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No 185 Sqn Personnel, aircraft and locations

[Jul 1938 | Jan 1939  | Apr 1939 | May 1939 | Jan-May 1940 | May-Dec 1941]

Personnel Movements: Jun - Jul 1938

Rank Name Date Notes
Flt Lt D Addenbrooke  1 Jun 1938 Arrived on posting and assumed command of No 185 Sqn
Fg Off A H Smythe  1 Jun 1938 Arrived on posting
Plt Off R P Nelms  1 Jun 1938 Arrived on posting
Plt Off C Cakebread  1 Jun 1938 Arrived on posting
Plt Off G G Avis  1 Jun 1938 Arrived on posting

Source - No 185 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/1139)

Organisational Movements: Jun - Jul 1938

Date Notes
 1 Jun 1938 Reformed at Abingdon from 'B' Flight of No 40 Squadron
 3 Jun 1938 6 x Hawker Hinds transferred from No 40 Sqn
Hawker Hind
21 Jul 1938 2 x Fairey Battles collected from the manufacturers at Stockport
Battle I

Source - No 185 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/1139)

July 1938

Aircraft operated Location Command/Group
Hawker Hind

Fairey Battle I

 RAF Abingdon Bomber Command/No 1 (Bomber) Group

 

 

Rank Name Date Notes
Flt Lt D Addenbrooke  1 Jun 1938  
Fg Off A H Smythe  1 Jun 1938  
Plt Off R P Nelms  1 Jun 1938  
Plt Off C Cakebread  1 Jun 1938  
Plt Off G G Avis  1 Jun 1938  

-

3 Airman Pilots

Source - July 1938 Air Force List

Personnel Movements: Jul 1938 - Jan 1939

Rank Name Date Notes
Flt Lt D Addenbrooke 15 Oct 1938 Relinquished command of No 185 Sqn and assumed command of 'A' Flight
Sqn Ldr A E Louks 15 Oct 1938 Arrived on posting from the Air Ministry and assumed command of No 185 Sqn
Plt Off G G Avis 15 Oct 1938 Assumed command of 'B' Flight
Flt Lt D Addenbrooke xx Dec 1938 Promoted to Sqn Ldr

Source - No 185 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/1139)

Organisational Movements: Jul 1938 - Jan 1939

Date Notes
27/28 Jul 1938 4 x Hinds delivered to General Aircraft Co, Hanworth
 4 Aug 1938 1 x Hind delivered to No 26 MU, RAF Cardington
 4 Aug 1938 1 x Hind delivered to the Station Flight, RAF Finningley
29 Aug 1938 Advance Party, proceeded from RAF Abingdon to RAF Thornaby
 1 Sep 1938 Main Party, proceeded from RAF Abingdon to RAF Thornaby
 1 Sep 1938 Air Party, proceeded from RAF Abingdon to RAF Thornaby
27 Sep 1938 Squadron moved from RAF Thornaby to RAF Grantham and exchanged its aircraft with those of No 218 Sqn
15 Oct 1938 Squadron returned to RAF Thornaby from RAF Grantham
 1 Nov 1938 Squadron establishment increased to 16 x IE plus 5 x IR aircraft

Source - No 185 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/1139)

January 1939

Aircraft operated Location Command/Group
Fairey Battle I RAF Thornaby Bomber Command/No 5 (Bomber) Group

 

Rank Name Date Notes
Sqn Ldr A E Louks 13 Oct 1938 Officer Commanding
Sqn Ldr D Addenbrooke  1 Jun 1938  
Plt Off R P Nelms  1 Jun 1938  
Plt Off C Cakebread  1 Jun 1938  
Plt Off G G Avis  1 Jun 1938  
Plt Off J M D Irvine 11 Jun 1938  
Plt Off A M Murphy 30 Jul 1938  
Plt Off W A Blake 20 Aug 1938  
Plt Off E B Liddell 20 Aug 1938  
Plt Off D H Jacklin  9 Jul 1938  
Plt Off N H Svendsen  9 Jul 1938  
Plt Off S Moxham 20 Aug 1938  

Source - January 1939 Air Force List

April 1939

Aircraft operated Location Command/Group
Fairey Battle I RAF Thornaby Bomber Command/No 5 (Bomber) Group

 

Rank Name Date Notes
Sqn Ldr A E Louks 13 Oct 1938  
Act Fg Off R P Nelms  1 Jun 1938  
Plt Off C Cakebread  1 Jun 1938  
Plt Off G G Avis  1 Jun 1938  
Plt Off J M D Irvine 11 Jun 1938  
Plt Off A M Murphy 30 Jul 1938  
Plt Off W A Blake 20 Aug 1938  
Plt Off E B Liddell 20 Aug 1938  
Plt Off D H Jacklin  9 Jul 1938  
Plt Off N H Svendsen  9 Jul 1938  
Plt Off S Moxham 20 Aug 1938  
Plt Off W A C Mulloy 28 Jan 1939  
Plt Off R R Harper 17 Dec 1938  
APO R H Bunker 17 Dec 1938  
Warrant Officer
WO E V Osmond 20 Feb 1939  

Source - April 1939 Confidential Air Force List

May 1939

Aircraft operated Location Command/Group
Fairey Battle I RAF Thornaby Bomber Command/No 5 (Bomber) Group

 

Rank Name Date Notes
Sqn Ldr A E Louks 13 Oct 1938  
Sqn Ldr F D Terdery  3 Apr 1939  
Act Flt Lt (Plt Off) R P Nelms  1 Jun 1938  
Act Flt Lt (Plt Off) G G Avis  1 Jun 1938  
Plt Off C Cakebread  1 Jun 1938  
Plt Off J M D Irvine 11 Jun 1938  
Plt Off A M Murphy 30 Jul 1938  
Plt Off W A Blake 20 Aug 1938  
Plt Off E B Liddell 20 Aug 1938  
Plt Off D H Jacklin  9 Jul 1938  
Plt Off N H Svendsen  9 Jul 1938  
Plt Off S Moxham 20 Aug 1938  
Plt Off W A C Mulloy 28 Jan 1939  
Plt Off R R Harper 17 Dec 1938  
Plt Off R H Bunker 17 Dec 1938  
Plt Off R Hadingham 11 Mar 1939  
Plt Off J D G Withers 11 Mar 1939  
APO W O D Tweddell  3 Apr 1939  
Warrant Officer
WO E V Osmond 20 Feb 1939  

Source - May 1939 Confidential Air Force List

Personnel Movements: Jan - Dec 1939

Rank Name Date Notes
Sqn Ldr D Addenbrooke  9 Jan 1939 Posted to No 90 Sqn
Plt Off R P Nelms  9 Jan 1939 Assumed command of 'A' Flight
Plt Off W A C Mulloy 28 Jan 1939 Arrived on posting
Plt Off R P Nelms xx Feb 1939 Promoted to Act Flt Lt
Plt Off G G Avis xx Feb 1939 Promoted to Act Flt Lt
Plt Off R Hadingham 11 Mar 1939 Arrived on posting
Plt Off J D G Withers 11 Mar 1939 Arrived on posting
Sqn Ldr C Guppy 23 Mar 1939 Arrived on posting for duty as Temporary OC
APO W O D Tweddell  3 Apr 1939 Arrived on posting
Sqn Ldr F D Terdery  3 Apr 1939 Arrived on posting from No 6 FTS for duty as Engineer Officer
Sqn Ldr A E Louks 21 Apr 1939 Relinquished command of No 185 Sqn on posting to HMS Glorious
Sqn Ldr C Guppy 21 Apr 1939 Assumed command of No 185 Sqn
Wg Cdr E D Barnes xx May 1939 Arrived on posting from No 1 RAF Depot and assumed command of No 185 Sqn
Plt Off Brooke-Taylor xx Jun 1939 Arrived on posting
Plt Off Barr xx Jul 1939 Arrived on posting
Plt Off J Musgrave xx Jul 1939 Arrived on posting
Plt Off R B Knowles 14 Aug 1939 Arrived on posting
Plt Off R W Harper 18 Aug 1939 Killed in a flying accident
Plt Off A P B Hordern  9 Sep 1939 Arrived on attachment
Plt Off D Redmayne 10 Sep 1939 Arrived on attachment
Plt Off R J Dunlop-McKenzie 10 Sep 1939 Arrived on attachment
Sgt Plt A N Mowlan 11 Sep 1939 Arrived on posting
Plt Off E D Tiddy 17 Sep 1939 Arrived on attachment for duty as Adjutant
Wg Cdr E D Barnes  6 Oct 1939 Assumed temporary command of RAF Finningley on attachment
Plt Off R Hadingham  7 Oct 1939 Attached to RAF St Athan for No 1 War Navigation Course
Plt Off Barr  7 Oct 1939 Attached to RAF St Athan for No 1 War Navigation Course
Sqn Ldr D J P Lee  8 Oct 1939 Attached
Plt Off A M Murphy  8 Oct 1939 Attached to RAF Boscombe Down for short Gunnery Course
Plt Off J D G Withers 13 Oct 1939 Posted to RAF Scampton
Plt Off W O D Tweddell 13 Oct 1939 Posted to RAF Scampton
Plt  Off N H Svendsen 13 Oct 1939 Posted to RAF Scampton
Plt Off Brooke-Taylor 13 Oct 1939 Posted to RAF Scampton
Sgt Jones 13 Oct 1939 Posted to RAF Hemswell
Sgt Duncan 13 Oct 1939 Posted to RAF Hemswell
Plt Off N S Cornish 16 Oct 1939 Arrived on attachment
Plt Off S Moxham 19 Oct 1939 Discharged from RAF Hospital, Cranwell and posted N/E (sick) to No 1 RAF Depot
Plt Off Bunker 20 Oct 1939 Posted to RAF Scampton
Plt Off S Moxham 23 Oct 1939 Arrived on posting from N/E (sick), No 1 RAF Depot
Wg Cdr E D Barnes 23 Oct 1939 Arrived on posting from No 1 RAF Depot and assumed command of No 185 Sqn
Sqn Ldr D J P Lee 23 Oct 1939 Posted to RAF Hemswell
Plt Off N S Cornish  9 Nov 1939 Ceased to be attached on posting to No 106 Sqn
Plt Off B C Bell 10 Nov 1939 Arrived on attachment from No 57 Sqn
Plt Off P D Tunstall 10 Nov 1939 Attached from No 49 Sqn for operational training
Plt Off W A C Mulloy 15 Nov 1939 Attached to CGS, RAF Warmwell
Plt Off R D J Radbourne 18 Nov 1939 Arrived on posting from No 3 FTS for operational training
Plt Off H W H Fisher 18 Nov 1939 Arrived on posting from No 3 FTS for operational training
Plt Off E A C Hill 18 Nov 1939 Arrived on posting from No 3 FTS for operational training
Plt Off D A A Romans 18 Nov 1939 Arrived on posting from No 3 FTS for operational training
Plt Off B J Souter 18 Nov 1939 Arrived on posting from No 15 FTS for operational training
Plt Off L B Fawcett 18 Nov 1939 Arrived on posting from No 15 FTS for operational training
Plt Off J C Barker 18 Nov 1939 Arrived on posting from No 15 FTS for operational training
Plt Off D H Jacklin 19 Nov 1939 Ceased to be attached to Perth Municipal Airport
Fg Off D P W R Robinson 22 Nov 1939 Arrived on posting from No 5 BGS for operational training
Plt Off J M D Irvine 24 Nov 1939 Posted to No 49 Sqn
Plt Off W A C Mulloy 24 Nov 1939 Posted to No 83 Sqn
Fg Off A B Lennie 26 Nov 1939 Arrived on posting from No 98 Sqn for operational training
Fg Off A G Griffin 26 Nov 1939 Arrived on posting from No 98 Sqn for operational training
Plt Off J E Watts 26 Nov 1939 Arrived on posting from No 98 Sqn for operational training
Plt Off A T L Scoltock 26 Nov 1939 Arrived on posting from No 98 Sqn for operational training
Plt Off J D Nettleton 26 Nov 1939 Arrived on posting from No 98 Sqn for operational training
Plt Off K A Ramsey 26 Nov 1939 Arrived on posting from No 98 Sqn for operational training
Sqn Ldr N Hope 30 Nov 1939 Killed in a flying accident (5 Group Staff Officer)
Plt Off J Musgrave 30 Nov 1939 Killed in a flying accident
Sgt L Thom 30 Nov 1939 Killed in a flying accident
AC2 D J O'Regan 30 Nov 1939 Killed in a flying accident
Plt Off C Cakebread  3 Dec 1939 Attached to CGS, RAF Warmwell
Flt Lt A B Smith  4 Dec 1939 Arrived on posting from RAF Scampton for duty as Adjutant
Plt Off E D Tiddy  6 Dec 1939 Adjutant, ceased to be attached on posting to RAF Scampton for Intelligence duties
Plt Off Rowan 16 Dec 1939 Arrived on posting from No 10 SFTS, RAF Ternhill for operational training
Plt Off Freke 16 Dec 1939 Arrived on posting from No 6 SFTS, RAF Little Rissington for operational training
Sgt Wilkes 16 Dec 1939 Arrived on posting from No 10 SFTS, RAF Ternhill for operational training
Sgt Fielder 16 Dec 1939 Arrived on posting from No 6 SFTS, RAF Little Rissington for operational training
Sgt Fuller 19 Dec 1939 Attached to No 144 Sqn, RAF Hemswell
Plt Off A P B Hordern 19 Dec 1939 Ceased to be attached on posting to No 49 Sqn
Plt Off D Redmayne 19 Dec 1939 Ceased to be attached on posting to No 83 Sqn
Plt Off R J Dunlop-McKenzie 19 Dec 1939 Ceased to be attached on posting to No 83 Sqn
Plt Off P D Tunstall 19 Dec 1939 Ceased to be attached on posting to No 61 Sqn
Plt Off B C Bell 21 Dec 1939 Ceased to be attached on posting to No 1 Receiving Centre, Uxbridge

Source - No 185 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/1139)

Organisational Movements: Jan - Dec 1939

Date Notes
xx May 1939 Squadron advised it would re-equip with Handley Page Hampdens
 2 Jun 1939 Squadron commenced re-equipment with Handley Page Hampdens, with first collected from Radlett
Hampden I of No 185 Squadron
16 Aug 1939 One Flight commenced re-equipment with Handley Page Herefords
Hereford I
24 Aug 1939 Squadron moved from RAF Thornaby to RAF Cottesmore
26 Aug 1939 Rear Party moved from RAF Thornaby to RAF Cottesmore
xx Aug 1939 Squadron received 4 x Avro Ansons*
Anson I
 9 Nov 1939 Anson, N5085 transferred to RAF Upwood
12 Nov 1939 Hampden, L4206 transferred to CGS, RAF Warmwell
13 Nov 1939 Hereford, L6008 received from No 5 MU, RAF Kemble
14 Nov 1939 Hampden, L4199 transferred to CGS, RAF Warmwell
12 Dec 1939 Anson, N9830 received from A V Roe & Co Ltd, Woodford
16 Dec 1939 Ansons, N9831, N9832, N9833 and N9834 received from A V Roe & Co Ltd, Woodford

Source - No 185 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/1139), except *

Personnel Movements: Jan - Apr 1940

Rank Name Date Notes
Plt Off E A C Hill  1 Jan 1940 Killed in a flying accident
Sgt S E J Bartlett  5 Jan 1940 Posted to No 9 SFTS, RAF Hullavington
Sgt Plt O Beck  6 Jan 1940 Arrived on posting from No 15 FTS for operational training
Plt Off M E Lowe  6 Jan 1940 Arrived on posting from No 15 FTS for operational training
Plt Off E B Rendall  6 Jan 1940 Arrived on posting from No 15 FTS for operational training
Plt Off R R Sandford  6 Jan 1940 Arrived on posting from No 15 FTS for operational training
Plt Off D H Jacklin 10 Jan 1940 Attached to RAF Finningley
Sgt A M Mowlan 10 Jan 1940 WOp, attached to RAF Finningley
Sgt S V Vant 10 Jan 1940 Attached to RAF Finningley
Sqn Ldr H P Burwood 14 Jan 1940 Attached for Flying Refresher Course
Flt Sgt C L Trickett 14 Jan 1940 Attached to RAF Boscombe Down for course of instruction
Plt Off F W C G Tussard 18 Jan 1940 Arrived on posting from No 7 Sqn for duty as Adjutant
Plt Off J D Nettleton 28 Jan 1940 Attached to School of Air Navigation
Fg Off D P W R Robinson 31 Jan 1940 Attached to RAF Finningley, pending posting
Plt Off R Hadingham  5 Feb 1940 Posted to the School of Air Navigation
Plt Off A M Murphy 15 Feb 1940 Posted to the School of Air Navigation
Plt Off R Rainford 18 Feb 1940 Attached from RAF Cottesmore for operational training
Fg Off A B Lennie 19 Feb 1940 Posted to No 106 Sqn and attached to School of Air Navigation
Fg Off A G Griffin 19 Feb 1940 Posted to No 106 Sqn and attached to School of Air Navigation
Plt Off S Moxham 19 Feb 1940 Posted to No 106 Sqn and attached to School of Air Navigation
Plt Off J C Barker 19 Feb 1940 Posted to No 106 Sqn and attached to School of Air Navigation
Plt Off J E Watts 19 Feb 1940 Posted to No 106 Sqn and attached to School of Air Navigation
Sqn Ldr D B D Field 23 Feb 1940 Attached from No 72 Wing for operational training
Plt Off Rigg 23 Feb 1940 Attached from RAF Cottesmore for operational training
APO D E Stewart 23 Feb 1940 Attached from RAF Cottesmore for operational training
Sqn Ldr H P Burwood 26 Feb 1940 Ceased to be attached on posting to HQ No 5 Group
Plt Off J D Nettleton 28 Feb 1940 Ceased to be attached to School of Air Navigation
Sqn Ldr D B D Field 29 Feb 1940 Attached to No 106 Sqn for conversion course
Sgt Plt S J Hitchings 11 Mar 1940 Attached from RAF Cottesmore for operational training duties
Sgt Plt R Bucknell 11 Mar 1940 Attached from RAF Cottesmore for operational training duties
Sgt Plt J H Brown 11 Mar 1940 Attached from RAF Cottesmore for operational training duties
Plt Off F W C G Tussard 21 Mar 1940 Attached to RAF Loughborough for course of instruction

Source - No 185 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/1139)

Organisational Movements: Jan - Apr 1940

Date Notes
10 Jan 1940 Hereford, L6016 collected from No 10 MU, RAF Hullavington
10 Jan 1940 Hampden, L4194 transferred to RAF Finningley
23 Feb 1940 Hampdens, P1278 and P1279 received from No 20 MU, RAF Aston Down
 1 Mar 1940 Hampdens, P1274 and P1275 received from No 20 MU, RAF Aston Down
 6 Mar 1940 Hampden, P1273 received from No 20 MU, RAF Aston Down
 5 Apr 1940 Squadron disbanded on being absorbed into No 14 Operational Training Unit

Source - No 185 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/1139)

Personnel Movements: May - Dec 1941

Rank Name Date Notes
Sqn Ldr P W O Mould 12 May 1941 Assumed command of No 185 Sqn on formation
Plt Off C E Hamilton 14 May 1941 Killed in action
Sgt E V Wynne 15 May 1941 Killed in action
Sgt Jolly 19 May 1941 Attached to No 261 Sqn
Sgt Sheppard 19 May 1941 Attached to No 261 Sqn
Plt Off G G Bailey  7 Jun 1941 Attached to No 249 Sqn
Sgt Sheppard  7 Jun 1941 Attached to No 249 Sqn
Sgt Jolly  7 Jun 1941 Attached to No 46 Sqn
Sgt Burton 11 Jun 1941 Admitted to Imtarfa Hospital following a flying accident
Plt Off Gray  1 Jul 1941 Departed on posting to the UK
Sgt Hodson  1 Jul 1941 Departed on posting to the UK
Flt Lt Jefferies xx Jul 1941 Arrived on posting
Plt Off D W Lintern 30 Sep 1941 Killed in action
Sqn Ldr P W O Mould  1 Oct 1941 Killed in action
Flt Lt J M N Pike  1 Oct 1941* Assumed command of No 185 Sqn and promoted to Act Sqn Ldr*
Plt Off P J B Veitch  4 Oct 1941 Killed in a flying accident
Plt Off D U Barnwell 14 Oct 1941 Killed in action (attached to MNFU)
Sgt E G Knight 25 Oct 1941 Killed in action
Fg Off G G Bailey  9 Nov 1941 Killed in action
Flt Sgt R A Cousens 21 Nov 1941 Killed in action
Flt Sgt B Hayes 21 Dec 1941 Killed in action
Flt Sgt A J Forth 29 Dec 1941 Killed in action

Source - No 185 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/1139)

* These are estimated as the relevant page of the ORB is missing.

Organisational Movements: May - Dec 1941

Date Notes
12 May 1941 No 185 Sqn was reformed at RAF Hal Far, Malta from No 261 Sqn and No 1430 Flight
12 May 1941 Squadron was equipped with Hurricane Is
Hurricane I of No 185 Squadron (Malta - 1941)

 

Hurricane I of No 185 Squadron (Malta - 1941, coded GL)
12 May 1941 Squadron was equipped with Hurricane IIA
Hurricane IIA
 4 Jul 1941 Squadron operated Hurricane IICs for the first time
Hurricane IIC
 6 Jun 1941 Squadron ceased to be a day-fighter unit, becoming a night-fighter unit
 1 Jul 1941 Squadron reverted to the day-fighter role
 1 Jul 1941 Following an influx of new personnel the officer/NCO pilot strength on this date was: -
  • Sqn Ldr P W O Mould DFC - Officer Commanding
'A' Flight
  • Flt Lt J M N Pike - Flight Commander
  • Plt Off Allardice
  • Plt Off Oliver
  • Plt Off Veitch
  • Sgt Vardy
  • Sgt Jolly
  • Sgt Sheppard
  • Sgt Sutherland
  • Sgt Bates
  • Sgt Hunton
  • Sgt Swire
  • Sgt Horsey
  • Sgt Wren
  • Sgt Hayes
  • Sgt Knight
 'B' Flight
  • Flt Lt Hancock - Flight Commander
  • Plt Off Thompson
  • Plt Off Bailey
  • Plt Off Winton
  • Plt Off Barnwell
  • Plt Off Woodsend
  • Sgt Forth
  • Sgt Cousens
  • Sgt Ellis
  • Sgt Nurse
  • Sgt Ream
  • Sgt Branson
  • Sgt Westcott
  • Sgt Lillywhite
  • Sgt Alderson
Sick
  • Sgt Burton
  • Sgt Walmsley

Source - No 185 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/1139)

[Jul 1938 | Jan 1939  | Apr 1939 | May 1939 | Jan-May 1940 | May-Dec 1941]

This page was last updated on 17/10/23©

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