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Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation
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No 240 Sqn Personnel, aircraft and locations
[Jul 1937 | Jul 1938 | Jan 1939 | Apr 1939 | May 1939]
Organisational Movements: Mar - Jul 1937
| Date | Notes |
| 30 Mar 1937 | Reformed at Calshot by renaming 'C' Flight, Seaplane Training Squadron as No 240 (Flying Boat) Sqn |
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| 30 Mar 1937 | Squadron to continue operating as a training unit |
Source - No 240 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/1458)
| Aircraft operated | Location | Command/Group |
| Short Scapa | RAF Calshot | Coastal Command/No 17 (Training) Group |
| Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
| Sqn Ldr | J McFarlane | 1 Apr 1937 | Officer Commanding, |
| Flt Lt | G F Humphries | 1 Apr 1937 | |
| Flt Lt | Frederick R Drew | 1 Apr 1937 | later A/Cdre |
| Flt Lt | G R Brice | 1 Apr 1937 | |
| Flt Lt | A G F Stewart | 1 Apr 1937 | |
| Flt Lt | J C Sisson | 1 Apr 1937 | |
| Fg Off | G S A Parnaby | 1 Apr 1937 | |
| Plt Off | Leslie Fox | 10 May 1937 | later A/Cdre |
Source - July 1937 Air Force List
Personnel Movements: Jul 1937 - Jul 1938
| Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
| Sqn Ldr | J McFarlane | 21 Sep 1937 | Detached to command a ferry flight of London IIs to No 202 Sqn |
| Flt Lt | G F Humphries | 21 Sep 1937 | Assumed temporary command of No 240 Sqn |
| Sqn Ldr | J McFarlane | 7 Oct 1937 | Injured in a flying accident at RAF Kalafrana |
| Sqn Ldr | M W C Ridgway | 14 Oct 1937 | Arrived on posting and assumed command of No 240 Sqn |
| Sqn Ldr | J McFarlane | 14 Oct 1937 | Posted to HQ No 16 Group |
Source - No 240 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/1458)
Organisational Movements: Jul 1937 - Jul 1938
| Date | Notes |
| 9 Sep 1937 | Squadron title changed to No 240 (General Reconnaissance) Sqn |
Source - No 240 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/1458)
| Aircraft operated | Location | Command/Group |
| Short Scapa | RAF Calshot | Coastal Command/No 17 (Training) Group |
| Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
| Sqn Ldr | M W C Ridgway | 14 Oct 1937 | Officer Commanding, |
| Flt Lt | A G F Stewart | 1 Apr 1937 | |
| Flt Lt | J C Sisson | 1 Apr 1937 | |
| Flt Lt | R H S McConnell | 6 Jul 1937 | |
| Flt Lt | A A de Gruyther | 6 Jun 1938 | |
| Fg Off | A W Fletcher | 17 Dec 1937 | |
| Plt Off | Leslie Fox | 10 May 1937 | later A/Cdre |
Source - July 1938 Air Force List
Organisational Movements: Jul 1938 - Jan 1939
| Date | Notes |
| 7 Nov 1938 | First Short Singapore III, K8566, arrived from No 210 Sqn |
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| 22 Nov 1938 | Singapore III, K6920 arrived from No 210 Sqn |
| 30 Nov 1938 | Singapore III, K8568 arrived from No 210 Sqn |
Source - No 240 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/1458)
| Aircraft operated | Location | Command/Group |
| Short Scapa Short Singapore III |
RAF Calshot | Coastal Command/No 17 (Training) Group |
| Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
| Sqn Ldr | M W C Ridgway | 14 Oct 1937 | Officer Commanding, |
| Sqn Ldr | A G F Stewart | 1 Apr 1937 | |
| Flt Lt | J W Young | 16 May 1938 | |
| Flt Lt | A A de Gruyther | 6 Jun 1938 | |
| Fg Off | A W Fletcher | 17 Dec 1937 | |
| Fg Off | J MacL H Sinclair | 9 Nov 1938 |
Source - January 1939 Air Force List
Organisational Movements: Jan - Apr 1939
| Date | Notes |
| 1 Jan 1939 | Squadron ceased to be a training unit and became an operational unit |
Source - No 240 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/1458)
| Aircraft operated | Location | Command/Group |
Short Singapore III |
RAF Calshot | Coastal Command/No 16 (Reconnaissance) Group |
| Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
| Wg Cdr | M W C Ridgway | 14 Oct 1937 | Officer Commanding, |
| Sqn Ldr | A G F Stewart | 1 Apr 1937 | |
| Flt Lt | J W Young | 16 May 1938 | |
| Flt Lt | A A de Gruyther | 6 Jun 1938 | |
| Fg Off | A W Fletcher | 17 Dec 1937 | |
| Fg Off | J MacL H Sinclair | 9 Nov 1938 | |
| Plt Off | H C Bailey | 6 Dec 1938 | |
| Plt Off | V M P Pam | 24 Feb 1939 | |
| Plt Off | G H M Piril | 24 Feb 1939 | |
| Plt Off | R Thomas | 24 Feb 1939 |
Source - April 1939 Confidential Air Force List
| Aircraft operated | Location | Command/Group |
Short Singapore III |
RAF Calshot | Coastal Command/No 16 (Reconnaissance) Group |
| Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
| Wg Cdr | M W C Ridgway | 14 Oct 1937 | Officer Commanding, |
| Sqn Ldr | A G F Stewart | 1 Apr 1937 | |
| Flt Lt | J W Young | 16 May 1938 | |
| Flt Lt | A A de Gruyther | 6 Jun 1938 | |
| Fg Off | J MacL H Sinclair | 9 Nov 1938 | |
| Plt Off | H C Bailey | 6 Dec 1938 | |
| Plt Off | V M P Pam | 24 Feb 1939 | |
| Plt Off | G H M Piril | 24 Feb 1939 | |
| Plt Off | R Thomas | 24 Feb 1939 | |
| Warrant Officer | |||
| WO | J Nash | 6 Mar 1939 | |
Source - May 1939 Confidential Air Force List
Personnel Movements: May - Dec 1939
| Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
| Wg Cdr | M W C Ridgway | 25 Aug 1939 | Relinquished command of No 240 Sqn on posting to RAF St Athan |
| Wg Cdr | R H Carter | 25 Aug 1939 | Assumed command of No 240 Sqn |
| Flt Lt | A A de Gruyther | 25 Aug 1939 | Relinquished duties of Flight Commander |
| Sqn Ldr | J W Young | 25 Aug 1939 | Assumed duties of Flight Commander |
| Plt Off | H A B Porteuous | 17 Sep 1939 | Arrived on posting |
| Plt Off | Fursman | 17 Sep 1939 | Arrived on posting |
| Flt Lt | G L Gandy | 1 Oct 1939 | Arrived on posting |
| Plt Off | N A L Smith | 7 Oct 1939 | Arrived in posting from Flying Boat Conversion Course |
| Sqn Ldr | J A K Pettit | 15 Oct 1939 | Arrived on posting from Bomber Command for duty as Navigation Officer |
| Flt Lt | R H S McConnell | 22 Oct 1939 | Arrived on posting from Reserve Command |
| Flt Lt | J M H Sinclair | 3 Nov 1939 | Failed to return from a sortie |
| Sgt | T E Page | 3 Nov 1939 | Failed to return from a sortie |
| Cpl | D D Kane | 3 Nov 1939 | Failed to return from a sortie |
| LAC | A J Saffin | 3 Nov 1939 | Failed to return from a sortie |
| AC1 | J C Lewis | 3 Nov 1939 | Failed to return from a sortie |
| AC1 | C Wilson | 3 Nov 1939 | Failed to return from a sortie |
| Wg Cdr | R H Carter | 7 Nov 1939 | Assumed command of No 100 Wing |
| Plt Off | R E Hunter | 15 Nov 1939 | Arrived on posting from RAF Calshot |
| Plt Off | J W Louw | 20 Nov 1939 | Arrived in posting from No 1 Flying Boat Conversion Course (War) |
| Plt Off | J N Stacey | 20 Nov 1939 | Arrived in posting from No 1 Flying Boat Conversion Course (War) |
| Flt Lt | V M P Pam | 20 Dec 1939 | Killed in action |
Source - No 240 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/1458)
Organisational Movements: May - Dec 1939
| Date | Notes |
| 19 Jun 1939 | Squadron reverted to a training role to train 30 pilots on No 19 Flying Boat Pilots Conversion Course |
| 18 Jul 1939 | Squadron ceased training and reverted to an operational role with its Singapores being handed over to the FBTS |
| 18 Jul 1939 | 2 x Saro London IIs, K5257 and K6929 were received from No 204 Sqn for re-equipment |
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| Jul - Aug 1939 | Londons, K5808 (II), K5913 (I), K5911 (I) and K6930 (II) received over the three weeks in that order |
| xx Jul 1939 | 1 x Saro Lerwick, L7251 was received |
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| 11 Aug 1939 | London K5258 received from reserve as a replacement for K5913 which was damaged by fire |
| 12 Aug 1939 | Squadron proceeded to its War Station, RAF Invergordon |
| 10 Sep 1939 | 2 x Londons attached to No 100 Wing, Sullom Voe |
| 16 Sep 1939 | 3 x Londons attached to RAF Mount Batten |
| 30 Sep 1939 | 3 x Londons at RAF Mount Batten moved to Falmouth |
| xx Sep 1939 | 1 x Saro Lerwick, L7251 was disposed of |
| xx Oct 1939 | 3 x Londons returned from Falmouth |
| 7 Nov 1939 | Air party departed Invergordon for the Sullom Voe, Shetlands by rail |
| 8 Nov 1939 | Ground party departed Invergordon for the Shetlands by rail |
| 11 Nov 1939 | Ground party sailed for Lerwick from Aberdeen on SS St Claire |
Source - No 240 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/1458)
Personnel Movements: Jan - Dec 1940
| Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
| Sgt | Flowers | 13 Jan 1940 | Arrived on posting from No 201 Sqn |
| Plt Off | J W Louw | 29 Jan 1940 | Attached to RAF St Athan for Advance Air Observers' Course |
| Act Flt Lt | R C Bailey | 4 Feb 1940 | Ceased to be attached to RAF St Athan on completion of Astro-Navigation Course |
| Plt Off | S A Johnston | 12 Feb 1940 | Attached to RAF St Athan for Specialist Navigation Course |
| Sqn Ldr | J A K Pettit | 19 Feb 1940 | Attached to HQ Coastal Command for duty as Admiralty Liaison Officer |
| Plt Off | N A L Smith | 21 Feb 1940 | Attached to No 235 Sqn fir Navigation Instructor duties |
| Plt Off | S C Romer | 21 Feb 1940 | Attached to No 235 Sqn fir Navigation Instructor duties |
| Flt Lt | A A de Gruyther | 23 Feb 1940 | Assumed temporary command of No 240 Sqn |
| Fg Off | Pirie | 24 Feb 1940 | Relinquished duties of Adjutant |
| Plt Off | J W Louw | 29 Feb 1940 | Assumed duties of Adjutant |
| Plt Off | T F Seymour | 6 Mar 1940 | Arrived in posting from Flying Boat Training Sqn |
| Act Flt Lt | N C Bailey | 12 Mar 1940 | Confirmed in his rank of Fg Off |
| Flt Lt | A A de Gruyther | 13 Mar 1940 | Promoted to Sqn Ldr |
| Plt Off | C S West | 14 Mar 1940 | Air Gunner, arrived on posting from RAF Oban and attached to RAF Calshot |
| Plt Off | C E Edwards | 12 Apr 1940 | Arrived on posting from No 3 Base Area for duty as Adjutant |
| Sqn Ldr | F Rump | 30 Apr 1940 | Arrived on posting for duty of Flight Commander |
| Sqn Ldr | A A de Gruyther | 1 May 1940 | Relinquished duties of Flight Commander on posting to FBTS |
| Sqn Ldr | F Rump | 1 May 1940 | Assumed duties of Flight Commander |
| Plt Off | R T Harding | 8 May 1940 | Air Gunner, arrived on posting from RAF Evanton |
| Plt Off | C S West | 13 May 1940 | Air Gunner, attached to CGS, RAF Warmwell for No 6 Gunnery Course |
| Plt Off | H A B Porteuous | 7 Jun 1940 | Promoted to Act Fg Off |
| Plt Off | Whitworth | 12 Jun 1940 | Arrived on posting, wef 9 Jun 1940 |
| Plt Off | P C Thomas | 12 Jun 1940 | Arrived on posting, wef 9 Jun 1940 |
| Flt Lt | Fair | 12 Jun 1940 | Posted to No 1 (C) OTU, RAF Silloth |
| Flt Lt | G L Gandy | 13 Jun 1940 | Promoted to Sqn Ldr, wef 1 Jun 1940 |
| Flt Lt | R H S McConnell | 13 Jun 1940 | Promoted to Sqn Ldr, wef 1 Jun 1940 |
| Plt Off | R T Harding | 14 Jun 1940 | Air Gunner, attached to CGS, RAF Warmwell for No 7 Gunnery Course |
| Fg Off | J Barraclough | 16 Jun 1940 | Promoted to Act Flt Lt, wef 12 May 1940 |
| Plt Off | C S West | 17 Jun 1940 | Air Gunner, ceased to be attached to CGS, RAF Warmwell |
| Cpl | Wellington | 18 Jun 1940 | Promoted to Temp Sgt, wef 15 May 1940 |
| Sqn Ldr | G L Gandy | 23 Jun 1940 | Posted to No 18 Group for operational duties |
| Fg Off | C E Edwards | 27 Jun 1940 | Adjutant, promoted to Act Flt Lt |
| Wg Cdr | R H Carter | 28 Jun 1940 | Assumed temporary command of RAF Pembroke Dock |
| Sgt | W R Spier | 21 Jun 1940 | Killed in a flying accident whilst on a course at RAF St Athan |
| Fg Off | H A B Porteuous | 6 Jul 1940 | Promoted to Act Flt Lt |
| Sgt | Watts | 10 Jul 1940 | Proceeded on posting to SAAF |
| Plt Off | R T Harding | 13 Jul 1940 | Air Gunner, ceased to be attached to CGS, RAF Warmwell |
| Wg Cdr | R H Carter | 20 Jul 1940 | Proceeded on detachment with three aircraft to Oban |
| Sqn Ldr | F Rump | 20 Jul 1940 | Assumed temporary command of No 240 Sqn |
| Wg Cdr | R H Carter | 30 Jul 1940 | Resumed command of No 240 Sqn |
| Plt Off | Franklin | 3 Aug 1940 | Attached to No 1 AAS, RAF Manby for Bombing Leaders' Course |
| Sqn Ldr | R H S McConnell | 10 Aug 1940 | Posted to No 269 Sqn, wef 14 Aug 1940 |
| Sqn Ldr | R H S McConnell | 11 Aug 1940 | Proceeded on leave prior to posting |
| Sqn Ldr | R H S McConnell | 16 Aug 1940 | Returned from leave |
| LAC | Squires | 17 Aug 1940 | Proceeded to Paignton for ITW course pending pilot training |
| LAC | Nutkins | 17 Aug 1940 | Proceeded to Paignton for ITW course pending pilot training |
| Sqn Ldr | R H S McConnell | 17 Aug 1940 | Departed on posting to No 269 Sqn |
| Plt Off | Franklin | 19 Aug 1940 | Ceased to be attached to No 1 AAS, RAF Manby |
| Plt Off | J E R Hayter | 29 Aug 1940 | Promoted to Fg Off, wef 17 Jun 1940 |
| Plt Off | S C Romer | 31 Aug 1940 | Ceased to be attached to No 236 Sqn for Navigation Instructor duties |
| Act Fg Off | H A B Porteuous | 7 Sep 1940 | Promoted to Substantive Fg Off |
| Plt Off | Fryer (+ 2 x NCOs) | 12 Sep 1940 | Attached to gain some GR experience |
| Wg Cdr | A W Bates | 27 Sep 1940 | Arrived on posting pending assuming command of No 240 Sqn |
| Wg Cdr | R H Carter | 28 Sep 1940 | Relinquished command of No 240 Sqn on posting to the Air Ministry |
| Wg Cdr | A W Bates | 28 Sep 1940 | Assumed command of No 240 Sqn |
| Plt Off | J W Louw | 2 Oct 1940 | Admitted to SSQ |
| Fg Off | J A Holmes | 4 Oct 1940 | Promoted to Act Flt Lt |
| Fg Off | J E R Hayter | 4 Oct 1940 | Promoted to Act Flt Lt |
| Plt Off | C S West | 8 Oct 1940 | Air Gunner, promoted to Act Fg Off |
| Plt Off | Fryer | 21 Oct 1940 | Ceased to attached on being attached to No 502 Sqn |
| Plt Off | S C Romer | 26 Oct 1940 | Posted to FBTS for Instructor duties |
| Plt Off | J N Stacey | 30 Oct 1940 | Promoted to Fg Off, wef 3 Sep 1940 |
| Plt Off | Fursman | 30 Oct 1940 | Promoted to Fg Off, wef 3 Sep 1940 |
| Plt Off | R E Hunter | 30 Oct 1940 | Promoted to Fg Off, wef 3 Sep 1940 |
| Plt Off | S C Romer | 30 Oct 1940 | Promoted to Fg Off, wef 3 Sep 1940 |
| Plt Off | Hurst | 31 Oct 1940 | Posted to FBTS for 2nd pilot duties |
| Wg Cdr | A W Bates | 6 Nov 1940 | Assumed temporary command of RAF Stranraer |
| Flt Lt | Thomas | 16 Nov 1940 | Proceeded to RAF Pembroke Dock for training on PBY (Catalina) aircraft |
| Plt Off | Whitworth | 16 Nov 1940 | Proceeded to RAF Pembroke Dock for training on PBY (Catalina) aircraft |
| Plt Off | Franklin | 16 Nov 1940 | Proceeded to RAE Farnborough for course on American Bomb Aimer Sights |
| Sqn Ldr | MacDermott | 19 Nov 1940 | Arrived on posting |
| Plt Off | T F Seymour | 22 Nov 1940 | Promoted to Fg Off |
| Plt Off | Bradshaw | 23 Nov 1940 | Arrived on posting |
| Fg Off | J N Stacey | 24 Nov 1940 | Posted to FBTS for Instructor duties |
| Act Flt Lt | R C Bailey | 27 Nov 1940 | Proceeded to RAF Pembroke Dock for training on PBY (Catalina) aircraft |
| Fg Off | Fursman | 27 Nov 1940 | Proceeded to RAF Pembroke Dock for training on PBY (Catalina) aircraft |
| Fg Off | C S West | 29 Nov 1940 | Air Gunner, attached to No 500 Sqn, RAF Aldergrove |
| Fg Off | Syms | 30 Nov 1940 | Air Gunner, arrived on posting |
| Plt Off | Thurtle | 7 Dec 1940 | Air Gunner, arrived on posting |
| Flt Lt | Thomas | 11 Dec 1940 | Returned from RAF Pembroke Dock on completion of training |
| Plt Off | J F Davis | 14 Dec 1940 | Air Observer, arrived on posting from FBTS |
| Act Flt Lt | R C Bailey | 15 Dec 1940 | Posted for ferrying duties from the USA to collect a 'Flying Fortress' |
| Fg Off | Franklin | 15 Dec 1940 | Posted for ferrying duties from the USA to collect a 'Flying Fortress' |
| Sqn Ldr | M D Thunder | 16 Dec 1940 | Arrived on posting from No ? Group |
| Sqn Ldr | F Rump | 18 Dec 1940 | Posted for ferrying duties from the USA to collect a 'Flying Fortress' |
| Plt Off | Thurtle | 19 Dec 1940 | Air Gunner, promoted to Act Fg Off |
| Sgt | Flower | 28 Dec 1940 | Promoted to Flt Sgt |
| Fg Off | B R Hutchinson? | 30 Dec 1940 | Arrived on posting from RAF Limavady for Engineer duties |
Source - No 240 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/1458)
Organisational Movements: Jan - Dec 1940
| Date | Notes |
| 7 Feb 1940 | Advance ground party departed Lerwick for Aberdeen on SS Highlander en-route to Invergordon |
| 9 Feb 1940 | Main ground party departed Lerwick for Aberdeen on SS St Clair en-route to Invergordon |
| 9 Feb 1940 | Advance ground party departed Aberdeen for Invergordon by rail |
| 12 Feb 1940 | Main ground party arrived at Invergordon |
| 27 Mar 1940 | Squadron moved to RAF Sullom Voe |
| 17 Apr 1940 | Squadron moved ashore from SS Manela |
| 25 May 1940 | Ground party proceeded to Lerwick en-route to RAF Pembroke Dock |
| 27 May 1940 | Squadron aircraft departed RAF Sullom Voe for RAF Pembroke Dock |
| 28 May 1940 | Ground party embarked at Lerwick on SS Highlander for Aberdeen en-route to RAF Pembroke Dock |
| 29 May 1940 | Ground party disembarked at Aberdeen and entrained for RAF Pembroke Dock |
| 30 May 1940 | Ground party arrived at RAF Pembroke Dock |
| 2 Jun 1940 | 3 x Londons, K5260, K5909 and K5910 delivered to RAF Calshot for disposal |
| 6 Jun 1940 | First Supermarine Stranraer arrived from RAF Calshot for re-equipment |
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| 7 Jun 1940 | Second Stranraer arrived from RAF Calshot for re-equipment |
| 9 Jun 1940 | Third Stranraer arrived from RAF Calshot for re-equipment |
| 11 Jul 1940 | Advance party departed RAF Pembroke Dock for Stranraer |
| 26 Jul 1940 | Squadron stores dispatched to Stranraer by rail |
| 29 Jul 1940 | Main party departed RAF Pembroke Dock for Stranraer |
| 29 Jul 1940 | Air party departed RAF Pembroke Dock for Stranraer |
| 30 Jul 1940 | Main party arrived at Stranraer |
| 30 Jul 1940 | 2 x aircraft from Oban arrived at Stranraer |
| 24 Oct 1940 | Squadron instructed to commence operating as a night unit |
| 29 Oct 1940 | Squadron reverted to operating by day |
Source - No 240 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/1458)
[Jul 1937 | Jul 1938 | Jan 1939 | Apr 1939 | May 1939]
This page was last updated on 17/10/23©
