31 May 1935 Injured in the Quetta Earthquake
Flt Sgt W Sargant 31 May 1935 Injured in the Quetta Earthquake
Sgt T Seaton 31 May 1935 Injured in the Quetta Earthquake
Sgt W Phillips 31 May 1935 Injured in the Quetta Earthquake
Cpl B Fenn 31 May 1935 Injured in the Quetta Earthquake
Cpl R Frost 31 May 1935 Injured in the Quetta Earthquake
Cpl T Reeves 31 May 1935 Injured in the Quetta Earthquake
Cpl C Cockwell 31 May 1935 Injured in the Quetta Earthquake
LAC E Farmer 31 May 1935 Injured in the Quetta Earthquake
LAC R Frost 31 May 1935 Injured in the Quetta Earthquake
LAC D Garston 31 May 1935 Injured in the Quetta Earthquake
LAC T Deacon 31 May 1935 Injured in the Quetta Earthquake
LAC F Bigg 31 May 1935 Injured in the Quetta Earthquake
LAC C Denney 31 May 1935 Injured in the Quetta Earthquake
LAC W Rees 31 May 1935 Injured in the Quetta Earthquake
LAC G Beattie 31 May 1935 Injured in the Quetta Earthquake
LAC J Lealy 31 May 1935 Injured in the Quetta Earthquake
LAC A Banks 31 May 1935 Injured in the Quetta Earthquake
AC1 S Smith 31 May 1935 Injured in the Quetta Earthquake

Source - No 5 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/63)

Organisational Movements: Jul 1934 - Jul 1935

Date Notes
31 May 1935 The squadron was involved in the Quetta Eartquake
 5 Jun 1935 1st Air Party departed from Quetta for Drigh Road, Karachi
 6 Jun 1935 1st Air Party arrived at Drigh Road, Karachi
 6 Jun 1935 Advance Party departed from Quetta for Drigh Road, Karachi by rail
 9 Jun 1935 Main Party departed from Quetta for Drigh Road, Karachi by rail
11 Jun 1935 2nd Air Party departed from Quetta for Drigh Road, Karachi

Source - No 5 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/63)

July 1935

Aircraft operated Location Command/Group
Westland Wapiti Drigh Road, India RAF India/No 3 (Indian) Wing

 

Rank Name Date Notes
Sqn Ldr

Cyril N Ellen

15 Nov 1933 Officer Commanding, DFC; later A/Cdre
Flt Lt

William A Opie

15 Mar 1935 later AVM
Flt Lt

Arthur F Hutton

27 Oct 1934 later A/Cdre
Flt Lt Claude H Turner  5 Oct 1934  
Flt Lt Frank D Biggs 15 Feb 1934  
Flt Lt Thomas W Hodgson 23 Jan 1935 Signals duties
Fg Off Philip A de G Tettenborn  7 Feb 1933 Pilotage (Navigation) duties
Fg Off Edgar B Waddy  1 Apr 1934  
Fg Off George A Bartlett 28 Feb 1933  
Fg Off George P Woodhouse 26 Feb 1934  
Fg Off Herbert J Kirkpatrick 15 Feb 1934 later AVM
Fg Off Colin M Stewart 24 Oct 1933 later AVM
Fg Off Bernard H Becker 15 Feb 1934  
Fg Off Bernard A Chacksfield 15 Feb 1934 later AVM
Fg Off Robert G Watson 15 Feb 1934
Fg Off Charles E S Lockett 24 Mar 1935 later A/Cdre
Plt Off John E Kirk 14 Mar 1935  
Plt Off Howard V Alloway 14 Mar 1935  
Plt Off Desmond G H Spencer 14 Mar 1935  
Stores Branch
Fg Off Charles H E Lyster 27 Oct 1934  
Medical Branch
Flt Lt James S Carshaw 23 Nov 1934 MB, ChB
Warrant Officers
WO Robert M Wildbore 17 Nov 1931  
Warrant Officers - 2nd Class
WO II Ernest E Holmes  2 May 1935  

Source - July 1935 Air Force List

Personnel Movements: Jul 1935 - Jul 1936

Rank Name Date Notes
Sqn Ldr

Cyril N Ellen

13 Jul 1935 Relinquished command of No 5 Sqn
Sqn Ldr Philip F Fullard 13 Jul 1935 Assumed command of No 5 Sqn
Sqn Ldr

Cyril N Ellen

15 Jul 1935 Invalided to Home Establishment
Flt Lt

Richard K Hamblin

20 Jul 1935 Arrived on posting for Signals duties
Flt Lt

William A Opie

20 Jul 1935 Invalided to Home Establishment
Flt Lt Thomas W Hodgson 20 Jul 1935 Invalided to Home Establishment
Sgt G W Brereton  5 Sep 1935 Killed in an explosion
LAC R A Ayres  5 Sep 1935 Killed in an explosion
Cpl S E Fraser  5 Sep 1935 Injured in an explosion
Cpl R Frost  5 Sep 1935 Injured in an explosion
LAC A L Tyler  5 Sep 1935 Injured in an explosion
LAC F Burton  5 Sep 1935 Injured in an explosion
LAC C E Johnson  5 Sep 1935 Injured in an explosion
Flt Lt Herbert F Harvey  8 Oct 1935 Arrived on posting for duty as Medical Officer
Flt Lt James S Carshaw  9 Oct 1935 Medical Officer, departed on posting
Flt Lt

Geoffrey W Tuttle

25 Oct 1935 Arrived on posting
Fg Off Arthur M A Birch  6 Nov 1935 Arrived on posting, wef 17 Oct 1935
Sqn Ldr Philip F Fullard 31 Dec 1935 Relinquished command on being posted to Home Establishment on sick leave
Flt Lt

Arthur F Hutton

31 Dec 1935 Assumed temporary command of No 5 Sqn
Flt Lt R F Smith 24 Feb 1936 Arrived on posting
Sqn Ldr Harry R McL Reid 25 Feb 1936 Arrived on posting and command of No 5 Sqn
Flt Lt

Arthur F Hutton

25 Feb 1936 Relinquished temporary command of No 5 Sqn
Plt Off D C Smith 25 Feb 1936 Arrived on posting, wef 28 Jan 1936
Plt Off Tristram B de la P Beresford 25 Feb 1936 Arrived on posting, wef 28 Jan 1936
Fg Off Colin M Stewart 26 Feb 1936 Departed on posting
Fg Off Edgar B Waddy 29 Feb 1936 Departed on posting
Plt Off K N Lees  4 Mar 1936 Arrived on posting, wef 28 Jan 1936
Plt Off W E Surplice  4 Mar 1936 Arrived on posting, wef 28 Jan 1936
Plt Off F A Holmes  4 Mar 1936 Arrived on posting, wef 28 Jan 1936
Fg Off G E Jackson  2 Apr 1936 Arrived on posting, wef 14 Mar 1936
Flt Lt

Arthur F Hutton

xx Jun 1936 Posted to No 28 Sqn to assume command

Source - No 5 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/63)

Organisational Movements: Jul 1935 - Jul 1936

Date Notes
14 Jul 1935 Salvage Party arrived at Drigh Road, Karachi from Quetta
 1 Aug 1935 Ground Party and squadron equipment departed Drigh Road, Karachi for RAF Risalpur by rail
 4 Aug 1935 Ground Party and squadron equipment arrived at RAF Risalpur by rail
 8 Aug 1935 2nd Air Party arrived at RAF Risalpur
19 Aug 1935 Operational control assumed by No 1 (Indian) Group
 2 Sep 1935 Operational control was transferred from No 1 (Indian) Group to No 2 (Indian Wing) Station
 1 Oct 1935 Advance Party, arrived at RAF Chaklala
14 Oct 1935 Main Party, arrived at RAF Chaklala
15 Oct 1935 Air Party, arrived at RAF Chaklala

Source - No 5 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/63)

July 1936

Aircraft operated Location Command/Group
Westland Wapiti Chaklala, India RAF India

 

Rank Name Date Notes
Sqn Ldr Harry R McL Reid 25 Feb 1936 Officer Commanding,
Flt Lt

Arthur F Hutton

27 Oct 1934 DFC; later A/Cdre
Flt Lt

Geoffrey W Tuttle

25 Oct 1935 later AM
Flt Lt

Richard K Hamblin

20 Jul 1935 later A/Cdre
Flt Lt Claude H Turner  5 Oct 1934  
Flt Lt A H Garland 19 Feb 1936  
Flt Lt R F Smith 24 Feb 1936  
Flt Lt Philip A de G Tettenborn  7 Feb 1933 Pilotage (Navigation) duties
Flt Lt Charles E S Lockett 24 Mar 1935 later A/Cdre
Fg Off George P Woodhouse 26 Feb 1934  
Fg Off Bernard H Becker 15 Feb 1934  
Fg Off Bernard A Chacksfield 15 Feb 1934 later AVM
Fg Off Robert G Watson 15 Feb 1934
Fg Off John E Kirk 14 Mar 1935  
Fg Off Howard V Alloway 14 Mar 1935  
Fg Off Desmond G H Spencer 14 Mar 1935  
Fg Off G E Jackson 14 Mar 1936  
Fg Off Arthur M A Birch 17 Oct 1935  
Plt Off K N Lees 28 Jan 1936  
Plt Off Tristram B de la P Beresford 28 Jan 1936 later A/Cdre
Plt Off W E Surplice 28 Jan 1936  
Plt Off F A Holmes 28 Jan 1936  
Plt Off D C Smith 28 Jan 1936  
Equipment Branch
Fg Off Charles H E Lyster 27 Oct 1934  
Medical Branch
Flt Lt Herbert F Harvey  9 Oct 1935 MB, BS
Warrant Officers
WO G H Sawyer 25 Apr 1936  
Warrant Officers - 2nd Class
WO II J Burns 17 Apr 1936  

Source - July 1936 Air Force List

August 1936

Source - August 1936 Air Force List

Personnel Movements: Jul 1936 - Jul 1937

Rank Name Date Notes
Fg Off Charles E S Lockett  1 Aug 1936 Departed on posting
Flt Lt Claude H Turner xx Sep 1936 Departed on posting
Flt Lt W D Anderson 18 Oct 1936 Arrived on posting
Fg Off Bernard H Becker 19 Feb 1937 Posted to Home Establishment
Fg Off Bernard A Chacksfield 22 Feb 1937 Posted to Home Establishment
Fg Off Robert G Watson 22 Feb 1937 Posted to Home Establishment
Fg Off K N Lees 11 Mar 1937 Killed in a flying accident
Fg Off R C O'Grady 12 Mar 1937 Arrived on posting for Medical duties, wef 11 Feb 1937
Plt Off W O L Smith 12 Mar 1937 Arrived on posting
Flt Lt Herbert F Harvey 14 Mar 1937 Medical Officer, posted to Home Establishment
Flt Lt

Geoffrey W Tuttle

17 Mar 1937 Posted to Home Establishment
Flt Lt R F Smith 17 Mar 1937 Posted to Home Establishment
Sqn Ldr Harry R McL Reid 17 Mar 1937 Relinquished command of No 5 Sqn on posting to Home Establishment
Sqn Ldr

Leslie W Cannon

31 Mar 1937 Arrived on posting, wef 22 Mar 1937 and assumed command of No 5 Sqn
Plt Off G C N Close 31 Mar 1937 Arrived on posting, wef 15 Dec 1936
Plt Off J F H Weston 31 Mar 1937 Arrived on posting, wef 15 Dec 1936
Flt Lt Daubney 31 Mar 1937 Posted to No 20 Sqn
Flt Lt Seymour  1 May 1937 Posted to No 28 Sqn
Fg Off Desmond G H Spencer 16 May 1937 Posted to HQ RAF India
Plt Off A S B Blomfield 16 Jun 1937 Arrived on posting, wef 25 May 1937

Source - No 5 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/63)

Organisational Movements: Jul 1936 - Jul 1937

Date Notes
6 Mar 1937 Squadron HQ moved to Miranshah
20 Apr 1937 Squadron departed Miranshah for Risalpur
xx Jun 1937 Squadron Badge authorised by HM King George VI*
No 5 Squadron badge

Source - No 5 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/63), except *

The Squadron Badge on this page is Crown Copyright and has been produced by Mary Denton on behalf of the RAF Heraldry Trust and is displayed on this page with the permission of the RAFHT.

© Crown Copyright is reproduced with the permission of the Directorate of Intellectual Property Rights

July 1937

Aircraft operated Location Command/Group
Westland Wapiti Risalpur, India RAF India

 

Rank Name Date Notes
Sqn Ldr

Leslie W Cannon

22 Mar 1937 Officer Commanding, later AVM
Flt Lt

Richard K Hamblin

20 Jul 1935 later A/Cdre
Flt Lt F A J Pollock-Gore 15 Sep 1936  
Flt Lt W D Anderson 18 Oct 1936 DFC
Flt Lt P de G H Seymour 24 Oct 1936  
Fg Off John E Kirk 14 Mar 1935  
Fg Off Howard V Alloway 14 Mar 1935  
Fg Off G E Jackson 14 Mar 1936  
Fg Off Arthur M A Birch 17 Oct 1935  
Fg Off Tristram B de la P Beresford 28 Jan 1936 later A/Cdre
Fg Off W E Surplice 28 Jan 1936  
Fg Off D C Smith 28 Jan 1936  
Fg Off F A Holmes 28 Jan 1936  
Plt Off William I C Inness 15 Dec 1936 later A/Cdre
Plt Off O Godfrey 15 Dec 1936  
Plt Off G C N Close 15 Dec 1936
Plt Off J F H Weston 15 Dec 1936  
Plt Off A S B Blomfield 25 May 1937  
Equipment Branch
Fg Off Charles H E Lyster 27 Oct 1934  
Medical Branch
Fg Off R C O'Grady 11 Feb 1937 MB, BCh
Warrant Officers
WO G H Sawyer 25 Apr 1936  

Source - July 1937 Air Force List

Personnel Movements: Jul 1937 - Jul 1938

Rank Name Date Notes
LAC E W Joisce 20 Oct 1937 Killed in flying accident
Plt Off P N Jennings 29 Oct 1937 Arrived on attachment from No 31 Sqn
Fg Off Howard V Alloway  4 Nov 1937 Posted to Home Establishment
Sqn Ldr Harold J G E Proud  1 Dec 1937 Arrived for Staff College Quetta and assumed command of No 5 Sqn
Plt Off D I Fairburn 29 Mar 1938 Arrived on posting, wef 8 Mar 1938
Plt Off J A L Fowler 29 Mar 1938 Arrived on posting, wef 8 Mar 1938
Plt Off D E W Adamson 29 Mar 1938 Arrived on posting, wef 8 Mar 1938

Source - No 5 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/63)

Organisational Movements: Jul 1937 - Jul 1938

Date Notes
 8 Nov 1937 Squadron moved to Chaklala
21 Apr 1938 Advance Party, 'A' and 'B' Flights departed Chaklala for Risalpur
23 Apr 1938 Main Party arrived at Risalpur
23 Apr 1938 'C' Flight arrived at Risalpur from Miranshah
13 May 1938 Ground Party departed Risalpur for Arawli
14 May 1938 Air Party departed Risalpur for Arawli
14 May 1938 Ground Party arrived at Arawli
10 Jun 1938 Advance Road Party departed Arawli for Risalpur
11 Jun 1938 Main Road Party departed Arawli for Kohat
12 Jun 1938 Main Road Party departed Kohat for Risalpur

Source - No 5 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/63)

July 1938

Aircraft operated Location Command/Group
Westland Wapiti Risalpur, India RAF India

 

Rank Name Date Notes
Sqn Ldr

Harold J G E Proud

 9 Dec 1937 Officer Commanding, later A/Cdre
Flt Lt W T H Nichols  1 Oct 1937 Signals duties
Flt Lt G E Jackson 14 Mar 1936  
Act Flt Lt W E Surplice 28 Jan 1936  
Fg Off F A Holmes 28 Jan 1936 DFC
Fg Off D C Smith 28 Jan 1936  
Fg Off William I C Inness 15 Dec 1936 later A/Cdre
Fg Off O Godfrey 15 Dec 1936  
Fg Off W O L Smith 11 Feb 1937  
Fg Off J F H Weston 15 Dec 1936  
Plt Off B Barthold  8 Jan 1938  
Plt Off A S B Blomfield 25 May 1937  
Plt Off P N Jennings  1 Jan 1938  
Plt Off P J Emerton  8 Jan 1938  
Plt Off R Baron  5 Oct 1937  
Plt Off C D Lavers  5 Oct 1937  
Plt Off J G O Box  8 Jan 1938  
Plt Off D I Fairburn  8 Mar 1937  
Plt Off J A L Fowler  8 Mar 1937  
Plt Off D E W Adamson  8 Mar 1937
Equipment Branch
Act Flt Lt P G Bullen  6 Dec 1937  
Medical Branch
Fg Off R C O'Grady 11 Feb 1937 MB, BCh
Education Officer
Mr E A Stockwell 15 Apr 1937 Grade III, BA
Warrant Officers
WO C H Thorogood 29 Mar 1938  
WO B W Killington 12 Mar 1937  

Source - July 1938 Air Force List

Personnel Movements: Jul 1938 - Jan 1939

Rank Name Date Notes
Flt Lt R C O'Grady 29 Sep 1938 Medical Officer, posted to HQ, No 2 (Indian) Wing
Fg Off G E Jackson 30 Sep 1938 Posted to HQ No 2 (Indian) Wing for Air Staff duties
Fg Off O Godfrey  6 Oct 1938 Posted to No 84 Sqn
Act Flt Lt W E Surplice 15 Oct 1938 Posted to Aircraft Depot, Karachi for Flying duties
Fg Off J P Cody 11 Nov 1938 Arrived on posting for Equipment duties
Sqn Ldr Harold J G E Proud 24 Nov 1938 Relinquished command of No 5 Sqn on posting to Home Establishment
Flt Lt P G Bullen 24 Nov 1938 Equipment Officer, departed on posting to Home Establishment
Fg Off P J MacNamara 25 Nov 1938 Arrived on posting for Medical duties, wef 25 Oct 1938
Plt Off W D Adams 25 Nov 1938 Arrived on posting, wef 25 Oct 1938
Plt Off N H Elliott 25 Nov 1938 Arrived on posting, wef 25 Oct 1938
Flt Lt W T H Nichols 28 Nov 1938 Assumed command of No 5 Sqn
Flt Lt W T H Nichols  1 Dec 1938 Promoted to Sqn Ldr
AIR 27/63 entries end at 15 Dec 1938

Source - No 5 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/63)

January 1939

Aircraft operated Location Command/Group
Westland Wapiti Risalpur, India RAF India

 

Rank Name Date Notes
Sqn Ldr

Harold J G E Proud

 9 Dec 1937 Officer Commanding, later A/Cdre
Sqn Ldr W T H Nichols  1 Oct 1937 Signals duties
Act Flt Lt F A Holmes 28 Jan 1936 DFC
Act Flt Lt D C Smith 28 Jan 1936  
Fg Off William I C Inness 15 Dec 1936 later A/Cdre
Fg Off W O L Smith 11 Feb 1937  
Fg Off J F H Weston 15 Dec 1936  
Fg Off B Barthold  8 Jan 1938  
Fg Off A S B Blomfield 25 May 1937  
Fg Off P N Jennings  1 Jan 1938  
Fg Off P J Emerton  8 Jan 1938  
Plt Off R Baron  5 Oct 1937  
Plt Off C D Lavers  5 Oct 1937  
Plt Off J G O Box  8 Jan 1938  
Plt Off D I Fairburn  8 Mar 1937  
Plt Off J A L Fowler  8 Mar 1937  
Plt Off D E W Adamson  8 Mar 1937
Plt Off W D Adams 25 Oct 1938  
Plt Off N H Elliott 25 Oct 1938  
Equipment Branch
Act Flt Lt P G Bullen  6 Dec 1937  
Fg Off J P Cody 11 Nov 1938  
Medical Branch
Fg Off P J MacNamara 25 Oct 1938 LRCP & S
Education Officer
Mr E A Stockwell 15 Apr 1937 Grade III, BA
Warrant Officers
WO C H Thorogood 29 Mar 1938  

Source - January 1939 Air Force List

Personnel Movements: Jul 1938 - Jan 1939

Rank Name Date Notes
Plt Off E F Cawdrey 12 Jan 1939 Arrived on posting from No 3 FTS, wef 30 Dec 1938
Plt Off A Garfoot 12 Jan 1939 Arrived on posting from No 3 FTS, wef 30 Dec 1938
Plt Off G J H Chrystall 16 Jan 1939 Arrived on posting from RAF Old Sarum, wef 23 Dec 1938
Fg Off William I C Inness 20 Jan 1939 Posted to AHQ British Forces in Iraq
Fg Off W O L Smith 26 Jan 1939 Posted to No 31 Sqn
Plt Off D E W Adamson  6 Feb 1939 Posted to HQ No 1 (Indian) Group for Air Staff duties
Sqn Ldr W T H Nichols 24 Feb 1939 Proceeded to Belgaum for the 54th Course at the Senior Officers' School
Plt Off J F H Weston  6 Mar 1939 Departed on posting to Home Establishment
Plt Off W D W Bird  6 Mar 1939 Arrived on posting, wef 10 Feb 1939
Plt Off J E T Halle  6 Mar 1939 Arrived on posting, wef 10 Feb 1939
Plt Off M Savage  6 Mar 1939 Arrived on posting, wef 10 Feb 1939
Plt Off M Stockdale  6 Mar 1939 Arrived on posting, wef 10 Feb 1939
WO Thorogood 15 Mar 1939 Engineer Officer, posted to HQ No 2 (Indian) Wing
Sqn Ldr W T H Nichols 21 Mar 1939 Recalled from Belgaum to take command of operations at Miranshah
Fg Off C D Lavers 21 Mar 1939 Posted to HQ No 2 (Indian) Wing for Flt Lt - Administrative duties
Plt Off W D W Bird 15 Apr 1939 Posted to No 60 Sqn

Source - No 5 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/65)

Organisational Movements: Jul 1938 - Jan 1939

Date Notes
 1 May 1939 'B' and 'C' Flights amalgamated into a new 'B' Flight

Source - No 5 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/65)

April 1939

Aircraft operated Location Command/Group
Westland Wapiti Risalpur, India RAF India

 

Rank Name Date Notes
Sqn Ldr W T H Nichols  1 Oct 1937 Officer Commanding, Signals duties
Act Flt Lt F A Holmes 28 Jan 1936 DFC
Act Flt Lt D C Smith 28 Jan 1936  
Fg Off J F H Weston 15 Dec 1936  
Fg Off B Barthold  8 Jan 1938  
Fg Off A S B Blomfield 25 May 1937  
Fg Off P N Jennings  1 Jan 1938  
Fg Off P J Emerton  8 Jan 1938  
Fg Off C D Lavers  5 Oct 1937  
Fg Off J G O Box  8 Jan 1938  
Fg Off D I Fairburn  8 Mar 1937  
Plt Off R Baron  5 Oct 1937  
Plt Off J A L Fowler  8 Mar 1937  
Plt Off W D Adams 25 Oct 1938  
Plt Off N H Elliott 25 Oct 1938  
Plt Off G J H Chrystall 23 Dec 1938
Plt Off E F Cawdrey 30 Dec 1938
Plt Off A Garfoot 30 Dec 1938
Plt Off W D W Bird 10 Feb 1939
Plt Off J E T Halle 10 Feb 1939
Plt Off M Savage 10 Feb 1939
Plt Off M Stockdale 10 Feb 1939  
Equipment Branch
Fg Off J P Cody 11 Nov 1938  
Medical Branch
Fg Off P J MacNamara 25 Oct 1938 LRCP & S
Warrant Officers
WO C H Thorogood 29 Mar 1938  

Source - April 1939 Confidential Air Force List

May 1939

Aircraft operated Location Command/Group
Westland Wapiti Risalpur, India RAF India

 

Rank Name Date Notes
Sqn Ldr W T H Nichols  1 Oct 1937 Officer Commanding, Signals duties
Act Flt Lt F A Holmes 28 Jan 1936 DFC
Act Flt Lt D C Smith 28 Jan 1936  
Fg Off J F H Weston 15 Dec 1936  
Fg Off B Barthold  8 Jan 1938  
Fg Off A S B Blomfield 25 May 1937  
Fg Off P N Jennings  1 Jan 1938  
Fg Off P J Emerton  8 Jan 1938  
Fg Off C D Lavers  5 Oct 1937  
Fg Off J G O Box  8 Jan 1938  
Fg Off D I Fairburn  8 Mar 1937  
Fg Off R Baron  5 Oct 1937  
Fg Off J A L Fowler  8 Mar 1937  
Plt Off W D Adams 25 Oct 1938  
Plt Off N H Elliott 25 Oct 1938  
Plt Off G J H Chrystall 23 Dec 1938
Plt Off E F Cawdrey 30 Dec 1938
Plt Off A Garfoot 30 Dec 1938
Plt Off W D W Bird 10 Feb 1939
Plt Off J E T Halle 10 Feb 1939
Plt Off M Savage 10 Feb 1939
Plt Off M Stockdale 10 Feb 1939  
Equipment Branch
Fg Off J P Cody 11 Nov 1938  
Medical Branch
Fg Off P J MacNamara 25 Oct 1938 LRCP & S

Source - May 1939 Confidential Air Force List

Personnel Movements: May - Dec 1939

Rank Name Date Notes
Flt Lt D C Smith  2 Oct 1939 Posted to No 27 Sqn
Flt Lt A E Saunders  2 Oct 1939 Posted to No 27 Sqn
Fg Off P N Jennings  2 Oct 1939 Posted to No 27 Sqn
Fg Off D I Fairburn  2 Oct 1939 Posted to No 27 Sqn
Fg Off A S B Blomfield  2 Oct 1939 Posted to No 27 Sqn
Fg Off J G O Box  2 Oct 1939 Posted to No 27 Sqn
Fg Off R Baron  2 Oct 1939 Posted to No 27 Sqn
Plt Off E F Cawdrey  2 Oct 1939 Posted to No 27 Sqn
Plt Off A Garfoot  2 Oct 1939 Posted to No 27 Sqn
Plt Off G J H Chrystall  2 Oct 1939 Posted to No 27 Sqn
Plt Off W D Adams  2 Oct 1939 Posted to No 27 Sqn
Fg Off J P Cody  2 Oct 1939 Posted to SHQ RAF Risalpur
Plt Off E F Cawdrey  3 Dec 1939 Arrived on posting from No 27 Sqn
Plt Off W D Adams  3 Dec 1939 Arrived on posting from No 27 Sqn

Source - No 5 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/65)

Organisational Movements: May - Dec 1939

Date Notes
 1 Oct 1939 Squadron was reduced to a single flight and moved to Fort Sandeman

Source - No 5 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/65)

Personnel Movements: Jan - Dec 1940

Rank Name Date Notes
Sqn Ldr J E Garwood  1 Jun 1940 Arrived on posting for Equipment duties
Plt Off G F Morley-Mower 14 Jun 1940 Arrived on posting
Plt Off W E Bowden 14 Jun 1940 Arrived on posting
Fg Off W C Duncan 28 Jun  1940 Arrived on posting
Flt Lt E T T Nelson 17 Jul 1940 Arrived on posting
Plt Off A G Wilson 17 Jul 1940 Arrived on posting
Flt Lt A G G Baird 25 Jul 1940 Arrived on posting
Plt Off D K Wroe  1 Aug 1940 Arrived on posting for Equipment duties
Sqn Ldr J E Garwood  1 Aug 1940 Equipment Officer, posted to Air Force Station Ambala
Sqn Ldr N F Simpson 18 Aug 1940 Officer Commanding, posted to No 1 SoTT, AFS Ambala
Flt Lt E T T Nelson 18 Aug 1940 Assumed command of No 5 Sqn
Plt Off W D Adams 19 Aug 1940 Posted to No 20 Sqn
Plt Off N H Elliott 19 Aug 1940 Posted to No 28 Sqn
Plt Off W E Bowden  6 Sep 1940 Posted to No 60 Sqn
Flt Lt A B Olney 20 Sep 1940 Arrived on posting from RAF Kohat
Fg Off W C Duncan 16 Oct 1940 Posted to No 1 (I) SFTS, AFS Ambala
Flt Lt A G G Baird 10 Nov 1940 Posted to the Aircraft Depot, India
Flt Lt E T T Nelson 13 Nov 1940 Posted to the Aircraft Depot, India pending posting to Home Establishment
Sqn Ldr A J Young 14 Nov 1940 Arrived on posting and assumed command of No 5 Sqn

Source - No 5 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/65)

Organisational Movements: Jan - Dec 1940

Date Notes
10 Jun 1940 Squadron departed Fort Sandeman and move to RAF Lahore
xx Feb 1941 Squadron re-equipped with Hawker Harts and converted to the Light Bomber role
Hart of No 5 Squadron
14 Dec 1940 'B' Flight detached to RAF Kohat for operations

 

Source - No 5 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/65)

Personnel Movements: Jan - Dec 1941

Rank Name Date Notes
Plt Off H J Bell  4 Jan 1941 Arrived on posting for duty as Adjutant
Flt Lt C D Lavers 30 Jan 1941 Arrived on posting and assumed command of 'A' Flight
Sqn Ldr J R Maling 21 Feb 1941 Arrived on posting and assumed command of No 5 Sqn
Sqn Ldr A J Young 21 Feb 1941 Relinquished command of No 5 Sqn and reposted as supernumerary
Fg Off G F Morley-Mower 26 Jul 1941 Posted ex-India
Plt Off C F G Tyrell 11 Sep 1941 Arrived on posting for duty as Adjutant
Sqn Ldr B Barthold 17 Sep 1941 Posted to AHQ, India for duty as Wg Cdr (Ops)
Flt Lt G A Harris 29 Sep 1941 Arrived on posting from RAF Ambala
Flt Lt M Savage 14 Nov 1941 Posted to No 146 Sqn
       
       
Plt Off W E Bowden 14 Jun 1940 Arrived on posting
Fg Off W C Duncan 28 Jun  1940 Arrived on posting
Flt Lt E T T Nelson 17 Jul 1940 Arrived on posting
Plt Off A G Wilson 17 Jul 1940 Arrived on posting
Flt Lt A G G Baird 25 Jul 1940 Arrived on posting
Plt Off D K Wroe  1 Aug 1940 Arrived on posting for Equipment duties
Sqn Ldr J E Garwood  1 Aug 1940 Equipment Officer, posted to Air Force Station Ambala
Flt Lt E T T Nelson 18 Aug 1940 Assumed command of No 5 Sqn
Plt Off W D Adams 19 Aug 1940 Posted to No 20 Sqn
Plt Off N H Elliott 19 Aug 1940 Posted to No 28 Sqn
Plt Off W E Bowden  6 Sep 1940 Posted to No 60 Sqn
Flt Lt A B Olney 20 Sep 1940 Arrived on posting from RAF Kohat
Fg Off W C Duncan 16 Oct 1940 Posted to No 1 (I) SFTS, AFS Ambala
Flt Lt A G G Baird 10 Nov 1940 Posted to the Aircraft Depot, India
Flt Lt E T T Nelson 13 Nov 1940 Posted to the Aircraft Depot, India pending posting to Home Establishment
LAC G S Broughton 19 Dec 1940 Died from injuries

Source - No 5 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/65)

Organisational Movements: Jan - Dec 1941

Date Notes
13 Jan 1941 'B' Flight returned to RAF Lahore on ceasing to be detached to RAF Kohat
24 Jan 1941 Squadron detachment moved to RAF Drigh Road for Armament Training Camp
10 Feb 1941 Squadron detachment recalled from RAF Drigh Road to prepare for move to Risalpur
12 Feb 1941 Advance party departed RAF Lahore for  RAF Risalpur
18 Feb 1941 Air party departed RAF Lahore for RAF Risalpur
20 Feb 1941 Main party departed RAF Lahore for RAF Risalpur
26 Feb 1941 Rear party arrived at RAF Risalpur
26 Feb 1941 Squadron re-equipped with Hawker Audax on changing its role to two-seat fighter unit
Hawker Audax
28 Feb 1941 Strength of Officers and Airmen Pilots: -
  • Sqn Ldr J R Maling AFC
  • Sqn Ldr A B Olney (Supernumerary)
  • Sqn Ldr A J Young (Supernumerary)
  • Flt Lt F R C Fowle
  • Flt Lt B Barthold
  • Flt Lt C D Lavers
  • Flt Lt M Savage
  • Fg Off E F Cawdrey
  • Fg Off A G Wilson
  • Fg Off G F Morley-Mower
  • Fg Off D K Wroe (Equipment)
  • Fg Off H J Bell (Adjutant)
  • Sgt Doig
  • Sgt Ross-Magenty
  • Sgt Bellinger
  • Sgt Harris
  • Sgt Strathdee
18 Apr 1941 'A' Flight moved to RAF Dum Dum to give demonstration in the Calcutta area
 6  Jun 1941 'A' Flight returned to RAF Risalpur from RAF Dum Dum
30 Jun 1941 Strength of Officers and Airmen Pilots: -
  • Sqn Ldr J R Maling AFC
  • Sqn Ldr A J Young (Supernumerary)
  • Flt Lt B Barthold
  • Flt Lt C D Lavers
  • Flt Lt F F Lambert - detached to No 2 (Indian) Group
  • Flt Lt M Savage
  • Fg Off G F Morley-Mower
  • Fg Off A G Wilson
  • APO J Rashleigh
  • Plt Off W N Hardy
  • Fg Off D K Wroe (Equipment)
  • Plt Off H J Bell (Adjutant) - detached to SHQ Risalpur
  • Sgt Doig
  • Sgt Ross-Magenty
  • Sgt Bellinger
  • Sgt Strathdee
  • Sgt Ryde
  • Sgt Tovey
  • Sgt Bates
  • Sgt Garnett
  • Sgt Hayes
  • Sgt Hullneck
  • Sgt Campbell
  • Sgt Wicks
  • Sgt Currin
30 Sep 1941 Strength of Officers and Airmen Pilots: -
  • Sqn Ldr J R Maling AFC
  • Sqn Ldr A J Young (Supernumerary)
  • Flt Lt C D Lavers
  • Flt Lt M Savage
  • Flt Lt A G Wilson
  • Plt Off J Rashleigh
  • Plt Off C F G Tyrell (Adjutant)
  • Fg Off D K Wroe (Equipment)
  • Sgt Bellinger
  • Sgt Tovey
  • Sgt Bates
  • Sgt Garnett
  • Sgt Hayes
  • Sgt Campbell
  • Sgt Wicks
  • Sgt Currin
  • Sgt Hullneck
  • Sgt Gage
  • Sgt Strathdee
  • Sgt Cameron
20 Oct 1946 20 x Airmen posted to form a new squadron, No 146 at Risalpur
19 - 24 Nov 1941 All pilots and some technical personnel attended short conversion course on Mohawk aircraft
30 Nov 1941 Strength of Officers and Airmen Pilots: -
  • Sqn Ldr J R Maling AFC
  • Flt Lt C D Lavers
  • Flt Lt G A Harris
  • Flt Lt A G Wilson
  • Plt Off J Rashleigh
  • Plt Off Bellinger
  • Plt Off Tovey
  • Plt Off P P Stares (Adjutant)
  • Fg Off D K Wroe (Equipment)
  • Sgt Bates
  • Sgt Garnett
  • Sgt Campbell
  • Sgt Wicks
  • Sgt Currin
  • Sgt Cameron
11 - 15 Dec 1941 Squadron moved from Risalpur to RAF Dum Dum to take over the defence of Calcutta due to entry of Japan to the war
15 Dec 1941 Conversion of two seat aircraft to single seat aircraft commenced
29 Dec 1941 First Mohawk aircraft collected by the squadron
Curtiss Mohawk IV of No 5 Squadron
31 Dec 1941 A second Mohawk aircraft was collected by the squadron from RAF Drigh Road

Source - No 5 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/65)

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