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No 56 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 1928 | Jul 1929 | Jul 1930 | Aug 1930 | Sep 1930 | Oct 1930 | Nov 1930 | Dec 1930 | Jul 1931 | Jul 1932 | Jul 1933 | Jan 1934 | Jul 1934 | Jul 1935 | Jul 1936 | 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 RAF Aboukir by redesignating No 80 Squadron, equipped with Sopwith Snipes.
Snipe of No 56 Squadron

Source - No 56 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/527)

July 1920

Aircraft operated Location Command/Group
Sopwith Snipe Aboukir, Egypt Egyptian Group

 

Rank Name Branch Date Notes
Sqn Ldr Phillip Babington A 15 Dec 1919 Officer Commanding; MC, DFC, later AM
Flt Lt Edward R Pretyman A 15 Dec 1919  
Fg Off Leslie G Wood A 15 Dec 1919  
Fg Off Frederick W Deane A 15 Dec 1919 DFC
Fg Off Maxwell H Coote A 23 Feb 1920  
Fg Off Arthur P Livingstone Ad  8 Jun 1918  
Fg Off Charles E Maitland A 25 Jan 1918 DFC
Fg Off Alan Jerrard A 19 Feb 1920 VC
Fg Off Stanley M Park A 19 Feb 1920  
Fg Off Thomas S Horry A 19 Feb 1920 DFC
Fg Off Maurice M Freehill A 30 Sep 1918 DFC
Fg Off William W McConnachie A 15 Dec 1919  
Fg Off Reginald W Godfrey A 15 Dec 1919  
Fg Off James T Paine A 15 Dec 1919  
Fg Off John S Griffiths A 19 Feb 1920 DFC
Fg Off William N Plenderleith A 15 Dec 1919  
Fg Off Christopher Ayling A 24 Feb 1920  
Fg Off Leslie W Park Ad  2 Jun 1920  
Fg Off Charles E Tidy Stores 24 Feb 1920  
Fg Off John Bradbury A 10 Mar 1919  
Fg Off John M Wyer T 23 Apr 1919  

Source - July 1920 Air Force List

August 1920

Aircraft operated Location Command/Group
Sopwith Snipe Aboukir, Egypt Egyptian Group

 

Rank Name Branch Date Notes
Sqn Ldr Phillip Babington A 15 Dec 1919 Officer Commanding; MC, DFC, later AM
Flt Lt Edward R Pretyman A 15 Dec 1919  
Fg Off Leslie G Wood A 15 Dec 1919  
Fg Off Frederick W Deane A 15 Dec 1919 DFC
Fg Off Maxwell H Coote A 23 Feb 1920  
Fg Off Arthur P Livingstone Ad  8 Jun 1918  
Fg Off Charles E Maitland A 25 Jan 1918 DFC
Fg Off Alan Jerrard A 19 Feb 1920 VC
Fg Off Stanley M Park A 19 Feb 1920  
Fg Off Thomas S Horry A 19 Feb 1920 DFC
Fg Off Maurice M Freehill A 30 Sep 1918 DFC
Fg Off William W McConnachie A 15 Dec 1919  
Fg Off James T Paine A 15 Dec 1919  
Fg Off John S Griffiths A 19 Feb 1920 DFC
Fg Off William N Plenderleith A 15 Dec 1919  
Fg Off Christopher Ayling A 24 Feb 1920  
Fg Off Leslie W Park Ad  2 Jun 1920  
Fg Off Charles E Tidy Stores 24 Feb 1920  

Source - August 1920 Air Force List

April 1921

Aircraft operated Location Command/Group
Sopwith Snipe Aboukir, Egypt Egyptian Group

 

Rank Name Branch Date Notes
Sqn Ldr Phillip Babington A 15 Dec 1919 Officer Commanding; MC, DFC, later AM
Flt Lt Edward R Pretyman A 15 Dec 1919  
Flt Lt John P Coleman A & S 25 Jul 1920 later A/Cdre
Fg Off George H D Gossip A 17 Nov 1920  
Fg Off Leslie G Wood A 15 Dec 1919  
Fg Off Frederick W Deane A 15 Dec 1919 DFC
Fg Off Maxwell H Coote A 23 Feb 1920  
Fg Off George D Daly T  8 Feb 1921 later AVM
Fg Off Alan Jerrard A 19 Feb 1920 VC
Fg Off Vivian S Parker A  8 Feb 1921  
Fg Off William W McConnachie A 15 Dec 1919  
Fg Off James T Paine A 15 Dec 1919  
Fg Off William N Plenderleith A 15 Dec 1919  
Fg Off Leslie W Park Ad  2 Jun 1920  
Fg Off Albert E Platford T  8 Feb 1921  
Stores Officer
Fg Off Charles E Tidy Stores 24 Feb 1920  
Medical Branch
Flt Lt Thomas N Withrow Med 30 Dec 1920  

Source - April 1921 Air Force List

July 1921

Aircraft operated Location Command/Group
Sopwith Snipe Aboukir, Egypt Egyptian Group

 

Rank Name Branch Date Notes
Sqn Ldr Phillip Babington A 15 Dec 1919 Officer Commanding; MC, DFC, later AM
Flt Lt Edward R Pretyman A 15 Dec 1919  
Flt Lt Trevor E Salt A 20 May 1921  
Flt Lt John P Coleman A & S 25 Jul 1920 later A/Cdre
Fg Off George H D Gossip A 17 Nov 1920  
Fg Off Leslie G Wood A 15 Dec 1919  
Fg Off Maxwell H Coote A 23 Feb 1920  
Fg Off George D Daly T  8 Feb 1921 later AVM
Fg Off Vivian S Parker A  8 Feb 1921  
Fg Off William W McConnachie A 15 Dec 1919  
Fg Off James T Paine A 15 Dec 1919  
Fg Off Charles L Cox A 20 May 1921  
Fg Off William N Plenderleith A 15 Dec 1919  
Fg Off Leslie W Park Ad  2 Jun 1920  
Fg Off Albert E Platford T  8 Feb 1921  
Fg Off Cecil R Stewart A 11 Apr 1921  
Stores Officer
Fg Off Charles E Tidy Stores 24 Feb 1920  
Medical Branch
Flt Lt Donald G Boddie Med  2 Apr 1921  

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
Sopwith Snipe Aboukir, Egypt Egyptian Group

 

Rank Name Date Notes
Sqn Ldr George G A Williams 10 Sep 1921 Officer Commanding
Flt Lt Edward R Pretyman 15 Dec 1919  
Flt Lt John P Coleman 25 Jul 1920 later A/Cdre
Fg Off George H D Gossip 17 Nov 1920 Killed in a flying accident - 24 Apr 1923
Fg Off Maxwell H Coote 23 Feb 1920  
Fg Off Vivian S Parker  8 Feb 1921  
Fg Off George H H Scott 10 Jun 1921 MC
Fg Off Charles L Cox 20 May 1921  
Fg Off Albert E Platford  8 Feb 1921  
Fg Off John L Wingate  1 Dec 1921 later A/Cdre
Fg Off Edward F Haylock 24 Sep 1921  
Stores Officer
Fg Off Charles E Tidy 24 Feb 1920  
Accountant
Fg Off Cecil G Prior 17 Feb 1922  
Medical Branch
Flt Lt Thomas R S Thompson  1 Feb 1922  

Source - July 1922 Air Force List

Organisational Movements: Jul 1922 - May 1923

Date Notes
23 Sep 1922 Squadron disbanded but a flight was attached to No 208 Sqn and sent to Turkey
 1 Nov 1922 Squadron reformed at RAF Hawkinge comprising a HQ and two flights, still equipped with Sopwith Snipes
 1 Nov 1922 The Flight serving in Turkey attached to HQ Constantinople Wing, was taken over a its third flight

Source - No 56 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/527)

Nominal Roll of Officer on re-formation - 1 Nov 1922

Rank Name Date Notes
Flt Lt Joseph S T Fall  1 Nov 1922 Officer Commanding (Temporary)
Flt Lt Thomas C Luke  1 Nov 1922 Adjutant
Flt Lt Charles McM Laing  1 Nov 1922  
Fg Off James T Paine  1 Nov 1922  
Fg Off Roland S Higgins  1 Nov 1922  
Fg Off

Geoffrey R C Spencer

  1 Nov 1922  
Plt Off George A F Bucknall  1 Nov 1922  
Fg Off Alan Jerrard VC  1 Nov 1922  
Fg Off Francis H Ronksley  1 Nov 1922  
Fg Off B A Davy  1 Nov 1922  
Fg Off Herbert G Brookman  1 Nov 1922  
Plt Off Maurice V Ward  1 Nov 1922  
Fg Off Archibald T Shaw  1 Nov 1922 Stores Officer
Fg Off Robert E Staggall  1 Nov 1922 Accountant

Source - No 56 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/527)

Nominal Roll of Officer serving with the Detached Flight in Turkey - 1 Nov 1922

Rank Name Date Notes
Flt Lt John P Coleman 26 Sep 1922 AFC; later A/Cdre
Fg Off George H D Gossip 26 Sep 1922  
Fg Off Vivian S Parker 26 Sep 1922  
Fg Off Charles L Cox 26 Sep 1922  
Fg Off John L Wingate 26 Sep 1922 later A/Cdre
Fg Off Ronald T Shepherd 26 Sep 1922  

Source - No 56 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/527)

Personnel Movements Nov 1922 - May 1923

Rank Name Date Notes
Sqn Ldr Ivor T Lloyd 25 Nov 1922 Arrived on posting from No 2 FTS as Officer Commanding
Flt Lt Joseph S T Fall 25 Nov 1922 Relinquished command of the squadron but assumed command of 'A' Flight
Plt Off Dudley F A Apthorp 20 Dec 1922 Arrived on posting from RAF College on appointment to a Permanent Commission
Plt Off Maurice J Fitzmaurice 20 Dec 1922 Arrived on posting from RAF College on appointment to a Permanent Commission
Fg Off B A Davy 22 Feb 1923 Posted to No 1 Sqn, Iraq
Fg Off Arthur H C A Rawson 15 Mar 1923 Arrived on posting from RAF Depot
Fg Off Roland S Higgins 15 Mar 1923 Posted to CFS
Fg Off George H D Gossip 24 Apr 1923 Killed in a flying accident

Source - No 56 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/527)

May 1923

Aircraft operated Location Command/Group
Sopwith Snipe RAF Hawkinge Inland Area/No 1 Group

 

Rank Name Date Notes
Sqn Ldr Ivor T Lloyd 25 Nov 1922 Officer Commanding; later A/Cdre
Flt Lt Joseph S T Fall  1 Nov 1922 DSC, AFC
Flt Lt Thomas C Luke  1 Nov 1922 MC
Flt Lt Charles McM Laing  1 Nov 1922 MC, AFC
Fg Off Alan Jerrard  1 Nov 1922 VC
Fg Off James C Burney-Cumming  1 Nov 1922  
Fg Off James T Paine  1 Nov 1922  
Fg Off Francis H Ronksley  1 Nov 1922 MC
Fg Off Roland S Higgins  1 Nov 1922  
Fg Off Herbert G Brookman  1 Nov 1922  
Fg Off

Geoffrey R C Spencer

  1 Nov 1922 later AVM
Fg Off Arthur H C A Rawson 15 Mar 1923  
Plt Off George A F Bucknall  1 Nov 1922  
Plt Off Maurice V Ward  1 Nov 1922  
Plt Off Dudley F A Apthorp 20 Dec 1922  
Plt Off Maurice J Fitzmaurice 20 Dec 1922 Died from injuries - 14 Jul 1923
Stores Officer
Fg Off Archibald T Shaw  1 Nov 1922  
Fg Off Robert E Staggall  1 Nov 1922 Accountant
Medical Branch
Flt Lt Charles A Harrison  8 May 1923  

 

Detached Flight

Aircraft operated Location Command/Group
Sopwith Snipe San Stephano, Turkey Constantinople Wing

 

Rank Name Date Notes
Flt Lt John P Coleman 26 Sep 1922 AFC; later A/Cdre
Fg Off Vivian S Parker 26 Sep 1922  
Fg Off Charles L Cox 26 Sep 1922  
Fg Off John L Wingate 26 Sep 1922 later A/Cdre
Fg Off Ronald T Shepherd 26 Sep 1922  

Source - May 1923 Air Force List

Personnel Movements: May - Jul 1923

Rank Name Date Notes
Plt Off Maurice J Fitzmaurice 20 Dec 1922 Died from injuries - 14 Jul 1923

Source - No 56 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/527)

Organisational Movements: May - Jul 1923

Date Notes
 7 May 1923 Squadron moved from RAF Hawkinge to RAF Biggin Hill

Source - No 56 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/527)

July 1923

Aircraft operated Location Command/Group
Sopwith Snipe RAF Biggin Hill Inland Area/No 1 Group

 

Rank Name Date Notes
Sqn Ldr Ivor T Lloyd 25 Nov 1922 Officer Commanding; later A/Cdre
Flt Lt Joseph S T Fall  1 Nov 1922 DSC, AFC
Flt Lt Thomas C Luke  1 Nov 1922 MC
Flt Lt Charles McM Laing  1 Nov 1922 MC, AFC
Fg Off Alan Jerrard  1 Nov 1922 VC
Fg Off James C Burney-Cumming  1 Nov 1922  
Fg Off James T Paine  1 Nov 1922  
Fg Off Francis H Ronksley  1 Nov 1922 MC
Fg Off Roland S Higgins  1 Nov 1922  
Fg Off Herbert G Brookman  1 Nov 1922  
Fg Off

Geoffrey R C Spencer

  1 Nov 1922 later AVM
Fg Off George A F Bucknall  1 Nov 1922  
Fg Off Arthur H C A Rawson 15 Mar 1923  
Fg Off Maurice V Ward  1 Nov 1922  
Plt Off Dudley F A Apthorp 20 Dec 1922  
Stores Officer
Fg Off Archibald T Shaw  1 Nov 1922  
Fg Off Robert E Staggall  1 Nov 1922 Accountant
Medical Branch
Flt Lt Charles A Harrison  8 May 1923  

 

Detached Flight

Aircraft operated Location Command/Group
Sopwith Snipe San Stephano, Turkey Constantinople Wing

 

Rank Name Date Notes
Flt Lt John P Coleman 26 Sep 1922 AFC; later A/Cdre
Fg Off Vivian S Parker 26 Sep 1922  
Fg Off Charles L Cox 26 Sep 1922  
Fg Off John L Wingate 26 Sep 1922 later A/Cdre
Fg Off Ronald T Shepherd 26 Sep 1922  

Source - July 1923 Air Force List

Personnel Movements Jul 1923 - Jan 1924

Rank Name Date Notes
Flt Lt Joseph S T Fall  xx Aug 1923 Posted to No 1 Sqn, Iraq
Flt Lt John P Coleman 25 Aug 1923 Returned from Turkey and proceeded on leave
Fg Off George H D Gossip 25 Aug 1923 Returned from Turkey and proceeded on leave
Fg Off Vivian S Parker 25 Aug 1923 Returned from Turkey and proceeded on leave
Fg Off Charles L Cox 25 Aug 1923 Returned from Turkey and proceeded on leave
Fg Off John L Wingate 25 Aug 1923 Returned from Turkey and proceeded on leave
Fg Off Ronald T Shepherd 25 Aug 1923 Returned from Turkey and proceeded on leave
Sqn Ldr Ivor T Lloyd 24 Sep 1923 Posted to RAF College, Cranwell
Sqn Ldr Sir Christopher J Q Brand 24 Sep 1923 Arrived on posting from RAF India as Officer Commanding
Fg Off William A C A Yearsley  8 Oct 1923 Arrived on posting from CFS
Plt Off Dudley F A Apthorp xx Oct 1923 Placed on Retired List on account of ill-health
Fg Off Alan Jerrard xx Nov 1923 Posted to CFS
Flt Lt Charles McM Laing xx Dec 1823 Posted to RAF Depot

Source - No 56 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/527)

Organisational Movements: Jul 1923 - Jan 1924

Date Notes
xx Aug 1923 Officers of the Detached Flight in Turkey arrived in the UK and joined the squadron

Source - No 56 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/527)

January 1924

Aircraft operated Location Command/Group
Sopwith Snipe RAF Biggin Hill Inland Area/No 1 Group

 

Rank Name Date Notes
Sqn Ldr

Sir Christopher J Q Brand

 24 Sep 1923 Officer Commanding; KBE, DSO, MC, DFC; later AVM
Flt Lt John P Coleman 25 Aug 1923 AFC; later A/Cdre
Flt Lt Thomas C Luke  1 Nov 1922 MC
Flt Lt Charles McM Laing  1 Nov 1922 MC, AFC
Fg Off Alan Jerrard  1 Nov 1922 VC
Fg Off Vivian S Parker 23 Aug 1923  
Fg Off James T Paine  1 Nov 1922  
Fg Off Charles L Cox 26 Sep 1922  
Fg Off Francis H Ronksley  1 Nov 1922 MC
Fg Off John L Wingate 26 Sep 1922 later A/Cdre
Fg Off Ronald T Shepherd 26 Sep 1922  
Fg Off

Geoffrey R C Spencer

  1 Nov 1922 later AVM
Fg Off George A F Bucknall  1 Nov 1922  
Fg Off Maurice V Ward  1 Nov 1922  
Fg Off William A C A Yearsley  8 Oct 1923  
Stores Officer
Fg Off Archibald T Shaw  1 Nov 1922  
Accountant
Fg Off Robert E Staggall  1 Nov 1922  
Medical Branch
Flt Lt Charles A Harrison  8 May 1923  

Source - January 1924 Air Force List

Personnel Movements Dec 1923 - Apr 1924

Rank Name Date Notes
Plt Off Thomas A Verney-Cave 19 Dec 1923 Arrived on posting from No 2 FTS
Plt Off J C Savory 19 Dec 1923 Arrived on posting from No 2 FTS
Plt Off Gerald  C A Armstrong 19 Dec 1923 Arrived on posting from RAF College on appointment to a Permanent Commission
Plt Off John H Hutchinson 19 Dec 1923 Arrived on posting from RAF College on appointment to a Permanent Commission
Fg Off Vivian S Parker  1 Jan 1924 Promoted to Flt Lt
Fg Off Archibald T Shaw  1 Jan 1924 Promoted to Flt Lt
Flt Lt Reginald J Read 28 Jan 1924 Arrived on posting from Armament and Gunnery School
Plt Off J C Savory 15 Feb 1924 Killed in a flying accident
Flt Lt John P Coleman xx Feb 1924 Posted to the Air Ministry
Flt Lt Reginald T B Houghton 28 Feb 1924 Reported for duty as OC, 'C' Flight
Fg Off Eric R C Hobson 29 Mar 1924 Arrived on posting from Electrical and Wireless School for Signals duties

Source - No 56 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/527)

Organisational Movements: Dec 1923 - Apr 1924

Date Notes
xx Feb 1924 Squadron carried out service trials on Gloster Grebe and Hawker Woodcock

Source - No 56 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/527)

May 1924

Aircraft operated Location Command/Group
Sopwith Snipe RAF Biggin Hill Inland Area/No 1 Group

 

Rank Name Date Notes
Sqn Ldr

Sir Christopher J Q Brand

 24 Sep 1923 Officer Commanding; KBE, DSO, MC, DFC; later AVM
Flt Lt Thomas C Luke  1 Nov 1922 MC
Flt Lt Reginald T B Houghton 28 Feb 1924 AFC
Flt Lt Vivian S Parker 23 Aug 1923  
Flt Lt Reginald J Read 28 Jan 1924  
Fg Off James T Paine  1 Nov 1922  
Fg Off Charles L Cox 26 Sep 1922  
Fg Off Francis H Ronksley  1 Nov 1922 MC
Fg Off Eric R C Hobson 29 Mar 1924 DFC
Fg Off John L Wingate 26 Sep 1922 later A/Cdre
Fg Off Ronald T Shepherd 26 Sep 1922  
Fg Off

Geoffrey R C Spencer

  1 Nov 1922 later AVM
Fg Off George A F Bucknall  1 Nov 1922  
Fg Off Donald R Sharman 23 Apr 1924 MC
Fg Off Maurice V Ward  1 Nov 1922  
Fg Off William A C A Yearsley  8 Oct 1923  
Fg Off Thomas A Verney-Cave 19 Dec 1923  
Plt Off Gerald  C A Armstrong 19 Dec 1923  
Plt Off John H Hutchinson 19 Dec 1923  
Stores Officer
Fg Off Archibald T Shaw  1 Nov 1922  
Accountant
Flt Lt Edward C M Knott  4 Jan 1924  
Medical Branch
Flt Lt Charles A Harrison  8 May 1923  

Source - May 1924 Air Force List

Personnel Movements Apr 1924 - Jul 1925

Rank Name Date Notes
Flt Lt Archibald T Shaw xx Apr 1924 Posted to the Air Ministry
Fg Off Ernest W Lawrence xx Apr 1924 Reported for duty as Stores Officer
Fg Off Donald R Sharman 23 Apr 1924 Arrived on posting from Signal Co-operation Flight
Fg Off Thomas A Verney-Cave xx Apr 1924 Posted to School of Army Co-operation
Fg Off Francis H Ronksley  xx Jun 1924 Posted to CFS
Plt Off Henry I Cozens 18 Jun 1924 Arrived on posting from No 2 FTS
Flt Lt Thomas C Luke xx Aug 1924 Posted to HQ Iraq Command
Flt Lt Reginald J Read xx Aug 1924 Assumed duties of Adjutant
Fg Off

Geoffrey R C Spencer

 12 Sep 1924 Posted to No 20 Sqn, India
Fg Off Eric R C Hobson xx Nov 1924 Posted to No 70 Sqn, Iraq
Plt Off John H McN Campbell 17 Dec 1924 Arrived on posting from RAF College on appointment to a Permanent Commission
Plt Off John G Franks 17 Dec 1924 Arrived on posting from RAF College on appointment to a Permanent Commission
Plt Off James R Addams 17 Dec 1924 Arrived on posting from RAF College on appointment to a Permanent Commission
Fg Off James T Paine  1 Jan 1925 Promoted to Flt Lt
LAC W R J Bacchus  5 Jun 1925 Killed in a propeller accident

Source - No 56 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/527)

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

Organisational Movements: Apr 1924 - Jul 1925

Date Notes
 3 Sep 1924 First three Gloster Grebes arrived from manufacturers
Grebe II of No 56 Squadron
xx Oct 1924 Squadron carried out service trials on Hawker Hedgehog
xx Nov 1924 Squadron completed re-equipment with Gloster Grebes
xx Feb 1925 Inland Area Aircraft Depot commenced fitting R/T equipment to the Grebes

Source - No 56 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/527)

July 1925

Aircraft operated Location Command/Group
Gloster Grebe II RAF Biggin Hill Inland Area/No 6 Group

 

Rank Name Date Notes
Sqn Ldr

Sir Christopher J Q Brand

 24 Sep 1923 Officer Commanding; KBE, DSO, MC, DFC; later AVM
Flt Lt Vivian S Parker 23 Aug 1923  
Flt Lt Reginald J Read 28 Jan 1924  
Flt Lt James T Paine  1 Nov 1922  
Fg Off Charles L Cox 26 Sep 1922  
Fg Off Walter R Day 31 Mar 1925  
Fg Off John L Wingate 26 Sep 1922 later A/Cdre
Fg Off Ronald T Shepherd 26 Sep 1922  
Fg Off George A F Bucknall  1 Nov 1922  
Fg Off Donald R Sharman 23 Apr 1924 MC
Fg Off Maurice V Ward  1 Nov 1922  
Fg Off Henry I Cozens 18 Jun 1924 later A/Cdre
Plt Off Edward L Batson-James 27 Oct 1924  
Plt Off Gerald  C A Armstrong 19 Dec 1923  
Plt Off John H Hutchinson 19 Dec 1923  
Plt Off John H McN Campbell 17 Dec 1924  
Plt Off John G Franks 17 Dec 1924 later AVM
Plt Off James R Addams 17 Dec 1924  
Stores Branch
Fg Off Ernest W Lawrence 18 Feb 1924 ORB doesn't record his arrival until April
Accountant Branch
Fg Off John M Hopkins 23 Jun 1924  
Medical Branch
Flt Lt Jack G Skeet  7 Sep 1924  

Source - July 1925 Air Force List

Personnel Movements Jul 1925 - Mar 1926

Rank Name Date Notes
Fg Off Donald R Sharman xx Jun 1925 Transferred to the Reserve
Fg Off John L Wingate xx Jul 1925 Posted to Armament and Gunnery School
Sqn Ldr Francis J Vincent 11 Aug 1925 Reported as Supernumerary, pending assuming command of the squadron
Sqn Ldr Sir Christopher J Q Brand 22 Sep 1925 Relinquished command of the squadron
Sqn Ldr Francis J Vincent 22 Sep 1925 Assumed command of the squadron
Flt Lt James T Paine xx Oct 1925 Posted to Electrical and Wireless School for Long Signals Course
Plt Off L F Talbot-Price 15 Dec 1925 Arrived on posting from No 2 FTS
Plt Off Sidney A V Evans 15 Dec 1925 Arrived on posting from No 2 FTS
Fg Off Charles L Cox  1 Jan 1926 Promoted to Flt Lt
Fg Off Ernest W Lawrence  1 Jan 1926 Promoted to Flt Lt
Plt Off Vickers O Eyre 16 Dec 1925 Arrived on posting from RAF College on appointment to a Permanent Commission
Plt Off Thomas G Pike 16 Dec 1925 Arrived on posting from RAF College on appointment to a Permanent Commission
Flt Lt Reginald J Read xx Jan 1926 Posted to HQ No 6 Group
Fg Off Maurice V Ward xx Jan 1926 Assumed duties of Adjutant

Source - No 56 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/527)

March 1926

 

Aircraft operated Location Command/Group
Gloster Grebe II RAF Biggin Hill Inland Area/No 6 Group

 

Rank Name Date Notes
Sqn Ldr

Francis J Vincent

11 Aug 1925 Officer Commanding; DFC; later A/Cdre
Flt Lt Vivian S Parker 23 Aug 1923  
Flt Lt Charles L Cox 26 Sep 1922  
Fg Off Walter R Day 31 Mar 1925  
Fg Off Ronald T Shepherd 26 Sep 1922  
Fg Off Maurice V Ward  1 Nov 1922  
Fg Off Henry I Cozens 18 Jun 1924 later A/Cdre
Fg Off Gerald  C A Armstrong 19 Dec 1923
Fg Off John H Hutchinson 19 Dec 1923  
Fg Off Paul S Blockey 26 Sep 1922 later AVM
Plt Off John H McN Campbell 17 Dec 1924  
Plt Off John G Franks 17 Dec 1924 later AVM
Plt Off Sidney A V Evans 15 Dec 1925 Killed in a flying accident - 4 Feb 1927
Plt Off Vickers O Eyre 16 Dec 1925  
Plt Off Thomas G Pike 16 Dec 1925 later MRAF

-

1 Airman Pilot
Stores Branch
Flt Lt Ernest W Lawrence 18 Feb 1924  
Fg Off Clarence T Davis 31 Dec 1925  
Accountant Branch
Fg Off John M Hopkins 22 Jun 1924  
Medical Branch
Flt Lt Jack G Skeet  7 Sep 1924  
Education Officer
Lt Bertie M Alexander  1 Sep 1925 Grade IV, BA

Source - March 1926 Air Force List

July 1926

Aircraft operated Location Command/Group
Gloster Grebe II RAF Biggin Hill ADGB/Fighting Area

 

Rank Name Date Notes
Sqn Ldr

Francis J Vincent

11 Aug 1925 Officer Commanding; DFC; later A/Cdre
Sqn Ldr Alfred P Maurice 25 May 1926  
Flt Lt Vivian S Parker 23 Aug 1923  
Flt Lt Charles L Cox 26 Sep 1922  
Fg Off Walter R Day 31 Mar 1925  
Fg Off Ronald T Shepherd 26 Sep 1922  
Fg Off Maurice V Ward  1 Jan 1923  
Fg Off Henry I Cozens 18 Jun 1924 later A/Cdre
Fg Off Gerald  C A Armstrong 19 Dec 1923
Fg Off John H Hutchinson 19 Dec 1923  
Fg Off Paul S Blockey 26 Sep 1922 later AVM
Plt Off John H McN Campbell 17 Dec 1924  
Plt Off John G Franks 17 Dec 1924 later AVM
Plt Off Sidney A V Evans 15 Dec 1925 Killed in a flying accident - 4 Feb 1927
Plt Off Vickers O Eyre 16 Dec 1925  
Plt Off Thomas G Pike 16 Dec 1925 later MRAF

-

1 Airman Pilot
Stores Branch
Fg Off Clarence T Davis 31 Dec 1925  
Accountant Branch
Fg Off John M Hopkins 22 Jun 1924  
Medical Branch
Flt Lt Jack G Skeet  7 Sep 1924  
Education Officer
Lt Bertie M Alexander  1 Sep 1925 Grade IV, BA

Source - July 1926 Air Force List

Personnel Movements Jul - Dec 1926

Rank Name Date Notes
Flt Lt William F Dickson 19 Jul 1926 Arrived on posting from RAF Depot and assumed command of 'A' Flight
Fg Off Ronald T Shepherd 19 Jul 1926 Transferred to the Reserve
Sqn Ldr

Charles H Elliott-Smith

 11 Aug 1925 Reported as Supernumerary, pending assuming command of the squadron
Sqn Ldr Francis J Vincent  9 Sep 1925 Posted to RAF Depot (Non-effective, sick)
Sqn Ldr

Charles H Elliott-Smith

  9 Sep 1925 Assumed command of the squadron
Fg Off John H Hutchinson xx Sep 1926 Posted to No 4 FTS, Egypt
Fg Off Henry I Cozens 18 Sep 1926 Posted to Home Aircraft Depot for Long Engineering Course
Fg Off Henry F Luxmoore 20 Sep 1926 Killed in a flying accident
SM1 E G Haug  8 Oct 1926 Killed in a flying accident
Fg Off Gerald  C A Armstrong 13 Nov 1926 Posted out as ADC to the Governor of South Australia
Fg Off John G Franks  3 Dec 1926 Posted to Fleet Air Arm

Source - No 56 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/527)

December 1926

Aircraft operated Location Command/Group
Gloster Grebe II RAF Biggin Hill ADGB/Fighting Area

 

Rank Name Date Notes
Sqn Ldr

Charles H Elliott-Smith

 11 Aug 1925 Officer Commanding; AFC
Flt Lt William F Dickson 19 Jul 1926 DSO, AFC; later MRAF
Flt Lt Vivian S Parker 25 Aug 1923  
Flt Lt Charles L Lea-Cox 25 Aug 1923  
Fg Off Walter R Day 31 Mar 1925 Signals duties
Fg Off Maurice V Ward  1 Jan 1923  
Fg Off Gerald  C A Armstrong 19 Dec 1923  
Fg Off Paul S Blockey 26 Sep 1922 later AVM
Fg Off John G Franks 17 Dec 1924 Armament Duties; later AVM
Fg Off Leslie F T Price 21 Jul 1926  
Plt Off Sidney A V Evans 15 Dec 1925
Plt Off Frederick B G Walker 13 Aug 1926  
Plt Off Vickers O Eyre 16 Dec 1925  
Plt Off Thomas G Pike 16 Dec 1925 later MRAF
Plt Off Richard K Hamblin 30 Jul 1926 later A/Cdre

-

2 Airman Pilot
Stores Branch
Fg Off Clarence T Davis 31 Dec 1925  
Accountant Branch
Fg Off John M Hopkins 22 Jun 1924  
Medical Branch
Flt Lt Jack G Skeet  7 Sep 1924  
Education Officer
Lt Bertie M Alexander  1 Sep 1925 Grade IV, BA

Source - December 1926 Air Force List

Personnel Movements Dec 1926 - Jul 1927

Rank Name Date Notes
Fg Off Clarence T Davis  1 Jan 1927 Promoted to Flt Lt
Fg Off Henry A Anson 19 Jan 1927 Reported for duty
Fg Off Maurice V Ward 25 Jan 1927 Relinquished duties of Adjutant on posting to Fleet Air Arm
Fg Off Henry A Anson 25 Jan 1927 Assumed duties of Adjutant
Plt Off E M Thompson xx Jan 1927 Posted to Fleet Air Arm
Plt Off Sidney A V Evans  4 Feb 1927 Killed in a flying accident
Plt Off Marcus A Smyth 21 Feb 1927 Arrived on posting from No 5 FTS
Plt Off Leonard R Stokes 21 Feb 1927 Arrived on posting from No 5 FTS
Cpl A March  9 Mar 1927 Killed in a parachute accident
Plt Off Grenville H Shaw 21 Mar 1927 Arrived on posting from No 5 FTS

Source - No 56 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/527)

July 1927

Aircraft operated Location Command/Group
Gloster Grebe II RAF Biggin Hill ADGB/Fighting Area

 

Rank Name Date Notes
Sqn Ldr

Charles H Elliott-Smith

 11 Aug 1925 Officer Commanding; AFC
Flt Lt Vivian S Parker 25 Aug 1923  
Flt Lt William F Dickson 19 Jul 1926 DSO, AFC; later MRAF
Flt Lt Charles L Lea-Cox 25 Aug 1923  
Fg Off Walter R Day 31 Mar 1925 Signals duties
Fg Off Henry A Anson 19 Jan 1927  
Fg Off Paul S Blockey 26 Sep 1922 later AVM
Fg Off John H McN Campbell 17 Dec 1924 Pilotage (Navigation) duties
Plt Off Frederick B G Walker 13 Aug 1926  
Plt Off Vickers O Eyre 16 Dec 1925  
Plt Off Thomas G Pike 16 Dec 1925 later MRAF
Plt Off Grenville H Shaw 21 Mar 1927  
Plt Off Marcus A Smyth 21 Feb 1927
Plt Off Leonard R Stokes 21 Feb 1927  
Plt Off Richard K Hamblin 30 Jul 1926 later A/Cdre

-

4 Airman Pilot
Stores Branch
Fg Off Frederick W Todd  4 Feb 1927  
Accountant Branch
Fg Off John M Hopkins 22 Jun 1924  
Medical Branch
Flt Lt Frederick W G Smith 15 Mar 1927  

Source - July 1927 Air Force List

Personnel Movements Jul - Oct 1927

Rank Name Date Notes
Flt Lt William F Dickson 19 Sep 1927 Posted to RAF Staff College
Flt Lt Vivian S Parker 20 Sep 1927 Posted to No 55 Sqn, Iraq
Plt Off Charles K Turner Hughes 24 Sep 1927 Arrived on posting from No 5 FTS
Flt Lt William N Plenderleith  1 Oct 1927 Reported for duty and assumed command of 'B' Flight
Fg Off Paul S Blockey 29 Sep 1927 Posted to Night Flying Flight

Source - No 56 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/527)

Organisational Movements: Jul - Oct 1927

Date Notes
xx Sep 1927 Squadron re-quipped with Armstrong Whitworth Siskin IIIA
Siskin IIIA of No 56 Squadron
12 Oct 1927 Squadron moved from RAF Biggin Hill to RAF North Weald

Source - No 56 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/527)

Nominal Roll (Pilots) on moving to North Weald

Rank Name Notes
Sqn Ldr

Charles H Elliott-Smith

 Officer Commanding; AFC
Fg Off Thomas G Pike OC, 'A' Flight
Flt Lt William N Plenderleith OC, 'B' Flight
Flt Lt Charles L Lea-Cox OC, 'C' Flight
Fg Off Henry A Anson Adjutant
Fg Off Walter R Day Signals Officer
Plt Off Frederick B G Walker  
Fg Off Grenville H Shaw  
Fg Off Leonard R Stokes  
Fg Off Charles K Turner Hughes  
Fg Off Vickers O Eyre
Plt Off Marcus A Smyth
Fg Off Richard K Hamblin later A/Cdre
Sgt Plt L Stage  
Sgt Plt H Lee  
Sgt Plt S Trout  
Sgt Plt R Riley  
Sgt Plt L Jennings  

Source - No 56 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/527)

Personnel Movements  Oct 1927 - Jul 1928

Rank Name Date Notes
Fg Off Walter R Day 11 Oct 1927 Transferred to SHQ RAF North Weald
Fg Off Frederick W Todd 11 Oct 1927 Transferred to SHQ RAF North Weald
Fg Off John M Hopkins 11 Oct 1927 Transferred to SHQ RAF North Weald
Plt Off Marcus A Smyth 19 Oct 1927 Posted to RAF Depot
Fg Off John F Lawn 31 Oct 1927 Arrived on posting from RAF Duxford
Plt Off John H L Dillon-Trenchard 17 Dec 1927 Arrived on posting from RAF College on appointment to a Permanent Commission
Plt Off Hugh A Constantine 17 Dec 1927 Arrived on posting from RAF College on appointment to a Permanent Commission
Fg Off Henry A Anson  1 Jan 1928 Relinquished duties of Adjutant on appointment as OC, 'A' Flight
Plt Off Thomas G Pike  1 Jan 1928 Relinquished appointment as OC, 'A' Flight
Plt Off Richard K Hamblin  1 Jan 1928 Assumed duties of Adjutant
Sqn Ldr

Alan Lees

 7 Feb 1928 Assumed command of the squadron
Sqn Ldr

Charles H Elliott-Smith

  7 Feb 1928 Posted to Senior Officers' Course, Sheerness

Source - No 56 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/527)

July 1928

Aircraft operated Location Command/Group
Armstrong Whitworth Siskin IIIA RAF North Weald ADGB/Fighting Area

 

Rank Name Date Notes
Sqn Ldr

Alan Lees

 7 Feb 1928 Officer Commanding; later AM
Flt Lt William N Plenderleith  1 Oct 1927  
Flt Lt Charles L Lea-Cox 25 Aug 1923  
Flt Lt Henry A Anson 19 Jan 1927  
Fg Off Vickers O Eyre 16 Dec 1925
Fg Off Thomas G Pike 16 Dec 1925 later MRAF
Fg Off John F Lawn 31 Oct 1927  
Fg Off Leonard R Stokes 21 Feb 1927 Pilotage (Navigation) duties
Fg Off Grenville H Shaw 21 Mar 1927  
Fg Off Richard K Hamblin 30 Jul 1926 later A/Cdre
Fg Off Charles K Turner Hughes 24 Sep 1927  
Plt Off John H L Dillon-Trenchard 17 Dec 1927  
Plt Off Hugh A Constantine 17 Dec 1927 later ACM

-

5 Airman Pilot

Source - July 1928 Air Force List

Personnel Movements  Jul - Sep 1928

Rank Name Date Notes
Fg Off John F Lawn  8 Aug 1928 Posted to No 3 FTS
Plt Off Edouard M F Grundy 17 Dec 1927 Arrived on posting from RAF College on appointment to a Permanent Commission

Source - No 56 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/527)

Organisational Movements: Jul - Sep 1928

Date Notes
20 Aug 1928 Squadron proceeded to RAF Sutton Bridge for Annual Armament Practice Camp

Source - No 56 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/527)

September 1928

Aircraft operated Location Command/Group
Armstrong Whitworth Siskin IIIA RAF North Weald ADGB/Fighting Area

 

Rank Name Date Notes
Sqn Ldr

Alan Lees

 7 Feb 1928 Officer Commanding; later AM
Flt Lt William N Plenderleith  1 Oct 1927  
Flt Lt Charles L Lea-Cox 25 Aug 1923  
Flt Lt Henry A Anson 19 Jan 1927  
Fg Off Vickers O Eyre 16 Dec 1925 Armament Duties
Fg Off Thomas G Pike 16 Dec 1925 later MRAF
Fg Off Leonard R Stokes 21 Feb 1927 Pilotage (Navigation) duties
Fg Off Grenville H Shaw 21 Mar 1927  
Fg Off Richard K Hamblin 30 Jul 1926 later A/Cdre
Fg Off Charles K Turner Hughes 24 Sep 1927  
Plt Off John H L Dillon-Trenchard 17 Dec 1927  
Plt Off Hugh A Constantine 17 Dec 1927 later ACM
Plt Off Edouard M F Grundy 28 Jul 1928 later AM

-

5 Airman Pilot

Source - September 1928 Air Force List

Personnel Movements  Sep 1928 - Jul 1929

Rank Name Date Notes
Fg Off V C Taylor 15 Oct 1928 Arrived on posting from No 19 Sqn
Plt Off John H L Dillon-Trenchard 25 Oct 1928 Posted to No 407 (Fleet Fighter) Flight, Malta
Fg Off P G S Gardner  1 Dec 1928 Arrived on posting from No 23 Sqn
Fg Off V C Taylor  3 Dec 1928 Posted to No 3 FTS
Plt Off Thomas G Pike 19 Dec 1928 Posted to No 5 FTS
Fg Off Grenville H Shaw 19 Dec 1928 Posted to RAF College, Cranwell
Fg Off P G S Gardner 28 Jan 1929 Posted to No 23 Sqn
Plt Off Paul G Thomson  2 Apr 1929 Arrived on posting from No 3 FTS
Plt Off Hubert H Chapman  2 Apr 1929 Arrived on posting from No 3 FTS
Plt Off Max I Barnett  5 Mar 1929 Arrived on posting from No 5 FTS
Plt Off Edouard M F Grundy  2 May 1929 Posted to No 403 (Fleet Fighter) Flight, China

Source - No 56 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/527)

Organisational Movements: Sep 1928 - Jul 1929

Date Notes
 6 Sep 1928 Squadron returned from RAF Sutton Bridge on completion of Annual Armament Practice Camp
14 Nov 1928 Squadron granted its crest of a Phoenix with the motto 'Quid Si Coelum Ruat'

Source - No 56 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/527)

July 1929

Aircraft operated Location Command/Group
Armstrong Whitworth Siskin IIIA RAF North Weald ADGB/Fighting Area

 

Rank Name Date Notes
Sqn Ldr

Alan Lees

 7 Feb 1928 Officer Commanding; later AM
Flt Lt Charles L Lea-Cox 25 Aug 1923  
Flt Lt William N Plenderleith  1 Oct 1927  
Fg Off Vickers O Eyre 16 Dec 1925
Fg Off Leonard R Stokes 21 Feb 1927 Pilotage (Navigation) duties
Fg Off Richard K Hamblin 30 Jul 1926 later A/Cdre
Fg Off Charles K Turner Hughes 24 Sep 1927 Signals duties
Plt Off Paul G Thomson  2 Apr 1929  
Plt Off Hugh A Constantine 17 Dec 1927 later ACM
Plt Off Max I Barnett  5 Mar 1929  
Plt Off Hubert H Chapman  2 Apr 1929 later AVM

-

4 Airman Pilot

Source - July 1929 Air Force List

Personnel Movements  Jul 1929 - Jul 1930

Rank Name Date Notes
Fg Off Vickers O Eyre 27 Jun 1929 Killed in a flying accident
Flt Lt J M Glaisher  1 Oct 1929 Arrived on posting from School of Technical Training (Men), Manston
Fg Off John R Stebbing  3 Oct 1929 Posted to No 3 FTS
Fg Off Hugh A Constantine 18 Dec 1929 Posted to RAF College
Flt Lt J M Glaisher 16 Jan 1930 Posted to No 10 Sqn
Flt Lt Charles L Lea-Cox 31 Jan 1930 Posted to No 39 Sqn, India
Flt Lt Leslie G Nixon  5 Mar 1930 Reported for duty and assumed command of 'B' Flight
Flt Lt William N Plenderleith 10 Mar 1930 Posted to No 36 Sqn
Flt Lt

Ronald Ivelaw-Chapman

 8 Apr 1930 Reported for duty and assumed command of 'A' Flight
Plt Off Max I Barnett  5 Mar 1929 Arrived on posting from No 5 FTS

Source - No 56 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/527)

Organisational Movements: Jul 1929 - Jul 1930

Date Notes
26 Aug 1929 Squadron proceeded to RAF Sutton Bridge for Annual Armament Practice Camp
12 Sep 1929 Squadron returned from RAF Sutton Bridge on completion of Annual Armament Practice Camp
 5 May 1930 Squadron proceeded to RAF Bircham Newton for affiliation with No 207 Sqn
16 May 1930 Squadron returned from RAF Bircham Newton

Source - No 56 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/527)

July 1930

Aircraft operated Location Command/Group
Armstrong Whitworth Siskin IIIA RAF North Weald ADGB/Fighting Area

 

Rank Name Date Notes
Sqn Ldr

Alan Lees

 7 Feb 1928 Officer Commanding; later AM
Flt Lt

Ronald Ivelaw-Chapman

 8 Apr 1930 DFC; later ACM
Flt Lt Leslie G Nixon  5 Mar 1930  
Flt Lt Claude B R Pelly  9 Nov 1929 later ACM
Fg Off Leonard R Stokes 21 Feb 1927 Pilotage (Navigation) duties
Fg Off Charles K Turner Hughes 24 Sep 1927 Signals duties
Plt Off Paul G Thomson  2 Apr 1929  
Plt Off Max I Barnett  5 Mar 1929  
Fg Off Hubert H Chapman  2 Apr 1929 later AVM
Fg Off John R Stebbing  3 Oct 1929
Plt Off John A Powell 27 Jul 1929  
Plt Off Geoffrey K Fairlough 27 Jul 1929

-

5 Airman Pilot

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

Personnel Movements  Jul 1930 - Jul 1931

Rank Name Date Notes
Fg Off Robert Smith 29 Jul 1930 Arrived on posting from No 3 FTS
Fg Off Leonard R Stokes  1 Aug 1930 Posted to No 24 Sqn
Fg Off Cecil R Davies  9 Sep 1930 Arrived on posting from No 5 FTS
Fg Off Harry E Mayes  9 Sep 1930 Arrived on posting from No 5 FTS
Fg Off Charles K Turner Hughes 11 Sep 1930 Posted to No 24 Sqn
Plt Off Paul G Thomson  3 Oct 1930 Posted to RAF Base Gosport
Fg Off Meuric V Johnstone  8 Oct 1930 Arrived on posting from No 3 FTS
Plt Off Max I Barnett  4 Nov 1930 Killed in a flying accident
Sqn Ldr

Herbert V Rowley

15 Dec 1930 Reported as Supernumerary, pending taking command of the squadron
Plt Off John A Powell 17 Dec 1930 Arrived on posting from No 2 FTS
Plt Off William S Reed 20 Dec 1930 Arrived on posting from RAF College on appointment to a Permanent Commission
Plt Off John C Macdonald 20 Dec 1930 Arrived on posting from RAF College on appointment to a Permanent Commission
Sqn Ldr

Alan Lees

 1 Jan 1931 Relinquished command of the squadron and to RAF Training Base, Leuchars
Sqn Ldr

Herbert V Rowley

 1 Jan 1931 Assumed command of the squadron
Flt Lt Claude B R Pelly 10 Mar 1930 Posted to HQ Iraq Command
Plt Off Edward A Kayser 27 Mar 1931 Arrived on posting from RAF Depot
Fg Off Hubert H Chapman  1 Jul 1931 Relinquished duties of Adjutant
Fg Off Cecil R Davies  1 Jul 1931 Assumed duties of Adjutant

Source - No 56 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/527)

July 1931

Aircraft operated Location Command/Group
Armstrong Whitworth Siskin IIIA RAF North Weald ADGB/Fighting Area

 

Rank Name Date Notes
Sqn Ldr

Herbert V Rowley

15 Dec 1930 Officer Commanding; later A/Cdre
Flt Lt

Ronald Ivelaw-Chapman

 8 Apr 1930 DFC, AFC; later ACM
Flt Lt Leslie G Nixon  5 Mar 1930  
Fg Off Hubert H Chapman  2 Apr 1929 Signals duties; later AVM
Fg Off John R Stebbing  3 Oct 1929 Signals duties
Fg Off Robert Smith 29 Jul 1930  
Fg Off Geoffrey K Fairlough 27 Jul 1929
Fg Off Cecil R Davies  9 Sep 1930  
Fg Off Harry E Mayes  9 Sep 1930  
Fg Off Meuric V Johnstone  8 Oct 1930  
Plt Off William S Reed 20 Dec 1930  
Plt Off John C Macdonald 20 Dec 1930 later A/Cdre
Plt Off Edward A Kayser 27 Mar 1931  

-

5 Airman Pilot

Source - July 1931 Air Force List

Personnel Movements  Jul 1931 - Jun 1932

Rank Name Date Notes
Plt Off William W Stainthorpe 25 Jul 1931 Arrived on posting from RAF College on appointment to a Permanent Commission
Fg Off Geoffrey K Fairlough 27 Jul 1931 Posted to No 402 (Fleet Fighter) Flight
Flt Lt

George E Wilson

  4 Aug 1931 Arrived on posting from SHQ Duxford
Fg Off Hubert H Chapman  7 Sep 1931 Posted to Electrical and Wireless School
Plt Off Edward D A Bigg  8 Sep 1931 Arrived on posting from No 5 FTS
Plt Off Ivor C Bird 26 Sep 1931 Arrived on posting from No 3 FTS
Fg Off John R Stebbing 25 Oct 1931 Posted to No 24 Sqn
Fg Off Laurence R Mouatt 27 Oct 1931 Arrived on posting from RAF Calshot
Flt Lt George G Banting 19 Dec 1931 Arrived on posting from RAF Staff College
Sqn Ldr

Herbert V Rowley

18 Jan 1932 Relinquished command of the squadron on posting to RAF Staff College
Flt Lt

Ronald Ivelaw-Chapman

18 Jan 1932 Posted to RAF Staff College
Flt Lt

George E Wilson

 18 Jan 1932 Assumed temporary command of the squadron
Flt Lt

George E Wilson

  1 Feb 1932 Promoted to Sqn Ldr and assumed command of the squadron
Flt Lt L M Elworthy  3 Mar 1932 Arrived on posting from Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Flight
Plt Off William S Reed  4 Mar 1932 Posted to Middle East Command
Plt Off William L Houlbrook  8 Mar 1932 Arrived on posting from No 5 FTS
Flt Lt Alexander E Taylor 14 Mar 1932 Arrived on posting from No 5 FTS
Flt Lt George G Banting 16 Mar 1932 Posted to the Air Ministry
Plt Off

Henry R Graham;

27 Mar 1932 Arrived on posting from No 3 FTS
Plt Off Sidney E R Shepard 27 Mar 1932 Arrived on posting from No 3 FTS
Plt Off Leonard C Slee 27 Mar 1932 Arrived on posting from No 3 FTS
Fg Off Cecil R Davies 21 Apr 1932 Relinquished duties of Adjutant and to RAF Depot (Non-effective, sick)
Fg Off Ivor C Bird 21 Apr 1932 Assumed duties of Adjutant
Flt Lt Alexander E Taylor 15 Apr 1932 Posted to RAF Depot (Non-effective, sick)
Flt Lt L M Elworthy 29 May 1932 Posted to No 17 Sqn
Plt Off Edward A Kayser  1 Jun 1932 Posted to RAF Depot (Non-effective, sick)

Source - No 56 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/527)

Organisational Movements: Jul 1931 - Jul 1932

Date Notes
27 Jul 1931 Squadron proceeded to RAF Sutton Bridge for Annual Armament Practice Camp
14 Aug 1931 Squadron returned from RAF Sutton Bridge on completion of Annual Armament Practice Camp
 9 May 1932 Squadron proceeded to Roborough for affiliation with flying boats at RAF Mount Batten
23 May 1932 Squadron returned from Roborough
13 Jun 1932 Squadron proceeded to No 3 ATC, RAF Sutton Bridge for Annual Armament Practice Camp
 1 Jul 1932 Squadron returned from RAF Sutton Bridge on completion of Annual Armament Practice Camp

Source - No 56 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/527)

July 1932

Aircraft operated Location Command/Group
Armstrong Whitworth Siskin IIIA RAF North Weald ADGB/Fighting Area

 

Rank Name Date Notes
Sqn Ldr

George E Wilson

  4 Aug 1931 Officer Commanding; later A/Cdre
Flt Lt Leslie G Nixon  5 Mar 1930  
Fg Off Harry E Mayes  9 Sep 1930  
Fg Off Robert Smith 29 Jul 1930  
Fg Off Laurence R Mouatt 27 Oct 1931  
Fg Off Meuric V Johnstone  8 Oct 1930  
Fg Off Edward A Kayser 27 Mar 1931  
Fg Off Ivor C Bird 26 Sep 1931  
Fg Off Edward D A Bigg  8 Sep 1931  
Plt Off John C Macdonald 20 Dec 1930 later A/Cdre
Plt Off William L Houlbrook  8 Mar 1932  
Plt Off

Henry R Graham;

27 Mar 1932 later AVM
Plt Off Sidney E R Shepard 27 Mar 1932  
Plt Off Leonard C Slee 27 Mar 1932  
Plt Off William W Stainthorpe 25 Jul 1931  

-

6 Airman Pilots

Source - July 1932 Air Force List

Personnel Movements  Jun 1932 - Jun 1933

Rank Name Date Notes
Flt Lt

North Carter

14 Jun 1932 Arrived on posting from CFS
Flt Lt Alexander E Taylor 28 Jun 1932 Arrived on posting from RAF Depot (Non-effective, sick)
Plt Off Edward D A Bigg  3 Jul 1932 Posted to RAF Calshot
Plt Off W A W Jameson  3 Oct 1932 Arrived on posting from No 1 Sqn
Fg Off John C Macdonald 27 Feb 1932 Posted to Air Armament School
Fg Off William W Stainthorpe 28 Feb 1933 Posted to Middle East Command
Fg Off

Henry R Graham;

28 Feb 1933 Posted to Middle East Command
Plt Off W A W Jameson 28 Feb 1933 Posted to Middle East Command
Flt Lt Leslie G Nixon 20 Mar 1933 Posted to No 1 Air Defence Group
Fg Off Meuric V Johnstone  3 Apr 1933 Posted to No 32 Sqn
Flt Lt James W Colquhoun 19 Apr 1933 Arrived on posting from CFS

Source - No 56 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/527)

Organisational Movements: Jul 1932 - Jul 1933

Date Notes
17 Aug 1932 First Bristol Bulldog IIA was collected from RAF Henlow
Bulldog IIA of No 56 Squadron (fitted with Townsend Exhaust Ring)
19 Aug 1932 Three more Bulldogs were collected by the squadron
20 Aug 1932 Four more Bulldogs were collected by the squadron
25 Aug 1932 Four more Bulldogs were collected by the squadron, completing the Squadron's IE strength
17 Jan 1933 A Bulldog Trainer was collected from Filton
19 Jun 1933 Squadron proceeded to No 3 ATC, RAF Sutton Bridge for Annual Armament Practice Camp
 7 Jul 1933 Squadron returned from No 3 ATC, RAF Sutton Bridge on completion of Annual Armament Practice Camp

Source - No 56 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/527)

July 1933

Aircraft operated Location Command/Group
Bristol Bulldog IIA RAF North Weald ADGB/Fighting Area

 

Rank Name Date Notes
Sqn Ldr

George E Wilson

  4 Aug 1931 Officer Commanding; later A/Cdre
Flt Lt James W Colquhoun 19 Apr 1933  
Flt Lt

North Carter

14 Jun 1932 later A/Cdre
Flt Lt Alexander E Taylor 28 Jun 1932  
Fg Off Harry E Mayes  9 Sep 1930  
Fg Off Robert Smith 29 Jul 1930  
Fg Off Laurence R Mouatt 27 Oct 1931  
Fg Off Ivor C Bird 26 Sep 1931  
Fg Off Sidney E R Shepard 27 Mar 1932  
Fg Off William L Houlbrook  8 Mar 1932  
Fg Off Leonard C Slee 27 Mar 1932  
Warrant Officers - 2nd Class
WO II Francis A Ladell  2 Nov 1931  

-

6 Airman Pilots

Source - July 1933 Air Force List

Personnel Movements  Jun 1933 - Jan 1934

Rank Name Date Notes
Plt Off Leslie G Levis 15 Jul 1933 Arrived on posting from RAF College on appointment to a Permanent Commission
Plt Off Ernest L A Walter 28 Aug 1933 Arrived on posting from No 5 FTS
Flt Lt Freeman  2 Oct 1933 Attached during affiliation exercise with No 204 Sqn for medical duties
Fg Off Harrington  2 Oct 1933 Attached during affiliation exercise with No 204 Sqn for stores duties
Flt Lt Freeman  14 Oct 1933 Ceased to be attached for medical duties
Fg Off Harrington  14 Oct 1933 Ceased to be attached for stores duties
Plt Off William L Houlbrook 17 Nov 1933 Posted to No 1 Armoured Car Company, Iraq

Source - No 56 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/527)

January 1934

Aircraft operated Location Command/Group
Bristol Bulldog IIA RAF North Weald ADGB/Fighting Area

 

Rank Name Date Notes
Sqn Ldr

George E Wilson

  4 Aug 1931 Officer Commanding; later A/Cdre
Flt Lt James W Colquhoun 19 Apr 1933  
Flt Lt

North Carter

14 Jun 1932 later A/Cdre
Flt Lt Alexander E Taylor 28 Jun 1932  
Fg Off Harry E Mayes  9 Sep 1930  
Fg Off Robert Smith 29 Jul 1930  
Fg Off Laurence R Mouatt 27 Oct 1931  
Fg Off Ivor C Bird 26 Sep 1931  
Fg Off Sidney E R Shepard 27 Mar 1932  
Fg Off Leonard C Slee 27 Mar 1932  
Plt Off Leslie G Levis 15 Jul 1933 later A/Cdre
Plt Off Ernest L A Walter 28 Aug 1933  
Warrant Officers - 2nd Class
WO II Francis A Ladell  2 Nov 1931  

-

6 Airman Pilots

Source - January 1934 Air Force List

Personnel Movements  Jan 1934 - Jun 1934

Rank Name Date Notes
Sqn Ldr

George E Wilson

 17 Jan 1934 Attached to CFS for Instrument Flying Course
Sqn Ldr

George E Wilson

  8 Feb 1934 Ceased to be attached to CFS for Instrument Flying Course
Flt Lt Alexander E Taylor 14 Feb 1934 Attached to CFS for Instrument Flying Course
Flt Lt Alexander E Taylor  8 Mar 1934 Ceased to be attached to CFS for Instrument Flying Course
Flt Lt

North Carter

 8 Mar 1934 Posted to No 60 Sqn
Flt Lt Austin W Sandeman  9 Mar 1934 Arrived on posting from RAF Depot
Fg Off Harry E Mayes 15 Mar 1934 Transferred to the Reserve
Fg Off Robert Smith 13 Apr 1934 Transferred to the Reserve

Source - No 56 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/527)

Organisational Movements: Jul 1933 - Jul 1934

Date Notes
 2 Oct 1933 Squadron proceeded to Roborough for affiliation with No 204 Sqn at RAF Mount Batten
14 Oct 1933 Squadron returned from Roborough
16 May 1934 Advance Party proceeded to RAF Gosport for affiliation with No 201 Sqn
17 May 1934 Main Party proceeded to RAF Gosport for affiliation with No 201 Sqn
31 May 1934 Squadron returned from RAF Gosport on completion of affiliation with No 201 Sqn
 2 Jun 1934 Squadron proceeded to No 3 ATC, RAF Sutton Bridge for Annual Armament Practice Camp
23 Jun 1934 Squadron returned from No 3 ATC, RAF Sutton Bridge on completion of Annual Armament Practice Camp

Source - No 56 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/527)

July 1934

Aircraft operated Location Command/Group
Bristol Bulldog IIA RAF North Weald ADGB/Fighting Area

 

Rank Name Date Notes
Sqn Ldr

George E Wilson

  4 Aug 1931 Officer Commanding; later A/Cdre
Flt Lt James W Colquhoun 19 Apr 1933  
Flt Lt Alexander E Taylor 28 Jun 1932  
Flt Lt Austin W Sandeman  9 Mar 1934  
Fg Off Laurence R Mouatt 27 Oct 1931  
Fg Off Ivor C Bird 26 Sep 1931  
Fg Off Sidney E R Shepard 27 Mar 1932  
Fg Off Leonard C Slee 27 Mar 1932  
Plt Off Leslie G Levis 15 Jul 1933 later A/Cdre
Plt Off Ernest L A Walter 28 Aug 1933  
Warrant Officers - 2nd Class
WO II Francis A Ladell  2 Nov 1931  

-

7 Airman Pilots

Source - July 1934 Air Force List

Personnel Movements  Jul 1934 - Jun 1935

Rank Name Date Notes
Fg Off Laurence R Mouatt 12 Sep 1934 Transferred to the Reserve
Plt Off Donald H Lee 15 Dec 1934  
Plt Off Sidney E R Shepard 25 Feb 1935 Assumed duties of Adjutant
Plt Off Arthur H Donaldson  4 Mar 1935 Arrived on posting from No 3 FTS
Sqn Ldr

George E Wilson

 11 Mar 1935 Posted to HQ Fighting Area
Flt Lt James W Colquhoun 11 Mar 1935 Assumed temporary command of the squadron
Plt Off Ernest L A Walter 14 Mar 1935 Posted to No 39 Sqn, India
Plt Off Sidney E R Shepard 28 Apr 1935 Proceeded to CFS for Flying Instructors' Course
Plt Off Ivor C Bird 28 Apr 1935 Assumed duties of Adjutant
Plt Off William E Carr  4 May 1935 Arrived on posting from No 24 Sqn
Plt Off Norman F Simpson 13 May 1935 Arrived on posting from RAF Depot
Fg Off Montgomery V Gibbon 30 May 1935 Arrived on posting from RAF Depot and assumed duties of Adjutant
Fg Off Ivor C Bird 28 Apr 1935 Relinquished duties of Adjutant

Source - No 56 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/527)

Organisational Movements: Jul 1934 - Jul 1935

Date Notes
15 Apr 1935 Squadron proceeded to No 3 ATC, RAF Sutton Bridge for Annual Armament Practice Camp
 7 Jun 1935 Squadron returned from No 3 ATC, RAF Sutton Bridge on completion of Annual Armament Practice Camp

Source - No 56 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/527)

July 1935

Aircraft operated Location Command/Group
Bristol Bulldog IIA RAF North Weald ADGB/Fighting Area

 

Rank Name Date Notes
Flt Lt James W Colquhoun 19 Apr 1933 Officer Commanding
Flt Lt Alexander E Taylor 28 Jun 1932  
Flt Lt Austin W Sandeman  9 Mar 1934  
Fg Off Ivor C Bird 26 Sep 1931  
Fg Off Montgomery V Gibbon 30 May 1935  
Fg Off Sidney E R Shepard 27 Mar 1932  
Plt Off Donald H Lee 15 Dec 1934  
Plt Off William E Carr  4 May 1935  
Plt Off Norman F Simpson 13 May 1935  
Plt Off Arthur H Donaldson  4 Mar 1935  

-

6 Airman Pilots

Source - July 1935 Air Force List

Personnel Movements  Jul 1935 - Jun 1936

Rank Name Date Notes
Plt Off Sidney E R Shepard 29 Jul 1935 Posted to No 6 FTS as flying instructor
Flt Lt Charles Lea-Cox 19 Aug 1935 Assumed temporary command of the squadron
Flt Lt James W Colquhoun 19 Aug 1935 Relinquished command of the squadron
Flt Lt Austin W Sandeman  1 Sep 1935 Resigned his commission in the RAF
Plt Off Donald H Lee  3 Sep 1934 Posted to RAF Hal Far, Malta
Flt Lt James W Colquhoun 23 Sep 1935 Posted to No 33 Sqn
Flt Lt Alexander E Taylor 24 Sep 1935 Posted to No 142 Sqn
Plt Off Arthur H Donaldson 13 Sep 1935 Posted to RAF Depot (Non-effective, sick)
Fg Off Ivor C Bird 30 Sep 1935 Promoted to Flt Lt and appointed OC, 'C' Flight
Flt Lt James W Colquhoun  1 Oct 1935 Promoted to Sqn Ldr and assumed command of the squadron
Fg Off G L Menzies 18 Nov 1935 Posted in as OC, 'A' Flight
Plt Off William E Carr  6 Dec 1935 Posted to RAF Hal Far, Malta
Plt Off R M Longmore 14 Dec 1935 Arrived on posting from RAF College on appointment to a Permanent Commission
Fg Off Montgomery V Gibbon  6 Jan 1935 Posted to No 504 Sqn
Flt Lt Ivor C Bird  8 Jan 1935 Posted to RAF Depot for course in Russian at King's College
Plt Off

John M Thompson

15 Jan 1936 Arrived on posting from No 29 Sqn
Plt Off R M Longmore 25 Feb 1936 Posted to No 36 Sqn, Singapore
Plt Off A J Trumble 29 Feb 1936 Arrived on posting from No 5 FTS
Plt Off G E Horne  6 Mar 1936 Arrived on posting from RAF Depot
Plt Off D M H Craven  9 Mar 1936 Arrived on posting from RAF College on appointment to a Permanent Commission
Plt Off Alick Foord-Kelcey 16 Mar 1936 Arrived on posting from RAF College, Cranwell
Fg Off T R T Carr-Ellison 22 Mar 1936 Attached from No 607 Sqn AAF
Plt Off

John M Thompson

30 Mar 1936 Attached to No 1 FTS, Leuchars for conversion to Fleet Fighters
Fg Off G L Menzies  1 Apr 1936 Promoted to Flt Lt
Plt Off Alick Foord-Kelcey  1 Apr 1936 Promoted to Fg Off
Fg Off T R T Carr-Ellison 20 Apr 1936 Ceased to be attached and returned to No 607 Sqn AAF
Plt Off

John M Thompson

 6 May 1936 Attached to RAF Calshot for floatplane training
APO G H F Plinston 11 May 1936 Arrived on posting from No 11 FTS
Plt Off

John M Thompson

17 Jun 1936 Returned from RAF Calshot on completion of floatplane training
Plt Off A J Trumble 22 Jun 1936 Attached to RAF Calshot for floatplane training

Source - No 56 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/527)

Organisational Movements: Jul 1935 - Jul 1936

Date Notes
16 May 1936 Squadron proceeded to No 3 ATC, RAF Sutton Bridge for Annual Armament Practice Camp
xx May 1936 Squadron commenced re-equipment with Gloster Gauntlet IIs
Gauntlet II of No 56 Squadron
 5 Jun 1936 Squadron returned from No 3 ATC, RAF Sutton Bridge on completion of Annual Armament Practice Camp
 7 Jul 1936 Squadron was reformed on a two-flight basis with 'C' Flight being disbanded

Source - No 56 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/527)

July 1936

Aircraft operated Location Command/Group
Gloster Gauntlet II RAF North Weald ADGB/No 11 (Fighter) Group

 

Rank Name Date Notes
Sqn Ldr Charles Lea-Cox 19 Aug 1935 Officer Commanding
Flt Lt G L Menzies 18 Nov 1935  
Plt Off Alick Foord-Kelcey 16 Mar 1936 later AVM
Plt Off

John M Thompson

15 Jan 1936 later A/Cdre
Plt Off Norman F Simpson 13 May 1935  
Plt Off D M H Craven  9 Mar 1936  
Plt Off G E Horne  6 Mar 1936  
Plt Off A J Trumble 29 Feb 1936  
APO G H F Plinston 11 May 1936  

-

5 Airman Pilots

Source - July 1936 Air Force List

Personnel Movements  Jul 1936 - Jun 1937

Rank Name Date Notes
APO J R I Bell 28 Jun 1936 Arrived on posting from No 5 FTS
Plt Off

John M Thompson

 4 Aug 1936 Transferred as part of 'B' Flight to form No 151 Sqn
Plt Off D M H Craven  4 Aug 1936 Transferred as part of 'B' Flight to form No 151 Sqn
APO K H Savage  4 Aug 1936 Transferred as part of 'B' Flight to form No 151 Sqn
Flt Lt G L Menzies 24 Aug 1936 Posted to RAF Depot (Non-effective, sick)
APO J A Thomson 24 Aug 1936 Arrived on posting from No 11 FTS
Plt Off H J Garlick 31 Aug 1936 Arrived on posting from No 2 FTS
Plt Off D Kain 31 Aug 1936 Arrived on posting from No 2 FTS
Plt Off A J Trumble 25 Sep 1936 Posted to No 801 (Fleet Fighter) Sqn, HMS Furious
Plt Off L H Pomeroy 15 Oct 1936 Arrived on posting from No 41 Sqn
Plt Off L H Pomeroy 16 Oct 1936 Promoted to Fg Off
Plt Off Norman F Simpson 30 Oct 1935 Promoted to Fg Off
Flt Lt A H Garland 24 Nov 1936 Arrived on posting from RAF Depot
Plt Off I S Soden 19 Dec 1936 Arrived on posting from RAF College on appointment to a Permanent Commission
Plt Off N L Ievers 25 Dec 1936 Arrived on posting from No 10 FTS
Flt Lt A H Garland  3 Jan 1937 Attached to CFS for Flying Instructors' Course
Plt Off H J Garlick 15 Feb 1937 Attached to RAF Sutton Bridge for Air Firing Instructors' Course
Plt Off H J Garlick 13 Mar 1937 Ceased to be attached to RAF Sutton Bridge
Fg Off L H Pomeroy 15 Mar 1937 Transferred as part of 'B' Flight to form No 73 Sqn
Plt Off D Kain 15 Mar 1937 Transferred as part of 'B' Flight to form No 73 Sqn
Plt Off J R I Bell 15 Mar 1937 Transferred as part of 'B' Flight to form No 73 Sqn
Plt Off J A Thomson 15 Mar 1937 Transferred as part of 'B' Flight to form No 73 Sqn
Flt Lt A H Garland 22 Mar 1937 Posted to CFS on completion of Flying Instructors' Course
APO E Holden 24 Apr 1937 Arrived on posting from No 3 FTS
APO R E G Morewood 24 Apr 1937 Arrived on posting from No 3 FTS
Fg Off Norman F Simpson 26 Apr 1937 Posted to Electrical and Wireless School
Plt Off I S Soden 26 Apr 1937 Assumed duties of Adjutant
Plt Off H J Garlick 28 Jun 1937 Attached to RAF Calshot for floatplane training
Plt Off H J Garlick 12 Jul 1937 Attached to No 1 FTS for conversion course on Fleet Fighters

Source - No 56 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/527)

Organisational Movements: Jul 1936 - Jul 1937

Date Notes
 4 Aug 1936 'B' Flight was separated to form the basis of No 151 Squadron
13 Oct 1936 The Squadron Badge, which had been authorised by HM King Edward VIII was presented by ACM Sir Hugh Dowding KCB, CMG
No 56 Squadron badge
15 Mar 1937 'B' Flight was separated to form the basis of No 73 Squadron and moved to RAF Mildenhall
xx Jul 1937 Squadron underwent re-equipment with Gloster Gladiator Is
Gladiator I

Source - No 56 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/527)

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
Gloster Gauntlet II

Gloster Gladiator I

 RAF North Weald Fighter Command/No 11 (Fighter) Group

 

Rank Name Date Notes
Sqn Ldr Charles Lea-Cox 19 Aug 1935 Officer Commanding
Fg Off Alick Foord-Kelcey 16 Mar 1936 later AVM
Plt Off G E Horne  6 Mar 1936  
Plt Off G H F Plinston 11 May 1936  
Plt Off H J Garlick 31 Aug 1936  
Plt Off I S Soden 19 Dec 1936  
Plt Off N L Ievers 25 Dec 1936  
Plt Off E Holden 24 Apr 1937  
Plt Off R E G Morewood 24 Apr 1937  

-

5 Airman Pilots

Source - July 1937 Air Force List

Personnel Movements  Jul 1937 - Jun 1938

Rank Name Date Notes
Plt Off H J Garlick 24 Aug 1937 Posted to No 801 (Fleet Fighter) Sqn
APO R Coe  4 Sep 1937 Arrived on posting from No 6 FTS
APO H E Horne 13 Sep 1937 Arrived on posting from No 151 Sqn
APO H I Lang 13 Sep 1937 Arrived on posting from No 151 Sqn
APO P S Weaver 13 Sep 1937 Arrived on posting from No 151 Sqn
Plt Off G E Horne 21 Sep 1937 Promoted to Fg Off
APO H E Horne 11 Oct 1937 Transferred to the Reserve
APO H I Lang 11 Oct 1937 Transferred to the Reserve
APO P F Illingworth 23 Oct 1937 Arrived on posting from No 9 FTS
Fg Off Alick Foord-Kelcey  1 Oct 1937 Promoted to Act Flt Lt
APO L Ereminsky 27 Nov 1937 Arrived on posting from No 3 FTS
Plt Off G H F Plinston 31 Jan 1938 Attached to RAF Sutton Bridge for Air Firing Instructors' Course
APO R E P Brooker 19 Feb 1938 Arrived on posting from No 9 FTS
APO P D MacL Down 19 Feb 1938 Arrived on posting from No 9 FTS
Plt Off G H F Plinston 28 Feb 1938 Ceased to be attached to RAF Sutton Bridge
APO L Ereminsky  1 Mar 1938 Confirmed in rank and regraded as Plt Off
Plt Off N L Ievers 21 Mar 1938 Attached to RAF Depot for Gas Defence Course
Plt Off N L Ievers 31 Mar 1938 Ceased to be attached to RAF Depot for Gas Defence Course
Act Flt Lt Alick Foord-Kelcey  1 Apr 1938 Promoted to Flt Lt
APO R E P Brooker  5 Apr 1938 Confirmed in rank and regraded as Plt Off
Fg Off G E Horne 14 Apr 1938 Posted to No 80 Sqn, relinquishing command of 'B' Flight
Plt Off G H F Plinston 14 Apr 1938 Assumed command of 'B' Flight
Plt Off G H F Plinston 26 Apr 1938 Promoted to Fg Off
Fg Off J D C Joslin 28 Apr 1938 Arrived on posting from No 1 Air Observers School
Act Flt Lt Alick Foord-Kelcey  1 May 1938 Attached to CFS for Flying Instructors' Course
Fg Off J D C Joslin  1 May 1938 Assumed command of 'A' Flight
Plt Off I S Soden 19 Jun 1938 Promoted to Fg Off

Source - No 56 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/527)

Organisational Movements: Jul 1936 - Jul 1937

Date Notes
27 May 1938 Squadron received its first two Hawker Hurricane Is (code letter not applied until September)
Hurricane I of No 56 Squadron (1939 coded LR)

Source - No 56 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/527)

July 1938

Aircraft operated Location Command/Group
Hawker Hurricane I RAF North Weald Fighter Command/No 11 (Fighter) Group

 

Rank Name Date Notes
Sqn Ldr Charles Lea-Cox 19 Aug 1935 Officer Commanding
Act Flt Lt J D C Joslin 28 Apr 1938 OC, 'A' Flight
Fg Off G H F Plinston 11 May 1936 OC, 'B' Flight
Plt Off I S Soden 19 Dec 1936 Adjutant
Plt Off N L Ievers 25 Dec 1936  
Plt Off E Holden 24 Apr 1937  
Plt Off R E G Morewood 24 Apr 1937  
Plt Off P S Weaver 13 Sep 1937  
Plt Off R Coe  4 Sep 1937  
Plt Off P F Illingworth 23 Oct 1937  
Plt Off L Ereminsky 27 Nov 1937  
Plt Off R E P Brooker 19 Feb 1938  
Plt Off P D MacL Down 19 Feb 1938  

-

6 Airman Pilots

Source - July 1938 Air Force List

Personnel Movements  Jul - Dec 1938

Rank Name Date Notes
Sqn Ldr A E J Pratt 28 Jul 1938 Supernumerary pending taking command of the squadron
APO M L Hulton-Harrop  3 Aug 1938 Arrived on posting from No 1 RAF Depot
Sqn Ldr Charles Lea-Cox 10 Aug 1938 Posted to HQ Maintenance Command on relinquishing command of the squadron
Sqn Ldr A E J Pratt 10 Aug 1938 Assumed command of the squadron
Plt Off F C Rose 31 Oct 1938 Arrived on posting from School of Naval Co-operation

Source - No 56 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/527)

Organisational Movements: Jul 1936 - Jul 1937

Date Notes
29 Aug 1938 Squadron proceeded to No 3 ATC, RAF Sutton Bridge for Annual Armament Practice Camp
16 Sep 1938 Squadron returned from No 3 ATC, RAF Sutton Bridge on completion of Annual Armament Practice Camp
xx Sep 1938 Squadron adopted code letters 'LR' as the result of the 'Munich Crisis' (see image above)

Source - No 56 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/527)

January 1939

Aircraft operated Location Command/Group
Hawker Hurricane I RAF North Weald Fighter Command/No 11 (Fighter) Group

 

Rank Name Date Notes
Sqn Ldr A E J Pratt 28 Jul 1938 Officer Commanding
Flt Lt J D C Joslin 28 Apr 1938  
Fg Off G H F Plinston 11 May 1936  
Fg Off I S Soden 19 Dec 1936  
Fg Off N L Ievers 25 Dec 1936  
Fg Off E Holden 24 Apr 1937  
Plt Off R E G Morewood 24 Apr 1937  
Plt Off R Coe  4 Sep 1937  
Plt Off P F Illingworth 23 Oct 1937  
Plt Off L Ereminsky 27 Nov 1937  
Plt Off R E P Brooker 19 Feb 1938  
Plt Off P D MacL Down 19 Feb 1938  
Plt Off R R P Fisher  6 Sep 1938  
Plt Off F C Rose 31 Oct 1938  
APO M L Hulton-Harrop  3 Aug 1938  

Source - January 1939 Air Force List

Personnel Movements  Dec 1938 - Apr 1939

Rank Name Date Notes
APO B J Wicks 17 Dec 1938 Arrived on posting from No 6 FTS
Fg Off J H Coghlan 30 Dec 1938 Arrived on posting from No 1 Sqn
Plt Off P P Charlton  6 Feb 1939 RAFO, attached for six months training
Plt Off K C Roberts  6 Feb 1939 RAFO, attached for six months training
Sgt Palmer  6 Feb 1939 RAFVR, attached for six months training
Sgt S V Evetts 24 Apr 1939 Killed in a flying accident

Source - No 56 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/527)

April 1939

Aircraft operated Location Command/Group
Hawker Hurricane I RAF North Weald Fighter Command/No 11 (Fighter) Group

 

Rank Name Date Notes
Sqn Ldr A E J Pratt 28 Jul 1938 Officer Commanding
Flt Lt J D C Joslin 28 Apr 1938  
Fg Off I S Soden 19 Dec 1936  
Fg Off N L Ievers 25 Dec 1936  
Fg Off E Holden 24 Apr 1937  
Fg Off J H Coghlan 30 Dec 1938  
Plt Off R E G Morewood 24 Apr 1937  
Plt Off R Coe  4 Sep 1937  
Plt Off P F Illingworth 23 Oct 1937  
Plt Off L Ereminsky 27 Nov 1937  
Plt Off R E P Brooker 19 Feb 1938  
Plt Off P D MacL Down 19 Feb 1938  
Plt Off R R P Fisher  6 Sep 1938  
Plt Off F C Rose 31 Oct 1938  
Plt Off M L Hulton-Harrop  3 Aug 1938  
APO B J Wicks 17 Dec 1938  
Warrant Officer
WO W Thompson 10 Jan 1939  

Source - April 1939 Confidential Air Force List

May 1939

Aircraft operated Location Command/Group
Hawker Hurricane I RAF North Weald Fighter Command/No 11 (Fighter) Group

 

Rank Name Date Notes
Sqn Ldr A E J Pratt 28 Jul 1938 Officer Commanding
Flt Lt J D C Joslin 28 Apr 1938  
Act Flt Lt I S Soden 19 Dec 1936  
Fg Off N L Ievers 25 Dec 1936  
Fg Off E Holden 24 Apr 1937  
Fg Off J H Coghlan 30 Dec 1938  
Fg Off R E G Morewood 24 Apr 1937  
Plt Off R Coe  4 Sep 1937  
Plt Off P F Illingworth 23 Oct 1937  
Plt Off L Ereminsky 27 Nov 1937  
Plt Off R E P Brooker 19 Feb 1938  
Plt Off P D MacL Down 19 Feb 1938  
Plt Off R R P Fisher  6 Sep 1938  
Plt Off F C Rose 31 Oct 1938  
Plt Off M L Hulton-Harrop  3 Aug 1938  
Plt Off B J Wicks 17 Dec 1938  
Warrant Officer
WO W Thompson 10 Jan 1939  

Source - May 1939 Confidential Air Force List

Personnel Movements  Apr - Sep 1939

Rank Name Date Notes
Fg Off N L Ievers 24 Apr 1939 Posted to No 6 FTS
Sqn Ldr A E J Pratt 10 Jun 1939 Relinquished command of the squadron on posting to Filton
Sqn Ldr E V Knowles 10 Jun 1939 Arrived on posting from Filton and assumed command of the squadron
Plt Off P P Charlton 12 Jun 1939 Killed in a flying accident
Plt Off F F M Davies 28 Jul 1939 Arrived on posting from RAF Hucknall
APO F B Sutton  2 Aug 1939 Arrived on posting from No 2 FTS
Plt Off R E Harris 16 Aug 1939 Arrived on posting from RAF College on appointment to a Permanent Commission

Source - No 56 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/527)

Squadron Pilots - 1 Sep 1939

Rank Name Date Notes
Sqn Ldr E V Knowles 10 Jun 1939 Officer Commanding
Fg Off E Holden 24 Apr 1937 Adjutant
Flt Lt J D C Joslin 28 Apr 1938 OC, 'A' Flight
Flt Lt I S Soden 19 Dec 1936 OC, 'B' Flight
Fg Off J H Coghlan 30 Dec 1938  
Fg Off R E G Morewood 24 Apr 1937  
Fg Off R Coe  4 Sep 1937  
Plt Off L Ereminsky 27 Nov 1937  
Plt Off P F Illingworth 23 Oct 1937  
Plt Off F C Rose 31 Oct 1938  
Plt Off R E P Brooker 19 Feb 1938  
Plt Off R R P Fisher  6 Sep 1938  
Plt Off M L Hulton-Harrop  3 Aug 1938  
Plt Off B J Wicks 17 Dec 1938  
Plt Off F F M Davies 28 Jul 1939  
APO F B Sutton  2 Aug 1939  
Flt Sgt Higginson
Sgt Cooney    
Sgt Elliott    
Sgt Whirehead    
Sgt Williams   RAFVR

Source - No 56 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/527)

Personnel Movements  Sep - Dec 1939

Rank Name Date Notes
Plt Off M L Hulton-Harrop  6 Sep 1939 Killed in a friendly fire incident
Plt Off L Ereminsky  3 Oct 1939 Posted to No 615 Sqn
Plt Off B J R Brady  6 Oct 1939 Arrived on posting from No 615 Sqn
Plt Off W E Newman 29 Oct 1939 Reported for duty as Adjutant
Fg Off R E G Morewood 31 Oct 1939 Posted to No 248 Sqn
Fg Off R Coe  5 Nov 1939 Posted to No 242 Sqn

Source - No 56 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/527)

Organisational Movements: Sep - Dec 1939

Date Notes
 3 Sep 1939 Squadron changed its code letters from 'LR' to 'US'
Hurricane I of No 56 Squadron (1940 coded US)
22 Oct 1939 Squadron, except Maintenance Flight, moved from RAF North Weald to RAF Martlesham Heath
13 Dec 1939 'B' Flight and Maintenance Flight (which had moved to RAF Martlesham Heath at some point) moved to RAF North Weald

Source - No 56 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/527)

Personnel Movements  Jan - Dec 1940

Between January and May the ORB doesn't seem to record posting in or out of the unit, whilst from May to August details are patchy.

Rank Name Date Notes
Plt Off B J R Brady  2 Jan 1940 Admitted to RAF Officers' Hospital, Uxbridge with ear problems
Plt Off E D Syson  2 May 1940 Arrived on posting from the Air Ministry for Intelligence duties
Plt Off B J R Brady  5 May 1940 Posted to No 501 Sqn
Fg Off E Holden  5 May 1940 Posted to No 501 Sqn
Fg Off R E P Brooker  8 May 1940 Posted to No 1 Receiving Centre
Plt Off Evans 13 May 1940 Posted to AASF, France
Fg Off F C Rose 18 May 1940 Killed in action
Flt Lt I S Soden 18 May 1940 Killed in action
Flt Lt R H A Lee 19 May 1940 Arrived on posting from Hendon
Plt Off J B Ashton 19 May 1940 Arrived on posting from Hendon
Plt Off B J Wicks 22 May 1940 Force landed in France
Plt Off Maxwell 27 May 1940 Shot down by Belgian AA but managed to return to England the following day
Fg Off Fisher 27 May 1940 Shot down but managed to return to England
Plt Off Dryden 29 May 1940 Shot down but managed to return to England
Sgt J W Elliott 29 May 1940 Killed in action
Fg Off J H Coghlan  1 Jun 1940 Promoted to Act Flt Lt wef 23 May 1940
Plt Off M H Mounsdon  3 Jun 1940 Reported for duty
Plt Off Page  3 Jun 1940 Reported for duty
Plt Off B J Wicks  3 Jun1940 Returned after force landing in France
Plt Off Maxwell  8 Jun 1940 Admitted to hospital after being injured in combat
Plt Off L Ereminsky 17 Jun 1940 Killed in a flying accident
Fg Off F A J Chapman 18 Jun 1940 Arrived on posting from No 25 Sqn on appointment to a Commission as an Engineer
Fg Off P S Weaver 20 Jun 1940 Arrived on posting from SHQ North Weald (he had been a controller in the rank of Sqn Ldr)
Fg Off R E P Brooker 21 Jun 1940 Arrived on posting from No 11 Group
Flt Lt R H A Lee 26 Jun 1940 Posted to RAF Debden as Sqn Ldr for Operations Room duties
Flt Lt E J Gracie 27 Jun 1940 Arrived on posting from No 79 Sqn
Sqn Ldr G A L Manton 28 Jun 1940 Arrived pending assuming command of the squadron
Sqn Ldr E V Knowles  1 Jul 1940 Relinquished command of the squadron on posting to the Air Ministry (D of Plans)
Sqn Ldr G A L Manton  1 Jul 1940 Assumed command of the squadron
Plt Off C C O Joubert 15 Jul 1940 Arrived on posting from No 7 OTU
Plt Off K J Marston 28 Jul 1940 Arrived on posting from No 8 SFTS
Fg Off W E Newman 28 Jul 1940 Posted to SHQ North Weald for duty as Adjutant in the rank of Flt Lt
Plt Off L W Graham 29 Jul 1940 Arrived on posting from No 7 OTU
Fg Off I B Westmacott  3 Aug 1940 Arrived on posting from No 6 OTU
Fg Off E C Lenton  5 Aug 1940 Arrived on posting from No 6 OTU
Plt Off L B Hudson  6 Aug 1940 Reported for duty as Adjutant
Act Flt Lt J H Coghlan  7 Aug 1940 Posted to Parachute Practice Unit, Ringway
Fg Off P S Weaver  7 Aug 1940 Promoted to Act Flt Lt
Sgt R D Baker 11 Aug 1940 Killed in action
Plt Off L W Graham 19 Aug 1940 Posted to SHQ North Weald (Non-effective, sick)
Flt Lt H M Pinfold 25 Aug 1940 Arrived on posting from No 5 OTU
Flt Lt H M Pinfold 30 Aug 1940 Promoted to Act Sqn Ldr and assumed command of the squadron
Sqn Ldr G A L Manton 31 Aug 1940 Posted to RAF Hawkinge and relinquished command of the squadron
Plt Off M H Mounsdon 31 Aug 1940 Posted to SHQ North Weald (Non-effective, sick)
Fg Off I B Westmacott 31 Aug 1940 Posted to SHQ North Weald (Non-effective, sick)
Plt Off M Chelmscki 31 Aug 1940 Arrived on posting from No 6 OTU
Plt Off Z Nosowicz 31 Aug 1940 Arrived on posting from No 6 OTU
Between 1 - 24 Sep 1940, the pilots of No 56 Sqn were attached to No 249 Sqn at Boscombe Down
Fg Off R E P Brooker  1 Sep 1940 Promoted to Flt Lt
Flt Lt E J Gracie  1 Sep 1940 Posted to SHQ North Weald (Non-effective, sick)
Sgt Whitehead  1 Sep 1940 Promoted to Flt Sgt
Plt Off D C MacKenzie  5 Sep 1940 Arrived on posting from No 12 Sqn
Sgt Tweed  5 Sep 1940 Arrived on posting from No 142 Sqn
Sgt Doniger  5 Sep 1940 Arrived on posting from No 142 Sqn
Sgt Ray  5 Sep 1940 Arrived on posting from No 142 Sqn
Sgt Heslop  5 Sep 1940 Arrived on posting from No 142 Sqn
Sgt Morse  5 Sep 1940 Arrived on posting from No 142 Sqn
Fg Off E C Lenton  7 Sep 1940 Posted to SHQ North Weald (Non-effective, sick)
Plt Off M Chelmscki  9 Sep 1940 Posted to No 17 Sqn
Flt Lt R S J Edwards 10 Sep 1940 Arrived on posting from No 11 Group
Sgt Fox 15 Sep 1940 Arrived on posting from No 5 OTU
Sgt Nichols 15 Sep 1940 Arrived on posting from No 5 OTU
Sgt Tweed 15 Sep 1940 Killed in a flying accident
Sgt Doniger 18 Sep 1940 Posted to SHQ Middle Wallop (Non-effective, sick)
Plt Off P D M Down 19 Sep 1940 Arrived on posting from No 6 OTU
Sgt Meeson 15 Sep 1940 Killed in a flying accident
Plt Off R A Barnett 23 Sep 1940 Reported for duty for Intelligence duties
Sgt F W Higginson 24 Sep 1940 Appointed to a Commission as a Plt Off
Plt Off E D Syson 25 Sep 1940 Posted to RAF North Weald for Intelligence duties
Fg Off Young 26 Sep 1940 Attached for Intelligence duties
Sgt Ray 30 Sep 1940 Posted to SHQ Middle Wallop (Non-effective, sick)
Sgt Nichols  7 Oct 1940 Posted to SHQ Middle Wallop (Non-effective, sick)
Plt Off Himr  8 Oct 1940 Arrived on posting from No 79 Sqn
Sgt J Hlavac  8 Oct 1940 Arrived on posting from No 79 Sqn
Sgt J Hlavac 10 Oct 1940 Killed in action
Fg Off Young 10 Oct 1940 Ceased to be attached for Intelligence duties
Plt Off Ingle-Finch 14 Oct 1940 Arrived on posting from No 607 Sqn
Plt Off Radwanskie 14 Oct 1940 Arrived on posting from No 607 Sqn
Sgt Szacfraniec 14 Oct 1940 Arrived on posting from No 607 Sqn
Plt Off T F Guest 15 Oct 1940 Arrived on posting from No 79 Sqn
Plt Off G G Bailey 16 Oct 1940 Arrived on posting from No 79 Sqn
Flt Lt E J Gracie 17 Oct 1940 Arrived on posting from SHQ North Weald (Non-effective, sick)
Sgt Morse 21 Oct 1940 Posted to No 266 Sqn
Flt Lt E J Gracie 27 Oct 1940 Attached to RAF Christchurch
Plt Off Himr 27 Oct 1940 Attached to RAF Christchurch
Plt Off G G Bailey 27 Oct 1940 Attached to RAF Christchurch
Flt Lt E J Gracie 28 Oct 1940 Ceased to be attached to RAF Christchurch
Plt Off Himr 28 Oct 1940 Ceased to be attached to RAF Christchurch
Plt Off G G Bailey 28 Oct 1940 Ceased to be attached to RAF Christchurch
Fg Off Young  3 Nov 1940 Arrived on posting from No 249 Sqn for Intelligence duties
Fg Off I B Westmacott  4 Nov 1940 Arrived on posting from SHQ North Weald (Non-effective, sick)
Flt Sgt Smythe  5 Nov 1940 Attached to No 5 OTU
Plt Off C C O Joubert  6 Nov 1940 Posted to No 73 Sqn
Plt Off Ingle-Finch 16 Nov 1940 Posted to  SHQ Middle Wallop (Non-effective, sick)
Sgt Fox 16 Nov 1940 Posted to  SHQ Middle Wallop (Non-effective, sick)
Sgt Doniger 23 Nov 1940 Arrived on posting from A & AEE
Sgt Szacfraniec 23 Nov 1940 Killed in action
Plt Off Malengreau 29 Nov 1940 Arrived on posting from No 87 Sqn
Plt Off de Spirlet 29 Nov 1940 Arrived on posting from No 87 Sqn
Sgt Myall  2 Dec 1940 Arrived on posting from No 601 Sqn
Plt Off L B Hudson  4 Dec 1940 Promoted to Act Fg Off
Plt Off R G Wyatt  7 Dec 1940 Arrived on posting from No 601 Sqn
Plt Off R A Barnett 14 Dec 1940 Promoted to Act Fg Off
Plt Off D C MacKenzie 29 Dec 1940 Posted to RAF Upavon
Flt Sgt Whitehead 29 Dec 1940 Posted to RAF Upavon

Source - No 56 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/528)

Organisational Movements: Jan - Dec 1940

Date Notes
28 Feb 1940 'A' Flight moved from RAF Martlesham Heath to RAF North Weald
29 Apr 1940 'A' Flight moved from RAF North Weald to RAF Martlesham Heath
10 May 1940 'A' Flight moved from  RAF Martlesham Heath to RAF Gravesend
10 May 1940 'B' Flight moved from  RAF North Weald to RAF Gravesend
12 May 1940 Squadron moved to RAF Martlesham Heath and then returned to RAF North Weald on its return from a patrol
16 May 1940 'B' Flight proceeded to Vitry-en-Artois in France
18 May 1940 Air Party, 'B' Flight returned from France
18 May 1940 Ground Party, 'B' Flight departed Vitry-en-Artois for Boulogne, disembarked at Dover and proceeded to Tidworth by rail
22 May 1940 Ground Party, 'B' Flight departed Tidworth by rail for RAF North Weald via London and Epping
31 May 1940 Squadron moved from RAF North Weald to RAF Digby for a rest
 3 Jun 1940 Squadron moved from RAF Digby (satellite) to RAF Wittering
 4 Jun 1940 Squadron moved from RAF Wittering to RAF North Weald via RAF Digby
 1 Sep 1940 Squadron moved from RAF North Weald to RAF Boscombe Down
29 Nov 1940 Squadron moved from RAF Boscombe Down to RAF Middle Wallop
17 Dec 1940 Squadron moved from RAF Middle Wallop to RAF North Weald

Source - No 56 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/528)

Personnel Movements  Jan - Dec 1941

Rank Name Date Notes
Flt Lt E J Gracie  7 Jan 1941 Posted to No 23 Sqn, RAF Ford
Plt Off F W Higginson  8 Jan 1941 Promoted to Act Flt Lt
Sgt Hillwood 12 Jan 1941 Posted to No 2 CFS, RAF Cranwell
Act Sqn Ldr E N Ryder 15 Jan 1941 Arrived on posting from No 41 Sqn
Sqn Ldr H M Pinfold 18 Jan 1941 Relinquished command of No 56 Sqn on posting to Cambridge UAS
Act Sqn Ldr E N Ryder 18 Jan 1941 Assumed command of No 56 Sqn
Fg Off R F Martin 19 Jan 1941 Arrived on posting from No 56 OTU
Sgt Heslop 20 Jan 1941 Posted to No 1 SFTS, RAF Netheravon
Sgt Rabbidge 25 Jan 1941 Discharged from the RAF
Plt Off R E J Wilmet 24 Jan 1941 Arrived on posting from No 43 Sqn
Sgt R C Jones 26 Jan 1941 Arrived on posting from No 245 Sqn
Fg Off R F Martin 28 Jan 1941 Attached to No 1 PDC, RAF Uxbridge
Plt Off P A Harris  2 Feb 1941 Arrived on posting from No 3 Sqn
Sgt R C Jones  5 Feb 1941 Killed in action
Plt Off G G Bailey  8 Feb 1941 Attached to No 1 SPP, RAF White Waltham
Sgt Robinson  8 Feb 1941 Attached to No 1 SPP, RAF White Waltham
Sgt A Turner 10 Feb 1941 Arrived on posting from No 229 Sqn
Flt Sgt Smythe 11 Feb 1941 Ceased to be attached to No 55 OTU
Sgt Vardy 11 Feb 1941 Arrived on posting from No 258 Sqn
Flt Sgt Smythe 12 Feb 1941 Posted to No 25 Sqn
Sgt P E M Robinson 14 Feb 1941 Ceased to be attached to No 1 SPP, RAF White Waltham
Plt Off R L Harper 18 Feb 1941 Arrived on posting from No 56 OTU
Plt Off R A Haggar 18 Feb 1941 Arrived on posting from No 56 OTU
Plt Off Z Nosowicz 20 Feb 1941 Posted to No 316 Sqn
Plt Off G G Bailey 21 Feb 1941 Ceased to be attached to No 1 SPP, RAF White Waltham
Plt Off H Wesolowski 21 Feb 1941 Arrived on posting from No 607 Sqn
Fg Off M H Constable-Maxwell 21 Feb 1941 Posted to No 52 OTU
Fg Off R F Martin 25 Feb 1941 Ceased to be attached to No 1 PDC, RAF Uxbridge
Fg Off R F Martin 26 Feb 1941 Posted to the Middle East
Sgt A Turner 26 Feb 1941 Killed in action
Plt Off Orzechowski  2 Mar 1941 Arrived on posting from No 607 Sqn
Plt Off Inglis-Finch  4 Mar 1941 Arrived on posting from RAF Middle Wallop
Plt Off Orzechowski  5 Mar 1941 Posted to RAF North Weald as non-effective, sick
Sgt R G Carvill  5 Mar 1941 Arrived on posting from No 56 OTU
Sgt G V Hoyle 10 Mar 1941 Arrived on posting from No 232 Sqn
Fg Off I B Westmacott 11 Mar 1941 Attached to RAF Northolt
Sgt Vardy 11 Mar 1941 Attached to RAF Northolt
Plt Off Orzechowski 15 Mar 1941 Arrived on posting RAF North Weald on ceasing to be non-effective, sick
Sgt Myall 27 Mar 1941 Admitted to No 4 Casualty Clearing Station, Dorking
Plt Off R G Wyatt  4 Apr 1941 Attached to RAF North Weald
Flt Lt Morello 15 Apr 1941 Arrived on posting
Plt Off Lindsell 18 Apr 1941 Arrived on posting
Flt Lt Morello 20 Apr 1941 Posted to No 1 Sqn
Flt Lt R E P Brooker 20 Apr 1941 Posted to No 1 Sqn
Fg Off B J Wicks 20 Apr 1941 Promoted to Act Flt Lt
Sqn Ldr V Oats 22 Apr 1941 Arrived on posting
Plt Off T F Guest 26 Apr 1941 Failed to return from a sortie, later reported to be a POW
Flt Lt Gibbs  5 May 1941 Arrived on posting as supernumerary
Fg Off Coleman 15 May 1941 Engineer Officer, posted to No 60 OTU
Plt Off Wareham 15 May 1941 Arrived on posting for duty as Engineer Officer
Plt Off Radwanskie 16 May 1941 Posted to No 302 Sqn
Flt Sgt G V Hoyle 21 May 1941 Killed in action
Sgt K L Kubiak 30 May 1941 Killed in action
Sgt P E M Robinson  5 Jun 1941 Appointed to a commission in the rank of Plt Off
Plt Off P A Harris 17 Jun 1941 Killed in action
Plt Off P E M Robinson 17 Jun 1941 Killed in action
Sgt R G Carvill 17 Jun 1941 Killed in action
Plt Off L Stapel 17 Jun 1941 Arrived on posting
Sgt Brozda 17 Jun 1941 Arrived on posting
Act Sqn Ldr E N Ryder 18 Jun 1941 Relinquished command of No 56 Sqn on posting to No 53 OTU
Act Sqn Ldr P P Hanks 18 Jun 1941 Arrived on posting and assumed command of No 56 Sqn
Sgt Truhla 18 Jun 1941 Posted to No 313 Sqn
Sgt Valenta 18 Jun 1941 Posted to No 313 Sqn
Flt Lt R E Drake 23 Jun 1941 Arrived on posting for duty as Flight Commander
Plt Off L Harper  3 Jul 1941 Departed on posting
Sgt Rippon 14 Jul 1941 Departed on posting
Sqn Ldr V Oats 19 Jul 1941 Departed on posting
Plt Off Rouse 19 Jul 1941 Arrived on posting
Sgt Kay 19 Jul 1941 Departed on posting
Plt Off J F Deck  1 Nov 1941 Killed in a flying accident
Fg Off O'Leary  3 Nov 1941 Posted to No 19 Sqn
Flt Lt Wicks  4 Nov 1941 Posted to No 610 Sqn
Fg Off Ingle-Finch  4 Nov 1941 Promoted to Act Flt Lt and assumed command of 'B' Flight
Sgt Cluderay RCAF  6 Nov 1941 Arrived on posting from No 601 Sqn
Sgt Smith RAAF  7 Nov 1941 Posted to RAF Duxford
Sgt Elwell  8 Nov 1941 Posted to RAF Duxford
Sgt Stuart Turner 11 Nov 1941 Arrived on posting from No 55 OTU
Sgt Bray 11 Nov 1941 Arrived on posting from No 55 OTU
Sgt Stimpson 11 Nov 1941 Arrived on posting from No 55 OTU
Sgt Gee 18 Nov 1941 Arrived on posting from No 52 OTU
Sgt R H Deugo RCAF 25 Nov 1941 Appointed to a commission in the rank of Plt Off in the RCAF
Sgt W E Coombes  9 Dec 1941 Appointed to a commission in the rank of Plt Off in the RCAF
Sgt Worley 10 Dec 1941 Posted to No 154 Sqn
Sgt Gee 10 Dec 1941 Posted to No 91 Sqn
Flt Sgt M B Innes RCAF 13 Dec 1941 Killed in a flying accident
Act Sqn Ldr P P Hanks 20 Dec 1941 Relinquished command of No 56 Sqn on promotion to Act Wg Cdr and posting to RAF Duxford
Flt Lt H S L Dundas 20 Dec 1941 Arrived on posting from No 610 Sqn and assumed command of No 56 Sqn
Sgt Bray 22 Dec 1941 Posted to No 610 Sqn
Sgt R B Cameron RAAF 24 Dec 1941 Killed in a flying accident
Plt Off Pollock 26 Dec 1941 Arrived on posting from No 610 Sqn

Source - No 56 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/529)

Organisational Movements: Jan - Dec 1941

Date Notes
xx Feb 1941 Hurricane I were replaced by Hurricane IIBs
Hurricane IIB
12 May 1941 Squadron aircraft began night operations from RAF Hunsdon
16 May 1941 Squadron aircraft returned to RAF North Weald
15 May 1941 Squadron aircraft moved to RAF Hunsdon for night operations
17 May 1941 Squadron aircraft returned to RAF North Weald
 7 Jun 1941 Squadron aircraft moved to RAF Hunsdon for night operations
 9 Jun 1941 Squadron aircraft returned to RAF North Weald
23 Jun 1941 Squadron moved to RAF Martlesham Heath
26 Jun 1941 Squadron moved to RAF Duxford
11 Sep 1941 First Hawker Typhoon delivered to the squadron
13 Sep 1941 Second Typhoon arrived

Source - No 56 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/529)

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