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Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation
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No 85 Sqn Personnel, aircraft and locations
[Jul 1937 | Jul 1938 | Jan 1939 | Apr 1939 | May 1939 | May-Dec 1939 | Jan-Apr 1940 | May-Sep 1940 | Sep-Oct 1940 | Nov-Dec 1940 | Jan-Dec 1941]
Personnel Movements: Jun - Jul 1938
| Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
| Flt Lt | D E Turner | 1 Jun 1938 | Posted in and assumed command of the squadron |
Source - No 85 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/703)
Organisational Movements: Jun - Jul 1938
| Date | Notes |
| 1 Jun 1938 |
Reformed at Debden from 'A' Flight of No 87 Squadron, equipped with Gloster Gladiators |
 |
|
Source - No 85 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/703)
| Aircraft operated | Location | Command/Group |
| Gloster Gladiator I | RAF Debden | Fighter Command/No 12 (Fighter) Group |
| Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
| Flt Lt | D E Turner | 1 Jun 1938 | |
| Plt Off | J R M Boothby | 1 Jun 1938 | |
| Plt Off | R H A Lee | 1 Jun 1938 | |
| Plt Off | K H Blair | 1 Jun 1938 | |
| Plt Off | D H Allen | 1 Jun 1938 | |
| Plt Off | W N Lepine | 1 Jun 1938 | |
|
- |
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4 Airman Pilots |
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Source - July 1938 Air Force List
Personnel Movements: Jul 1938 - Jan 1939
| Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
| Flt Lt | A C P Carver | 12 Aug 1938 | Posted in as Supernumerary |
| Flt Lt | A C P Carver | 13 Aug 1938 | Assumed command of the squadron |
| Flt Lt | D E Turner | 13 Aug 1938 | Transferred to the Reserve |
| Flt Lt | A C P Carver | 1 Nov 1938 | Relinquished command of the squadron |
| Sqn Ldr | 1 Nov 1938 | Assumed command of the squadron |
Source - No 85 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/703)
Organisational Movements: Jul 1938 - Jan 1939
| Date | Notes |
| 4 Sep 1938 | Squadron commenced re-equipment with Hawker Hurricane Is |
 |
|
| 18 Oct 1938 | Squadron proceeded to No 2 ATC, RAF Aldergrove for Annual Armament Training |
| 11 Nov 1938 | Squadron returned from No 2 ATC, RAF Aldergrove on completion of Annual Armament Training |
Source - No 85 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/703)
| Aircraft operated | Location | Command/Group |
| Hawker Hurricane I | RAF Debden | Fighter Command/No 11 (Fighter) Group |
| Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
| Sqn Ldr | 1 Nov 1938 | Officer Commanding, later AVM | |
| Flt Lt | A C P Carver | 12 Aug 1938 | |
| Plt Off | J R M Boothby | 1 Jun 1938 | |
| Plt Off | R H A Lee | 1 Jun 1938 | |
| Plt Off | K H Blair | 1 Jun 1938 | |
| Plt Off | D H Allen | 1 Jun 1938 | |
| Plt Off | W N Lepine | 1 Jun 1938 | |
| Plt Off | L R G Mitchell | 27 Jul 1938 | |
| Plt Off | J W Leckey | 9 Jul 1938 | |
| Plt Off | D V G Mawhood | 9 Jul 1938 | |
| Plt Off | A B Angus | 9 Jul 1938 | |
| Plt Off | R N F Fowler | 9 Jul 1938 | |
| Plt Off | P P Woods-Scawen | 20 Aug 1938 | |
| Plt Off | S P Stephenson | 20 Aug 1938 | |
| APO | A V Gowers | 10 Aug 1938 |
Source - January 1939 Air Force List
Personnel Movements: Jan - Apr 1939
| Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
| WO | Newton | 1 Mar 1939 | Appointed Officer i/c Maintenance Flight |
Source - No 85 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/703)
Organisational Movements: Jan - Apr 1939
| Date | Notes |
| 1 Mar 1939 | Maintenance Flight formed |
Source - No 85 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/703)
| Aircraft operated | Location | Command/Group |
| Hawker Hurricane I | RAF Debden | Fighter Command/No 11 (Fighter) Group |
| Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
| Sqn Ldr | 1 Nov 1938 | Officer Commanding, later AVM | |
| Flt Lt | A C P Carver | 12 Aug 1938 | |
| Fg Off | R L Lorimer | 28 Dec 1938 | |
| Fg Off | J R M Boothby | 1 Jun 1938 | |
| Fg Off | R H A Lee | 1 Jun 1938 | |
| Plt Off | K H Blair | 1 Jun 1938 | |
| Plt Off | D H Allen | 1 Jun 1938 | |
| Plt Off | W N Lepine | 1 Jun 1938 | |
| Plt Off | L R G Mitchell | 27 Jul 1938 | |
| Plt Off | J W Leckey | 9 Jul 1938 | |
| Plt Off | D V G Mawhood | 9 Jul 1938 | |
| Plt Off | A B Angus | 9 Jul 1938 | |
| Plt Off | R N F Fowler | 9 Jul 1938 | |
| Plt Off | P P Woods-Scawen | 20 Aug 1938 | |
| Plt Off | S P Stephenson | 20 Aug 1938 | |
| Plt Off | D H Clarke | 17 Dec 1939 | |
| APO | A V Gowers | 10 Aug 1938 | |
| APO | J A Hemingway | 17 Dec 1938 | |
| APO | M H G Rawlinson | 6 Feb 1939 | |
| Warrant Officers | |||
| WO | H V Coulter | 16 Jan 1939 | |
| WO | S R Newton | 1 Jun 1938 | |
Source - April 1939 Confidential Air Force List
| Aircraft operated | Location | Command/Group |
| Hawker Hurricane I | RAF Debden | Fighter Command/No 11 (Fighter) Group |
| Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
| Sqn Ldr | 1 Nov 1938 | Officer Commanding, later AVM | |
| Act Flt Lt | R L Lorimer | 28 Dec 1938 | |
| Act Flt Lt | R H A Lee | 1 Jun 1938 | |
| Fg Off | J R M Boothby | 1 Jun 1938 | |
| Plt Off | K H Blair | 1 Jun 1938 | |
| Plt Off | D H Allen | 1 Jun 1938 | |
| Plt Off | W N Lepine | 1 Jun 1938 | |
| Plt Off | L R G Mitchell | 27 Jul 1938 | |
| Plt Off | J W Leckey | 9 Jul 1938 | |
| Plt Off | D V G Mawhood | 9 Jul 1938 | |
| Plt Off | A B Angus | 9 Jul 1938 | |
| Plt Off | P P Woods-Scawen | 20 Aug 1938 | |
| Plt Off | S P Stephenson | 20 Aug 1938 | |
| Plt Off | D H Clarke | 17 Dec 1939 | |
| Plt Off | A V Gowers | 10 Aug 1938 | |
| Plt Off | J A Hemingway | 17 Dec 1938 | |
| APO | M H G Rawlinson | 6 Feb 1939 | |
| Warrant Officers | |||
| WO | H V Coulter | 16 Jan 1939 | |
| WO | S R Newton | 1 Jun 1938 | |
Source - May 1939 Confidential Air Force List
Personnel Movements May - Dec 1939
| Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
| 28 x Class 'E' Reservists | 25 Aug 1939 | Posted in from Personnel Transit Centres | |
| 44 x Class 'E' Reservists | 26 Aug 1939 | Posted in from Personnel Transit Centres | |
| Sqn Ldr | J H Hill | 4 Sep 1939 | Attached for Ops Room duties, proceeded to Rouen by air |
| Plt Off | M H G Rawlinson | 4 Sep 1939 | Proceeded to France by rail with Main Party |
| Plt Off | M H G Rawlinson | 5 Sep 1939 | Arrived at Boos (Rouen) |
| Plt Off | L R G Mitchell | 5 Sep 1939 | Posted to No 611 Sqn |
| Plt Off | S P Stephenson | 12 Nov 1939 | Relinquished duties of Adjutant and reverted to flying duties |
| Plt Off | T J Molony | 12 Nov 1939 | Assumed duties of Adjutant |
| Sqn Ldr | J H Hill | 16 Nov 1939 | Posted to No 87 Sqn as OC |
Source - No 85 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/703)
Organisational Movements: May - Dec 1939
| Date | Notes |
| 27 Jun 1939 | Squadron allocated to Field Force as part of the RAF Component under No 60 Wing |
| xx Sep 1939 | Squadron changed its code letters from 'NO' to 'VY' |
 |
|
| 4 Sep 1939 | Main Party, proceeded to France by rail |
| 5 Sep 1939 | Main Party, arrived at Boos (Rouen) |
| 9 Sep 1939 | Air Party, proceeded to Boos via Thorney Island |
| 11 Sep 1939 | Sqn MT , proceeded to port of embarkation |
| 15 Sep 1939 | Rear Party, proceeded to Boos via Southampton |
| 16 Sep 1939 | Rear Party, arrived at Boos |
| 26 Sep 1939 | Advance Party, departed Boos for Merville |
| 29 Sep 1939 | Air Party, arrived at Merville |
| 29 Sep 1939 | Main Party, arrived at Merville by rail |
| 1 Oct 1939 | Rear Party arrived at Merville by road |
| 2 Nov 1939 | Advance Party, departed Merville for Lille-Seclin |
| 5 Nov 1939 | Squadron completed the move from Merville to Lille-Seclin |
Source - No 85 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/703)
Personnel Movements Jan - Apr 1940
| Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
| Sqn Ldr | 8 Jan 1940 | Relinquished command of the squadron | |
| Sqn Ldr |
J O W Oliver |
8 Jan 1940 | Assumed command of the squadron |
| Flt Lt | R L Lorimer | 8 Jan 1940 | Relinquished command of 'A' Flight on reporting sick |
| Fg Off | K H Blair | 8 Jan 1940 | Assumed command of 'A' Flight |
| Plt Off | T J Molony | 10 Jan 1940 | Relinquished duties of Adjutant whilst in SSQ |
| Plt Off | S P Stephenson | 10 Jan 1940 | Assumed duties of Adjutant |
| Fg Off | K H Blair | 17 Jan 1940 | Relinquished command of 'A' Flight |
| Fg Off | J R M Boothby | 17 Jan 1940 | Assumed command of 'A' Flight |
| Fg Off | W N Lepine | 15 Feb 1940 | Relinquished command of 'B' Flight on admission to hospital |
| Fg Off | K H Blair | 15 Feb 1940 | Assumed command of 'B' Flight |
| Sgt | S W Lenton | 6 Mar 1940 | Killed in a flying accident |
| Sgt | L A Crozier | 8 Mar 1940 | Reported for duty and allocated to 'A' Flight |
| Plt Off | J H Ashton | 11 Mar 1940 | Reported for duty and allocated to 'A' Flight |
| Sgt | A H Deacon | 15 Mar 1940 | Reported for duty and allocated to 'B' Flight |
| Sgt | J M Little | 23 Mar 1940 | Reported for duty and allocated to 'A' Flight |
| Fg Off | J R M Boothby | 25 Mar 1940 | Promoted to Act Flt Lt wef 8 Jan 1940 |
| Plt Off | M H G Rawlinson | 26 Apr 1940 | Returned to unit from sick leave |
Source - No 85 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/703)
Officers and NCO Pilots serving with the unit during April 1940
| Sqn Ldr J O W Oliver - Squadron Commander - | |||
| Fg Off T J Molony - Squadron Adjutant | |||
| Flt Lt S M Bieber - Medical Officer | |||
| Plt Off R Bradshaw - Equipment Officer | |||
| Rank | Name | Rank | Name |
| 'A' Flight | 'B' Flight | ||
| Flt Lt | J R M Boothby | Flt Lt | R H A Lee |
| Fg Off | K H Blair | Fg Off | W N Lepine |
| Fg Off | D V G Mawhood | Fg Off | A B Angus |
| Plt Off | J W Lecky | Fg Off | D H Allen |
| Plt Off | S P Stephenson | Plt Off | P P Woods-Scawen |
| Plt Off | M H G Rawlinson | Plt Off | J A Hemingway |
| Plt Off | J H Ashton | Sgt | Goodman |
| Sgt | G Allard | Sgt | Jowett |
| Sgt | Hampshire | Sgt | Deacon |
| Sgt | L A Crozier | ||
| Sgt | J M Little | ||
Source - No 85 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/703)
Organisational Movements: Jan - May 1940
| Date | Notes |
| 10 Jan 1940 | Squadron began operating detachment at Le Touquet, Abbeville and Peronne |
| 13 Jan 1940 | Detachment at Abbeville and Peronne returned to Lille |
| 17 Jan 1940 | Detachment at Le Touquet returned to Lille |
| 20 Jan 1940 | No 60 Wing took control of Nos 85 and 87 Sqns |
| 10 Apr 1940 | Squadron moved from Lille-Seclin to Mons-en-Chaussee near Peronne |
| 26 Apr 1940 | Squadron moved from Mons-en-Chaussee to Lille-Seclin |
| 19 May 1940 | Sqn MT departed Lille-Seclin for Merville |
| 20 May 1940 | Road Party departed Merville for Boulogne |
| 20 May 1940 | Air Party, departed Merville for RAF Hendon |
| 21 May 1940 | Road Party departed Boulogne by sea, arrived in Dover and proceeded to Tidworth Camp |
| 22 May 1940 | Road Party proceeded to RAF Debden from Tidworth |
Source - No 85 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/703)
Officers and NCO Pilots serving with the unit on 10 May 1940
| Sqn Ldr J O W Oliver - Squadron Commander - | |||
| Fg Off T J Molony - Squadron Adjutant | |||
| Flt Lt S M Bieber - Medical Officer | |||
| Plt Off R Bradshaw - Equipment Officer | |||
| Plt Off P C Martin - Intelligence Officer | |||
| Rank | Name | Rank | Name |
| 'A' Flight | 'B' Flight | ||
| Flt Lt | J R M Boothby | Flt Lt | R H A Lee |
| Fg Off | K H Blair | Fg Off | W N Lepine |
| Fg Off | D V G Mawhood | Fg Off | A B Angus |
| Plt Off | J W Lecky | Fg Off | D H Allen |
| Plt Off | S P Stephenson | Plt Off | P P Woods-Scawen |
| Plt Off | M H G Rawlinson | Plt Off | J A Hemingway |
| Plt Off | T C Pace | Plt Off | D H Wissler |
| Plt Off | J H Ashton | Sgt | Jowett |
| Plt Off | A G Lewis | Sgt | Deacon |
| Sgt | G Allard | ||
| Sgt | J M Little | ||
| Sgt | L A Crozier | ||
Source - No 85 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/703)
Personnel Movements May - Sep 1940
| Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
| Flt Lt | R H A Lee | 11 May 1940 | Missing |
| AC1 | W J Bolton | 11 May 1940 | Killed in action |
| Flt Lt | R H A Lee | 12 May 1940 | Reported back to unit |
| Sqn Ldr |
J O W Oliver |
13 May 1940 | Missing but returned later the same day |
| Flt Lt | D R Miller | 14 May 1940 | Posted in from No 242 Sqn |
| Plt Off | L E Chambers | 14 May 1940 | Posted in from No 242 Sqn |
| Plt Off | A H Wiens | 14 May 1940 | Posted in from No 242 Sqn |
| Plt Off | M K Brown | 14 May 1940 | Posted in from No 242 Sqn |
| Plt Off | MacQueen | 14 May 1940 | Posted in from No 242 Sqn |
| Fg Off | D H Allen | 15 May 1940 | Missing |
| Fg Off | T C Pace | 15 May 1940 | Missing, later reported to have been injured and returned to the UK |
| Plt Off | J H Ashton | 15 May 1940 | Missing |
| Fg Off | D H Allen | 16 May 1940 | Reported back to unit |
| Plt Off | J H Ashton | 16 May 1940 | Reported back to unit |
| Sgt | L A Crozier | 16 May 1940 | Missing |
| Fg Off | A B Angus | 16 May 1940 | Killed in action |
| Plt Off | M H G Rawlinson | 16 May 1940 | Killed in action |
| Sgt | L A Crozier | 17 May 1940 | Reported to be safe |
| Plt Off | J W Lecky | 18 May 1940 | Killed in a road accident |
| Fg Off | J R M Boothby | 18 May 1940 | Injured in a road accident |
| Plt Off | A H Wiens | 18 May 1940 | Missing |
| Plt Off | W N Lepine | 18 May 1940 | Missing, later reported as a POW |
| Fg Off | D H Allen | 18 May 1940 | Killed in action |
| Plt Off | L E Chambers | 18 May 1940 | Missing |
| Sgt | J M Little | 19 May 1940 | Killed in action |
| Plt Off | J E Marshall | xx May 1940 | Posted in |
| Plt Off | A V Gowers | xx May 1940 | Posted in from hospital |
| Plt Off | H D Clark | xx May 1940 | Posted in |
| Plt Off | Count M B Czernin | xx May 1940 | Posted in |
| Plt Off | R W Burton | xx May 1940 | Posted in |
| Plt Off | R W Shrewsbury | xx May 1940 | Posted in |
| Sgt | Rust | xx May 1940 | Posted in |
| Sgt | H N Howes | xx May 1940 | Posted in |
| Sgt | Butler | xx May 1940 | Posted in |
| Sgt | Allgood | xx May 1940 | Posted in |
| Sgt | Walker-Smith | xx May 1940 | Posted in |
| Sqn Ldr |
J O W Oliver |
20 May 1940 | Relinquished command of the squadron on returning to UK, sick |
| Sqn Ldr |
M Peacock |
20 May 1940 | Assumed command of the squadron |
| Plt Off | P P Woods-Scawen | 20 May 1940 | Returned to UK, sick |
| Sgt | A H Deacon | 20 May 1940 | Returned to UK, sick |
| Sgt | H N Howes | 20 May 1940 | Missing |
| Sqn Ldr |
M Peacock |
20 May 1940 | Killed in action |
| Plt Off | J W Burton | 20 May 1940 | Killed in action |
| Plt Off | R W Shrewsbury | 20 May 1940 | Killed in action |
| Sqn Ldr | P W Townsend | 23 May 1940 | Reported for duty and assumed command of the squadron |
| Flt Lt | J Jefferies | 24 May 1940 | Reported for duty and assumed command of 'B' Flight |
| Plt Off | P L Gossage | 24 May 1940 | Reported for duty from No 6 OTU |
| Plt Off | J Lockhart | 24 May 1940 | Reported for duty from No 6 OTU |
| Plt Off | J L Bickerdike | 24 May 1940 | Reported for duty from No 6 OTU |
| Plt Off | W H Hodgson | 24 May 1940 | Reported for duty from No 6 OTU |
| Flt Lt | H R Hamilton | 25 May 1940 | Posted in from No 611 Sqn and assumed command of 'A' Flight |
| Plt Off | R Bradshaw | 25 May 1940 | Posted to RAF Coltishall |
| Plt Off | G C T Carthew | 25 May 1940 | Reported for duty from No 229 Sqn |
| Sgt | Evans | 25 May 1940 | Reported for duty from No 6 OTU |
| Plt Off | C E English | 26 May 1940 | Reported for duty from No 6 OTU |
| Plt Off | A B Tucker | 27 May 1940 | Reported for duty from No 73 Sqn |
| Sgt | Cooper | 28 May 1940 | Reported for duty from No 229 Sqn |
| Plt Off | P L Gossage | 31 May 1940 | Killed in a flying accident |
| Sgt | L R Butler | 31 May 1940 | Killed in a flying accident |
| Plt Off | G C T Carthew | 4 Jun 1940 | Posted to No 253 Sqn |
| Plt Off | A B Tucker | 4 Jun 1940 | Posted to No 151 Sqn |
| Sgt | A H Deacon | 6 Jun 1940 | Returned to the squadron from sick leave, posted to 'B' Flight |
| Plt Off | Count M B Czernin | 8 Jun 1940 | Posted to No 17 Sqn |
| Plt Off | D H Wissler | 8 Jun 1940 | Posted to No 17 Sqn |
| Plt Off | J A Hemingway | 15 Jun 1940 | Reported for duty from No 253 Sqn and posted to 'A' Flight |
| Plt Off | A V Gowers | 21 Jun 1940 | Returned to unit from hospital and posted to 'B' Flight |
| Sgt | Allgood | 22 Jun 1940 | Returned to unit and posted to 'A' Flight |
| Flt Lt | R H A Lee | 29 Jun 1940 | Returned to unit and posted to 'B' Flight |
| Flt Lt | J Jefferies | 9 Jul 1940 | Relinquished command of 'B' Flight on posting to No 310 Sqn |
| Flt Lt | R H A Lee | 9 Jul 1940 | Assumed command of 'B' Flight |
| Sgt | G Allard | 10 Jul 1940 | Promoted to Flt Sgt wef 1 Jun 1940 |
| Sgt | L Jowitt | 12 Jul 1940 | Killed in action |
| Sgt | H N Howes | 13 Jul 1940 | Posted to RAF Uxbridge pending posting to the Middle East |
| WO | Newton | 14 Jul 1940 | Appointed to a commission as Flying Officer Engineer |
| Sgt | G B Booth | 15 Jul 1940 | Reported for duty from No 7 OTU and posted to 'B' Flight |
| Plt Off | P A Worrall | 21 Jul 1940 | Reported for duty and posted to 'A' Flight |
| Plt Off | J L Bickerdike | 22 Jul 1940 | Killed in a flying accident |
| Sgt | H N Howes | 24 Jul 1940 | Reported back from RAF Uxbridge |
| Fg Off | S P Stephenson | 4 Aug 1940 | Posted to No 7 OTU as an instructor |
| Plt Off | J A Hemingway | 18 Aug 1940 | Shot down during air combat and baled out over the sea |
| Flt Lt | R H A Lee | 18 Aug 1940 | Killed in action |
| Plt Off | J A Hemingway | 19 Aug 1940 | Returned to unit having been rescued by MTB |
| Flt Lt | H R Hamilton | 29 Aug 1940 | Killed in action |
| Sqn Ldr | P W Townsend | 31 Aug 1940 | Wounded in action and admitted to hospital |
| Fg Off | Gowers | 1 Sep 1940 | Shot down and admitted to hospital with burns to his hands |
| Sgt | Booth | 1 Sep 1940 | Shot down and admitted to Purley Hospital with broken bones |
| Plt Off | P P Woods-Scawen | 1 Sep 1940 | Killed in action |
| Sgt | J H M Ellis | 1 Sep 1940 | Killed in action |
| Plt Off | North | 2 Sep 1940 | Reported for duty from No 6 OTU |
| Sgt | Berkeley | 2 Sep 1940 | Reported for duty from No 6 OTU |
| Fg Off | H V Smith | 3 Sep 1940 | Reported for duty as Intelligence Officer |
| Plt Off | Mortimer | 4 Sep 1940 | Reported for duty from No 7 OTU via No 616 Sqn |
| Sgt | Nicholls | 4 Sep 1940 | Reported for duty from No 7 OTU via No 616 Sqn |
| Sgt | Whitnell | 4 Sep 1940 | Reported for duty from No 7 OTU via No 616 Sqn |
| Sgt | Staples | 4 Sep 1940 | Reported for duty from No 7 OTU via No 616 Sqn |
Source - No 85 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/703)
Personnel Movements Sep - Oct 1940
| Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
| Plt Off | G Allard | 8 Sep 1940 | Promoted to Act Flt Lt and appointed OC, 'A' Flight |
| Plt Off | J E Marshall | 8 Sep 1940 | Promoted to Act Flt Lt and appointed OC, 'B' Flight |
| Plt Off | North | 11 Sep 1940 | Posted to No 257 Sqn |
| Plt Off | Mortimer | 11 Sep 1940 | Posted to No 257 Sqn |
| Sgt | Rust | 11 Sep 1940 | Posted to No 249 Sqn |
| Sgt | Evans | 11 Sep 1940 | Posted to No 249 Sqn |
| Sgt | Whitnell | 11 Sep 1940 | Posted to No 249 Sqn |
| Sgt | Nicholls | 11 Sep 1940 | Posted to No 242 Sqn |
| Sgt | Staples | 11 Sep 1940 | Posted to No 242 Sqn |
| Plt Off | C E English | 12 Sep 1940 | Posted to No 605 Sqn |
| Sgt | H N Howes | 12 Sep 1940 | Posted to No 605 Sqn |
| Sgt | Kita | 12 Sep 1940 | Reported for duty (Polish) |
| Sgt | Muchowski | 12 Sep 1940 | Reported for duty (Polish) |
| Sgt | Paleniczer | 12 Sep 1940 | Reported for duty (Polish) |
| Plt Off | P A Worrall | 13 Sep 1940 | Posted to No 249 Sqn |
| Sgt | De La Bouchere | 13 Sep 1940 | Reported for duty from No 5 OTU (French) |
| Sgt | Fayolle | 13 Sep 1940 | Reported for duty from No 5 OTU (French) |
| Plt Off | Lewis | 11 Sep 1940 | Posted to No 249 Sqn |
| Plt Off | B A Rogers | 15 Sep 1940 | Reported for duty from No 7 OTU |
| Plt Off | J Lockhart | 16 Sep 1940 | Posted to No 213 Sqn |
| Plt Off | M C Kinder | 16 Sep 1940 | Reported for duty from No 7 OTU |
| Plt Off | F A Robshaw | 16 Sep 1940 | Reported for duty from No 7 OTU |
| Plt Off | R G Graves | 16 Sep 1940 | Reported for duty from No 253 Sqn |
| Sgt | Jones | 16 Sep 1940 | Reported for duty from No ? OTU |
| Sgt | Hutton | 16 Sep 1940 | Reported for duty from No ? OTU |
| Sgt | Johnson | 16 Sep 1940 | Reported for duty from No ? OTU |
| Sgt | Gray | 16 Sep 1940 | Reported for duty from No ? OTU |
| Sqn Ldr | P W Townsend | 21 Sep 1940 | Returned to unit from sick leave |
| Plt Off | I B Difford | 23 Sep 1940 | Reported for duty from No 6 OTU |
| Sgt | Calderwood | 23 Sep 1940 | Reported for duty from No 6 OTU |
| Plt Off | G C T Carthew | 24 Sep 1940 | Reported for duty from No 253 Sqn |
| Plt Off | P W Arbon | 26 Sep 1940 | Reported for duty from No 5 OTU |
| Plt Off | R G Graves | 27 Sep 1940 | Posted to No 253 Sqn |
| Plt Off | F A Robshaw | 27 Sep 1940 | Posted to No 229 Sqn |
| Plt Off | B A Rogers | 28 Sep 1940 | Posted to No 242 Sqn |
| Sgt | Allgood | 28 Sep 1940 | Posted to No 253 Sqn |
| Plt Off | M C Kinder | 29 Sep 1940 | Posted to No 607 Sqn |
| Plt Off | C H Hedley | 29 Sep 1940 | Reported for duty from No 6 OTU |
| Plt Off | N L D Kemp | 29 Sep 1940 | Reported for duty from No 6 OTU |
| Plt Off | C B Savory | 29 Sep 1940 | Reported for duty from No 6 OTU |
| Plt Off | A R P Thomson | 29 Sep 1940 | Reported for duty from No 6 OTU |
| Sgt | Kita | 30 Sep 1940 | Posted to No 253 Sqn |
| Plt Off | I B Difford | 1 Oct 1940 | Posted to No 607 Sqn |
| Fg Off | J B Reynolds | 5 Oct 1940 | Attached from No 5 OTU (RCAF) |
| Fg Off | J D Morrison | 5 Oct 1940 | Attached from No 5 OTU (RCAF) |
| Fg Off | N R Johnstone | 5 Oct 1940 | Attached from No 5 OTU (RCAF) |
| Plt Off | C Tarkowski | 7 Oct 1940 | Reported for duty from No 6 OTU (Polish) |
| Plt Off | C Gauze | 7 Oct 1940 | Reported for duty from No 6 OTU (Polish) |
| Fg Off | I D Watson | 9 Oct 1940 | Attached from No 151 Sqn (RCAF) |
| Plt Off | J J Robinson | 9 Oct 1940 | Reported for duty from No 6 OTU |
| Plt Off | G C T Carthew | 13 Oct 1940 | Posted to No 145 Sqn |
| Plt Off | A R P Thomson | 14 Oct 1940 | Posted to RAF North Weald |
| Sgt | Calderwood | 14 Oct 1940 | Reported for duty from No 501 Sqn |
| Sgt | Strihavka | 14 Oct 1940 | Reported for duty from No 6 OTU (Czech) |
| Sgt | Dygryn | 14 Oct 1940 | Reported for duty from No 6 OTU (Czech) |
| Plt Off | A Velebnovsky | 16 Oct 1940 | Reported for duty from No 6 OTU (Czech) |
| Plt Off | E Foit | 16 Oct 1940 | Reported for duty from No 6 OTU (Czech) |
| Sgt | Johnson | 16 Oct 1940 | Posted to No 145 Sqn |
| Plt Off | N L D Kemp | 17 Oct 1940 | Posted to No 242 Sqn |
| Plt Off | C B Savory | 17 Oct 1940 | Posted to No 242 Sqn |
| Plt Off | C H Hedley | 17 Oct 1940 | Posted to No 46 Sqn |
| Sgt | Jones | 18 Oct 1940 | Posted to No 605 Sqn |
| Plt Off | E G Bidgood | 19 Oct 1940 | Posted to No 1 RAF Depot pending posting to Malta |
| Sgt | Paleniczer | 19 Oct 1940 | Posted to No 18 OTU |
| Fg Off | J B Reynolds | 21 Oct 1940 | Posted to No 1 Sqn, RCAF |
| Fg Off | J D Morrison | 21 Oct 1940 | Posted to No 1 Sqn, RCAF |
| Fg Off | N R Johnstone | 21 Oct 1940 | Posted to No 1 Sqn, RCAF |
| Fg Off | I D Watson | 21 Oct 1940 | Posted to No 1 Sqn, RCAF |
| Plt Off | E Foit | 22 Oct 1940 | Posted to No 310 Sqn |
| Sgt | Strihavka | 22 Oct 1940 | Posted to No 310 Sqn |
| Sgt | Brezousky | 22 Oct 1940 | Posted to No 310 Sqn |
| Sgt | Mlejnecky | 22 Oct 1940 | Posted to No 310 Sqn |
| Plt Off | A Velebnovsky | 22 Oct 1940 | Posted to No 1 Sqn |
| Fg Off | W F Carnaby | 22 Oct 1940 | Reported for duty from No 264 Sqn |
| Plt Off | J R A Bailey | 22 Oct 1940 | Reported for duty from No 264 Sqn |
| Sgt | F R Walker-Smith | 22 Oct 1940 | Returned to unit from sick leave |
| Plt Off | C Tarkowski | 23 Oct 1940 | Posted to No 605 Sqn |
| Plt Off | C Gauze | 23 Oct 1940 | Posted to No 605 Sqn |
| Plt Off | J J Robinson | 23 Oct 1940 | Posted to No 242 Sqn |
| Sgt | Muchowski | 23 Oct 1940 | Posted to No 501 Sqn |
Source - No 85 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/703)
Officers and NCO Pilots serving with the unit on 23 October 1940
| Sqn Ldr P W Townsend DFC - Squadron Commander - | |||
| Fg Off T J Molony - Squadron Adjutant | |||
| Fg Off S R Newton MBE - Engineer Officer | |||
| Fg Off H V Martin - Intelligence Officer | |||
| Rank | Name | Rank | Name |
| 'A' Flight | 'B' Flight | ||
| Flt Lt | G Allard | Flt Lt | J E Marshall |
| Fg Off | W F Carnaby | Fg Off | J A Hemingway |
| Plt Off | W H Hodgson | Plt Off | J R A Bailey |
| Plt Off | P W Arbon | Plt Off | De Le Bouchere |
| Plt Off | E F Fayolle | Sgt | G Goodman |
| Sgt | T M Calderwood | Sgt | F R Walker-Smith |
| Sgt | S R Hutton | Sgt | E R Webster |
| Sgt | T C E Berkeley | Sgt | K W Gray |
Source - No 85 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/703)
Personnel Movements Nov - Dec 1940
| Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
| Plt Off | G L Howitt | 15 Nov 1940 | Reported for duty from No 615 Sqn |
| Flt Sgt | F P Burnard | 15 Nov 1940 | Reported for duty from No 72 Sqn |
| Plt Off | Evans | 19 Nov 1940 | Reported for duty from No 257 Sqn |
| Fg Off | D S G Honor | 2 Dec 1940 | Reported for duty from No 145 Sqn |
| Plt Off | E F Fayolle | 3 Dec 1940 | Posted to No 145 Sqn |
| Plt Off | De Le Bouchere | 3 Dec 1940 | Posted to No 145 Sqn |
| Sgt | H N Howes | 9 Dec 1940 | Rejoined squadron |
| Plt Off | V J Wheeler | 19 Dec 1940 | Reported for duty from No 56 OTU |
| Sgt | H N Howes | 22 Dec 1940 | Killed in action |
| Plt Off | N P W Hancock | 23 Dec 1940 | Reported for duty from No 1 Sqn |
| Fg Off | A V Gowers | 28 Dec 1940 | Returned to squadron from sick leave |
Source - No 85 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/703)
Organisational Movements: May - Dec 1940
| Date | Notes |
| 8 Jun 1940 | Squadron began using RAF Martlesham Heath as an advanced base |
| 28 Jun 1940 | Squadron began using the satellite at RAF Castle Camps |
| 10 Aug 1940 | RAF Debden was transferred from No 12 Group to No 11 Group |
| 19 Aug 1940 | Squadron moved to RAF Croydon |
| 3 Sep 1940 | Squadron moved to RAF Castle Camps |
| 5 Sep 1940 |
Squadron moved to Church Fenton, where it was reclassified as a Type C squadron. It was now tasked with taking pilots from OTUs giving them further training before passing them on to operational units, with 'A' Flight becoming the training flight whilst 'B' Flight remained operational. |
| 21 Sep 1940 | Ground personnel moved from RAF Castle Camps to RAF Church Fenton |
| 20 Oct 1940 | Squadron advised that it had been selected to specialise in night fighting |
| 23 Oct 1940 |
Squadron moved to RAF Kirton Lindsey where it became operational again, but now in the night fighting role. |
| 25 Oct 1940 | All aircraft were flown to the satellite at Caistor |
| 2 Nov 1940 | All aircraft returned to RAF Kirton-in-Lindsey |
| 7 Nov 1940 |
'A' Flight moved to Debden and transferred to No 11 Group, 'B' Flight remained at Kirton to complete it's night training |
| 13 Nov 1940 | Maintenance Flight moved to RAF Debden |
| 17 Nov 1940 | 'A' Flight moved to Gravesend |
| 21 Nov 1940 | 'B' Flight commenced moving to RAF Gravesend |
| 23 Nov 1940 | 'B' Flight completed the move to RAF Gravesend |
Source - No 85 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/703)
Personnel Movements Jan - Dec 1941
| Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
| Sgt (AG) | W J Cox | 5 Jan 1941 | Arrived on posting from No 11 OTU |
| Sqn Ldr | H D Cooke | 7 Jan 1941 | Arrived on posting as supernumerary |
| Plt Off (AG) | W R Smith | 16 Jan 1941 | Arrived on posting from No 264 Sqn for duty as Gunnery Officer |
| Sqn Ldr | H D Cooke | 22 Jan 1941 | Posted to No 315 Sqn |
| Plt Off | N P W Hancock | 23 Jan 1941 | Posted to No 615 Sqn |
| Fg Off (AG) | C A Maton | 25 Jan 1941 | Arrived on posting from RAF Catfoss |
| Plt Off | V J Wheeler | 27 Jan 1941 | Attached to RAF Watchfield for Blind Approach Course |
| Fg Off | D S G Honor | 29 Jan 1941 | Posted to No 1 RAF Depot, pending posting overseas |
| Fg Off | W Walster | 7 Feb 1941 | Arrived on posting from No 56 OTU for duty as Engineer Officer |
| Sgt | G B Booth | 7 Feb 1941 | Died from injuries |
| Fg Off | S R Newton | 10 Feb 1941 | Engineer Officer, posted to No 57 OTU |
| Plt Off | Stammers | 15 Feb 1941 | Arrived on posting for duty as Engineer Officer |
| Sqn Ldr | P W Townsend | 18 Feb 1941 | Attached to No 54 OTU for conversion course |
| Flt Lt | G Allard | 21 Feb 1941 | Ceased to be attached to No 54 OTU for conversion course |
| Fg Off | V R Snell | 21 Feb 1941 | Arrived on posting from No 145 Sqn |
| Sqn Ldr | P W Townsend | 22 Feb 1941 | Ceased to be attached to No 54 OTU for conversion course |
| Fg Off | W F Carnaby | 23 Feb 1941 | Ceased to be attached to No 54 OTU for conversion course |
| Plt Off | G L Howitt | 23 Feb 1941 | Ceased to be attached to RAF Watchfield for Blind Approach Course |
| Fg Off | V R Snell | 24 Feb 1941 | Attached to No 54 OTU for conversion course |
| Sgt | Gray | 24 Feb 1941 | Attached to No 54 OTU for conversion course |
| Sqn Ldr | P W Townsend | 3 Mar 1941 | Promoted to Act Wg Cdr |
| Fg Off | Maloney | 3 Mar 1941 | Promoted to Act Flt Lt |
| Plt Off | Gouldson | 5 Mar 1941 | Attached from No 23 Sqn for Radio Signals duties |
| Wg Cdr | Hamilton | 13 Mar 1941 | Arrived on posting from No 54 OTU as supernumerary |
| Flt Lt | G Allard | 13 Mar 1941 | Killed in a flying accident |
| Plt Off | W H Hodgson | 13 Mar 1941 | Killed in a flying accident |
| Sgt | F R Walker-Smith | 13 Mar 1941 | Killed in a flying accident |
| Plt Off | Longdon | 14 Mar 1941 | Arrived on posting from No 54 OTU (AI Operator) |
| Plt Off | N C Cordingly | 17 Mar 1941 | Arrived on posting from No 604 Sqn for duty as Radio Signals Officer |
| Plt Off | G L Barker | 20 Mar 1941 | Arrived on posting from RAF Catterick (AI Operator) |
| Flt Sgt | F P Burnard | 21 Mar 1941 | Appointed to a commission and reposted to No 85 Sqn |
| Fg Off | A V Gowers | 23 Mar 1941 | Ceased to be attached to RAF Watchfield for Blind Approach Course |
| Plt Off | Evans | 23 Mar 1941 | Attached to RAF Watchfield for Blind Approach Course |
| Sgt | Goodman | 24 Mar 1941 | Ceased to be attached to No 54 OTU for conversion course |
| Fg Off | Hemingway | 29 Mar 1941 | Ceased to be attached to RAF Watchfield for Blind Approach Course |
| Fg Off | V R Snell | 29 Mar 1941 | Attached to RAF Watchfield for Blind Approach Course |
| Sgt | Goodman | 30 Mar 1941 | Appointed to a commission and reposted to No 85 Sqn |
| Plt Off | H C Babington | 2 Apr 1941 | Arrived on posting from No 54 OTU |
| Plt Off | E N Bunting | 2 Apr 1941 | Arrived on posting from No 54 OTU |
| Fg Off | V J Wheeler | 11 Apr 1941 | Promoted to Act Sqn Ldr |
| Fg Off | V R Snell | 12 Apr 1941 | Ceased to be attached to RAF Watchfield for Blind Approach Course |
| Plt Off | E N Bunting | 12 Apr 1941 | Attached to RAF Watchfield for Blind Approach Course |
| Wg Cdr | Hamilton | 14 Apr 1941 | Posted to No 93 Sqn to command |
| Fg Off | Sawyer | 14 Apr 1941 | Posted to No 54 OTU |
| Plt Off | Longdon | 14 Apr 1941 | Posted to No 93 Sqn |
| AC2 | G C Gabriel | 6 May 1941 | Killed in a propeller accident |
| Plt Off | J R A Bailey | 25 May 1941 | Ceased to be attached to RAF Watchfield for Blind Approach Course |
| Sgt | Attenbrough | 25 May 1941 | Attached to RAF Watchfield for Blind Approach Course |
| Plt Off | A N Prior | 26 May 1941 | Arrived on posting from No 54 OTU |
| Plt Off | P G Oakes | 26 May 1941 | Arrived on posting from No 54 OTU |
| Plt Off | G H King | 26 May 1941 | Arrived on posting from No 54 OTU |
| Sgt | Munro | 26 May 1941 | Arrived on posting from No 54 OTU |
| Fg Off | W F Carnaby | 31 May 1941 | Ceased to be attached to RAF Watchfield for Blind Approach Course |
| Plt Off | F P Burnard | 31 May 1941 | Attached to RAF Watchfield for Blind Approach Course |
| Plt Off | F P Burnard | 1 Jun 1941 | Ceased to be attached to RAF Watchfield for Blind Approach Course |
| Plt Off | P G Oakes | 1 Jun 1941 | Attached to RAF Watchfield for Blind Approach Course |
| Flt Lt | Rabone | 2 Jun 1941 | Posted to RAF Hunsdon for duty with Special Havoc Flight (Turbinlight) |
| Plt Off | P L Caldwell | 4 Jun 1941 | Arrived on posting from No 54 OTU |
| Sgt | Attenbrough | 8 Jun 1941 | Ceased to be attached to RAF Watchfield for Blind Approach Course |
| Plt Off | G H King | 8 Jun 1941 | Attached to RAF Watchfield for Blind Approach Course |
| Sgt | Townsin | 8 Jun 1941 | Attached to No 2 SAN for Navigation Course |
| Sgt | Whaley | 8 Jun 1941 | Attached to No 2 SAN for Navigation Course |
| Plt Off | Krzyzanowski | 9 Jun 1941 | Arrived on posting from No 54 OTU |
| Plt Off | L Michalski | 9 Jun 1941 | Arrived on posting from No 54 OTU |
| Flt Sgt | T C E Berkeley | 14 Jun 1941 | Killed in action |
| Sgt | R Carr | 14 Jun 1941 | Killed in action |
| Wg Cdr | P W Townsend | 15 Jun 1941 | Posted to HQ, No 11 Group as Wg Cdr Training |
| Plt Off | F P Burnard | 15 Jun 1941 | Ceased to be attached to RAF Watchfield for Blind Approach Course |
| Plt Off | P G Oakes | 15 Jun 1941 | Attached to RAF Watchfield for Blind Approach Course |
| Sqn Ldr | A T D Sanders | 18 Jun 1941 | Arrived on posting from No 264 Sqn and assumed command of No 85 Sqn, wef 15 Jun 1941 |
| Flt Lt | J E Marshall | 18 Jun 1941 | Posted to RAF Hunsdon for duty with Special Havoc Flights (Turbinlight) |
| Fg Off | Hemingway | 18 Jun 1941 | Posted to RAF Hunsdon for duty with Special Havoc Flights (Turbinlight) |
| Flt Lt | G L Raphael | 19 Jun 1941 | Assumed command of 'B' Flight |
| Plt Off | A N Prior | 20 Jun 1941 | Posted to No 29 Sqn |
| Plt Off | P G Oakes | 20 Jun 1941 | Posted to No 219 Sqn |
| Sgt | Hopewell | 20 Jun 1941 | Posted to No 219 Sqn |
| Plt Off | G H King | 21 Jun 1941 | Ceased to be attached to RAF Watchfield for Blind Approach Course |
| Plt Off | P L Caldwell | 21 Jun 1941 | Attached to RAF Watchfield for Blind Approach Course |
| Plt Off | R E Neal | 24 Jun 1941 | Arrived on posting from No 3 Radio School for Special Signals duties (Supernumerary) |
| Plt Off | Howard | 4 Jul 1941 | Posted to No 141 Sqn |
| Fg Off | J R A Bailey | 7 Jul 1941 | Posted to No 1452 Flight |
| Plt Off | Barker | 16 Jul 1941 | Attached to No 141 Sqn as AI Instructor |
| Sgt | H R Tinkler | 18 Jul 1941 | Arrived on posting from No 54 OTU |
| Sgt | E T Davies | 18 Jul 1941 | Arrived on posting from No 54 OTU |
| Flt Lt | S N L Maude | 21 Jul 1941 | Arrived on posting from No 54 OTU |
| Sgt | J P Cairns | 21 Jul 1941 | Arrived on posting from No 54 OTU |
| Fg Off | W A Pye | 22 Jul 1941 | Arrived on posting from RAF Church Fenton for duty as Signals Officer |
| Plt Off | H Clegg | 22 Jul 1941 | Signals Officer, posted to No 60 OTU |
| Plt Off | Krzyzanowski | 23 Jul 1941 | Posted to No 1451 Flight |
| Plt Off | L Michalski | 23 Jul 1941 | Posted to No 1451 Flight |
| Sgt | Irving | 10 Aug 1941 | Attached to No 2 SAN for Navigation Course |
| Fg Off | H V Smith | 11 Aug 1941 | Intelligence Officer, posted to HQ, No 11 Group |
| Plt Off | H G F Sutton | 11 Aug 1941 | Arrived on posting for duty as Intelligence Officer |
| Plt Off | Barker | 11 Aug 1941 | Ceased to be attached to No 141 Sqn as AI Instructor |
| Sgt | C V Reeves | 15 Aug 1941 | Appointed to a commission and reposted to No 85 Sqn, wef 9 Aug 1941 |
| Sgt | Reed | 15 Aug 1941 | Appointed to a commission and reposted to No 85 Sqn, wef 9 Aug 1941 |
| Flt Lt | G L Raphael | 16 Aug 1941 | Promoted to Act Sqn Ldr |
| Fg Off | W F Carnaby | 16 Aug 1941 | Promoted to Act Flt Lt |
| Plt Off | Goodman | 16 Aug 1941 | Ceased to be attached to RAF Watchfield for Blind Approach Course |
| Plt Off | G L Howitt | 20 Aug 1941 | Posted to No 51 OTU (Flt Lt post) |
| Sqn Ldr | P Y Davoud | 20 Aug 1941 | Attached from RAF Drem |
| Sqn Ldr | P Y Davoud | 23 Aug 1941 | Ceased to be attached from RAF Drem |
| Plt Off | G L Barker | 23 Jul 1941 | Admitted to Woodford Green Hospital following a car accident |
| Plt Off | Beal | 25 Aug 1941 | Attached to No 1452 Flight |
| Plt Off | D Evans | 27 Aug 1941 | Attached to No 1456 Flight |
| Sgt | Carter | 27 Aug 1941 | Attached to No 1456 Flight |
| Fg Off | G Robinson | 11 Sep 1941 | Arrived on posting from No 125 Sqn |
| Plt Off | H H Norsworthy | 11 Sep 1941 | Arrived on posting from No 54 OTU |
| Plt Off | W House | 12 Sep 1941 | Arrived on posting from No 54 OTU |
| Plt Off | R H Farrell | 12 Sep 1941 | Arrived on posting from No 54 OTU |
| Sgt | Mold | 12 Sep 1941 | Arrived on posting from No 54 OTU |
| Sgt | Moores | 12 Sep 1941 | Arrived on posting from No 54 OTU |
| Sgt | Gibbs | 12 Sep 1941 | Arrived on posting from No 54 OTU |
| Sgt | Waller | 12 Sep 1941 | Arrived on posting from No 54 OTU |
| Flt Lt | T J Moloney | 15 Sep 1941 | Adjutant, proceeded on embarkation leave pending posting to the USA |
| Fg Off | G B Barbour | 16 Sep 1941 | Medical Officer, posted to No 79 (Signals) Wing |
| Fg Off | J H Brewster | 16 Sep 1941 | Arrived on posting from No 10 SoTT for duty as Medical Officer |
| Plt Off | J S Blacklock | 17 Sep 1941 | Arrived on posting for duty as Adjutant, but admitted to Ely Hospital |
| Fg Off | W G Wyer | 24 Sep 1941 | Arrived on posting from No 3 Radio School for Supernumerary Special Signals duties |
| Flt Lt | T J Moloney | 28 Sep 1941 | Reposted for duty as Adjutant, following cancellation of posting to USA |
| Sqn Ldr | V J Wheeler | 30 Sep 1941 | Posted to No 219 Sqn to command |
| Fg Off | C A Maton | 4 Oct 1941 | Posted to No 219 Sqn |
| Fg Off | S Austin | 4 Oct 1941 | Arrived on posting from No 219 Sqn |
| Plt Off | W House | 5 Oct 1941 | Attached to RAF Watchfield for Blind Approach Course |
| Plt Off | R H Farrell | 5 Oct 1941 | Attached to RAF Watchfield for Blind Approach Course |
| Sqn Ldr | J F Maffett | 7 Oct 1941 | Arrived on posting from No 54 OTU |
| Plt Off | B A Burbridge | 7 Oct 1941 | Arrived on posting from No 54 OTU |
| Plt Off | N C Cordingly | 7 Oct 1941 | Special Signals Officer, posted to HQ, No 11 Group |
| Plt Off | Beal | 7 Oct 1941 | Assumed duties of Special Signals Officer |
| Fg Off | G Robinson | 9 Oct 1941 | Attached to No 3 Radio School for AI course |
| Plt Off | G L Barker | 18 Oct 1941 | Discharged from Hill End Hospital, St Albans |
| Plt Off | W House | 21 Oct 1941 | Ceased to be attached to RAF Watchfield for Blind Approach Course |
| Plt Off | R H Farrell | 21 Oct 1941 | Ceased to be attached to RAF Watchfield for Blind Approach Course |
| Sgt | J R Jackson | 22 Oct 1941 | Admitted to Haymeads Hospital following a flying accident |
| Sgt | J R Jackson | 27 Oct 1941 | Died from injuries |
| Plt Off | Reed | 27 Oct 1941 | Admitted to hospital following a MT accident |
| Plt Off | H H Norsworthy | 30 Oct 1941 | Attached to RAF Watchfield for Blind Approach Course |
| Plt Off | J W F Peacock RCAF | 24 Sep 1941 | Arrived on posting for Supernumerary Special Signals duties |
| Wg Cdr | A T D Sanders | 31 Oct 1941 | Killed in action |
| Fg Off | S Austin | 31 Oct 1941 | Killed in action |
| Fg Off | Stammers | 1 Nov 1941 | Engineer Officer, posted to RAF Hunsdon |
| Plt Off | J E G Hoile | 1 Nov 1941 | Arrived on posting from No 54 OTU for duty as Engineer Officer |
| Wg Cdr | R K Hamblin | 3 Nov 1941 | Arrived on posting from RAF Tangmere and assumed command of No 85 Sqn |
| Plt Off | G L Barker | 8 Nov 1941 | Attached to No 456 Sqn as AI instructor |
| Fg Off | G Robinson | 14 Nov 1941 | Ceased to be attached to No 3 Radio School for AI course |
| Plt Off | G D Beatty RCAF | 14 Nov 1941 | Arrived on posting from No 3 PRC for Supernumerary Special Signals duties |
| Plt Off | F P Burnard | 18 Nov 1941 | Posted to No 54 OTU as an instructor |
| Fg Off | G L Barker | 23 Nov 1941 | Ceased to be attached to No 456 Sqn as AI instructor |
| Fg Off | H G F Sutton | 24 Nov 1941 | Intelligence Officer, attached to Harrow for Senior Intelligence Officers' Course |
| Fg Off | W G Wyer | 26 Nov 1941 | Posted to No 209 Sqn |
| APO | D S Jones | 11 Dec 1941 | Arrived on posting from No 87 Officers' Course for Supernumerary RO Airborne duties |
| APO | W Davids | 11 Dec 1941 | Arrived on posting from No 89 Officers' Course for Supernumerary Special Signals duties |
| Plt Off | I MacInness | 22 Dec 1941 | Arrived on posting from No 3 Radio School |
| Plt Off | P L Caldwell | 22 Dec 1941 | Posted to No 148 Sqn |
| Fg Off | G Robinson | 22 Dec 1941 | Posted to No 141 Sqn |
| Plt Off | J W F Peacock RCAF | 22 Dec 1941 | Posted to No 3 Radio School |
| Plt Off | H C Babington | 22 Dec 1941 | Posted to No 157 Sqn |
| Sgt | C V Reeves | 22 Dec 1941 | Posted to No 157 Sqn |
| Sqn Ldr | J F Maffett | 22 Dec 1941 | Promoted to Temp Wg Cdr |
| Flt Lt | S N L Maude | 22 Dec 1941 | Promoted to Temp Sqn Ldr |
| Fg Off | V R Snell | 22 Dec 1941 | Promoted to Flt Lt (WS) |
| Fg Off | W F Carnaby | 22 Dec 1941 | Promoted to Flt Lt (WS) |
| Wg Cdr | J F Maffett | 26 Dec 1941 | Departed on posting |
| Sqn Ldr | S N L Maude | 26 Dec 1941 | Assumed command of 'A' Flight |
| Fg Off | G L Barker | 30 Dec 1941 | Promoted to Act Flt Lt |
Source - No 85 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/704)
Organisational Movements: Jan - Dec 1941
| Date | Notes |
| 1 Jan 1940 | Squadron moved from RAF Gravesend to RAF Debden |
| 2 Jan 1941 | 3 x Boulton Paul Defiants arrived to commence re-equipment |
 |
|
| 3 Jan 1941 | 3 x Defiants delivered |
| 4 Jan 1941 | 2 x Defiants delivered |
| 6 Jan 1941 | 6 x Air Gunners arrived from No 9 B & GS |
| 9 Jan 1941 | 1 x Defiant delivered |
| 10 Jan 1941 | 3 x Air Gunners arrived from No 1 School of Army Co-operation |
| 11 Jan 1941 | Squadron received a mascot in the form of an Alsatian dog called 'Kim' |
| 11 Feb 1941 | 'A' Flight proceeded to No 54 OTU for twin-engined conversion |
| 15 Feb 1941 | Defiants were collected by pilots from No 96 Sqn, squadron continued to carry out operations with Hurricanes |
| 15 Feb 1941 | First Douglas Havoc I arrived |
 |
|
| 21 Feb 1941 | Second Havoc I was collected from RAF Burtonwood |
| 22 Feb 1941 | 2 x Havoc Is was collected from RAF Burtonwood |
| 25 Feb 1941 | 1 x Havoc I was collected from RAF Burtonwood |
| 26 Feb 1941 | 1 x Havoc I was collected from RAF Burtonwood |
| 3 Mar 1941 | 1 x Havoc I was collected from RAF Burtonwood |
| 11 Mar 1941 | 1 x Havoc I was collected from RAF Burtonwood |
| 15 Mar 1941 | Squadron was released from operations, until 6 April, to concentrate on Havoc training |
| 5 Apr 1941 | 1 x Havoc I was collected from RAF Burtonwood |
| 7 Apr 1941 | Squadron was declared operational on |
| 3 May 1941 | HQ Flight, 'A' Flight and Servicing Echelon moved from RAF Debden to RAF Hunsdon |
| 4 May 1941 | 'B' Flight moved from RAF Debden to RAF Hunsdon |
| 17 May 1941 | A Turbinlite Havoc was collected from RAF Heston for trials |
 |
|
| 2 Jun 1941 | 1 x Havoc I was collected from RAF Brize Norton |
| 21 Jun 1941 | 1 x Cygnet aircraft was received for trials |
| 2 Jul 1941 | 1 x Cygnet aircraft was collected from the maunfacturers |
| 27 Jul 1941 | First Havoc II (12 x machine guns) collected from RAF Burtonwood |
 |
|
| 6 Aug 1941 | 1 x Havoc II collected from RAF Burtonwood |
| 9 Aug 1941 | More Havoc IIs collected from RAF Burtonwood |
| xx Dec 1941 | Last Havoc I was disposed of |
Source - No 85 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/704)
[Jul 1937 | Jul 1938 | Jan 1939 | Apr 1939 | May 1939 | May-Dec 1939 | Jan-Apr 1940 | May-Sep 1940 | Sep-Oct 1940 | Nov-Dec 1940 | Jan-Dec 1941]
This page was last updated on 17/10/23
