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No 263 Sqn Personnel, aircraft and locations


Personnel Movements: Oct - Dec 1939

Rank Name Date Notes
Sqn Ldr J W Donaldson  2 Oct 1939 Arrived on posting and assumed command of No 263 Sqn
Act Flt Lt R S Mills  2 Oct 1939 Arrived on posting from HQ Fighter Command and assumed command of 'A' Flight
Fg Off T Rowland  2 Oct 1939 Arrived on posting from HQ No 11 Group and assumed command of 'B' Flight
Plt Off J A Dixon  2 Oct 1939 Arrived on posting
Plt Off P Wyatt-Smith  2 Oct 1939 Arrived on posting
Plt Off M A Craig-Adams  2 Oct 1939 Arrived on posting
Plt Off L R Jacobsen  2 Oct 1939 Arrived on posting
Plt Off P H Purdy  2 Oct 1939 Arrived on posting
Plt Off S R McNamara  2 Oct 1939 Arrived on posting
Plt Off J M Abell  2 Oct 1939 Arrived on posting
Plt Off P B Hillcoat  2 Oct 1939 Arrived on posting
Plt Off G W B Austin  2 Oct 1939 Arrived on posting
Plt Off J G Hughes  2 Oct 1939 Arrived on posting
Plt Off I F McDermott  2 Oct 1939 Arrived on posting
Plt Off D E D Milsom  2 Oct 1939 Arrived on posting
Plt Off J W McKenzie  2 Oct 1939 Arrived on posting
Plt Off P J N Nettleton  2 Oct 1939 Arrived on posting
WO A Smart  2 Oct 1939 Arrived on posting for duty as Sqn Disciplinarian
WO Sanders  2 Oct 1939 Arrived on posting for duty as Sqn Armament Officer
Sgt Plt A E Makin  2 Oct 1939 Arrived on posting
Sgt Plt R T Llewellyn  2 Oct 1939 Arrived on posting
Sgt Plt E E Russell  2 Oct 1939 Arrived on posting
Sgt Plt K P Vickery  2 Oct 1939 Arrived on posting
Plt Off W E Hunt  6 Oct 1939 Arrived on posting for duty as Adjutant
Plt Off J M Abell 11 Oct 1939 Posted to No 605 Sqn, RAF Tangmere
Plt Off P B Hillcoat 11 Oct 1939 Posted to No 605 Sqn, RAF Tangmere
Plt Off G W B Austin 11 Oct 1939 Posted to No 605 Sqn, RAF Tangmere
Sgt Plt B E Whall 11 Oct 1939 Arrived on posting from No 605 Sqn, RAF Tangmere
Sgt Plt P Watson-Parker 11 Oct 1939 Arrived on posting from No 605 Sqn, RAF Tangmere
Sgt Plt H H Kitchener 11 Oct 1939 Arrived on posting from No 605 Sqn, RAF Tangmere
Sgt Plt P Watson-Parker 21 Oct 1939 Admitted to Lydney Hospital following a flying accident
WO W F Diggins  6 Nov 1939 Arrived on posting from No 1 AAS, RAF Manby
Flt Sgt B R Grant 11 Nov 1940 Promoted to Temp WO
Sgt Plt D W Mason 14 Nov 1939 Arrived on posting from No 11 Group Pool
Sgt Plt A E Makin 25 Nov 1939 Posted to No 41 Sqn, RAF Catterick
Sgt Plt R T Llewellyn 25 Nov 1939 Posted to No 41 Sqn, RAF Catterick
Act Flt Lt R S Mills  1 Dec 1939 Promoted to Flt Lt, wef 25 Nov 1939
Fg Off T Rowland  2 Dec 1939 Promoted to Act Flt Lt, wef  2 Oct 1939
Plt Off S R McNamara  2 Dec 1939 Attached to the Royal Navy for duty as a Liaison Officer
Cpl T F Thornber  2 Dec 1939 Attached to the Ground Training School, RAF Eastchurch for training
Cpl W J McDonald  2 Dec 1939 Attached to the Ground Training School, RAF Eastchurch for training
Cpl J G Boggan  2 Dec 1939 Attached to the Ground Training School, RAF Eastchurch for training
Cpl V Misstearc  2 Dec 1939 Attached to the Ground Training School, RAF Eastchurch for training
LAC S Vincent  2 Dec 1939 Attached to the Ground Training School, RAF Eastchurch for training
LAC J G Dumbleton  2 Dec 1939 Attached to the Ground Training School, RAF Eastchurch for training
LAC A E Thorn  2 Dec 1939 Attached to the Ground Training School, RAF Eastchurch for training
LAC R Davies  2 Dec 1939 Attached to the Ground Training School, RAF Eastchurch for training
AC1 G E Manley  2 Dec 1939 Attached to the Ground Training School, RAF Eastchurch for training
AC2 T W Trow  2 Dec 1939 Attached to the Ground Training School, RAF Eastchurch for training
AC2 G R Angus  2 Dec 1939 Attached to the Ground Training School, RAF Eastchurch for training
AC2 J K McLean  2 Dec 1939 Attached to the Ground Training School, RAF Eastchurch for training
AC2 G E Parry  2 Dec 1939 Attached to the Ground Training School, RAF Eastchurch for training
AC2 R S Saunders  2 Dec 1939 Attached to the Ground Training School, RAF Eastchurch for training
AC2 B H Williams  2 Dec 1939 Attached to the Ground Training School, RAF Eastchurch for training
AC2 J H Wilson  2 Dec 1939 Attached to the Ground Training School, RAF Eastchurch for training
AC2 L J Cheeseman  2 Dec 1939 Attached to the Ground Training School, RAF Eastchurch for training
AC2 E Evans  2 Dec 1939 Attached to the Ground Training School, RAF Eastchurch for training
AC2 C Bowyer  2 Dec 1939 Attached to the Ground Training School, RAF Eastchurch for training
Sgt W F Howells  4 Dec 1940 Arrived on posting from No 1 Balloon Training Unit, RAF Cardington
Sgt Plt D W Mason  9 Dec 1939 Posted to No 141 Sqn, RAF Turnhouse

Source - No 263 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/1547)

Organisational Movements: Oct - Dec 1939

Date Notes
 2 Oct 1939 Formed at RAF Filton
10 Oct 1939 6 x Gloster Gladiators collected from No 605 Sqn, RAF Tangmere
Gladiator I

Gladiator II of No 263 Squadron (Norway 1940)

Gladiator II of No 263 Squadron (four tone scheme)

11 Oct 1939 4 x Gladiators received
26 Oct 1939 6 x new Gladiators collected from No 8 MU, RAF Little Rissington
27 Oct 1939 5 x new Gladiators collected from No 8 MU, RAF Little Rissington
28 Oct 1939 5 x new Gladiators collected from No 8 MU, RAF Little Rissington
 6 Nov 1939 6 x new Gladiators collected from No 6 MU, RAF Brize Norton
14 Nov 1949 Squadron completed re-equipment of its Gladiators with Browning .303 machine guns

Source - No 263 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/1547)

Personnel Movements: Jan - Dec 1940

Rank Name Date Notes
Flt Lt R S Mills  2 Jan 1940 Attached to RAF Northolt for Air Fighting Course
Plt Off S R McNamara  2 Jan 1940 Assumed temporary command of 'A' Flight
WO A Smart 11 Jan 1940 Posted to HQ, British Air Forces in France
Flt Lt R S Mills 14 Jan 1940 Ceased to be ttached to RAF Northolt and resumed command of 'A' Flight
Plt Off S R McNamara 14 Jan 1940 Relinquished temporary command of 'A' Flight
Flt Sgt T W P Dixon 23 Jan 1940 Fitter/Armourer, posted to Air Component, BEF in France
LAC G Fisk 23 Jan 1940 ACH, posted to Air Component, BEF in France
Act Cpl S Robinson 23 Jan 1940 ACH/Service Police, posted to Air Component, BEF in France
AC2 D Williams 23 Jan 1940 Posted to HQ Balloon Command
AC2 R Butler 23 Jan 1940 Posted to HQ Balloon Command
AC2 Tonks 23 Jan 1940 Posted to HQ Balloon Command
AC2 W Whitfield 23 Jan 1940 Posted to HQ Balloon Command
Sgt C Holloway 23 Jan 1940 WEM, promoted to Temp Flt Sgt
Plt Off J M V Carpenter 25 Jan 1940 Arrived on posting from No 11 Group Pool, RAF St Athan
Plt Off M A Bentley 25 Jan 1940 Arrived on posting from No 11 Group Pool, RAF St Athan
Plt Off S R McNamara 31 Jan 1940 Admitted to RAF Hospital, Locking for an operation on his hand
Plt Off W P Richards  5 Feb 1940 Arrived on posting from No 11 Group Pool, RAF St Athan
Fg Off D H Fowler  2 Mar 1940 Arrived on posting for duty as Medical Officer, wef 1 Mar 1940
Plt Off J Beaton  4 Mar 1940 Arrived on posting for duty as Equipment Officer
Fg Off R Rose  5 Mar 1940 Arrived on posting from No 2 CFF for duty as Codes and Cypher Officer
Fg Off S M Brown  5 Mar 1940 Arrived on posting from No 2 CFF for duty as Codes and Cypher Officer
Plt Off J Beaton  9 Mar 1940 Equipment Officer, posted to RAF Halton
Plt Off N J Fagan  9 Mar 1940 Arrived on posting for duty as Equipment Officer
Plt Off J A Dixon 18 Mar 1940 Posted to No 1 AAS, RAF Manby
Flt Sgt P O'Dowd 20 Mar 1940 Promoted to Temp WO, wef 18 Mar 1940
Plt Off G Wilson 26 Mar 1940 Posted to No 3 Base Area, RAF Uxbridge
Plt Off W E Hunt 25 Mar 1940 Adjutant, posted to No 145 Sqn for duty as Adjutant
Plt Off J F Blick 25 Mar 1940 Arrived on posting from No 145 Sqn for duty as Adjutant
Plt Off D E D Milsom 29 Mar 1940 Killed in a flying accident
Plt Off P J N Nettleton 29 Mar 1940 Killed in a flying accident
Fg Off D H Fowler  1 Apr 1940 Medical Officer, posted to SHQ, RAF Filton
Plt Off J Beaton  6 Apr 1940 Equipment Officer, posted to 'D' Flight, RAF Old Sarum
Sgt Plt K P Vickery  7 Apr 1940 Killed in a flying accident
Fg Off D H Fowler 12 Apr 1940 Medical Officer, reposted from SHQ, RAF Filton
Fg Off H E Vickery 13 Apr 1940 Arrived on posting from No 3 Sqn, RAF Kenley
Plt Off AC Cochrane 13 Apr 1940 Arrived on posting from No 14 SFTS, RAF Kinloss
Plt Off N J Fagan 17 Apr 1940 Reposted from RAF Filton for duty as Equipment Officer
Fg Off H A Olivier 21 Apr 1940 Arrived on posting
Fg Off E W Cole 21 Apr 1940 Arrived on posting from RAF Filton for Intelligence duties
Plt Off A W Britton 21 Apr 1940 Arrived on posting
Plt Off G B Parnell 21 Apr 1940 Arrived on posting
Plt Off J G Drake 21 Apr 1940 Arrived on posting
Plt Off W J Daniel 22 Apr 1940 Arrived on posting for duty as Codes and Cypher Officer
Fg Off W Riley  3 May 1940 Arrived on posting from No 610 Sqn
Plt Off J L Wilkie  3 May 1940 Arrived on posting from No 266 Sqn
Plt Off J R Meaker  3 May 1940 Arrived on posting from No 46 Sqn
Flt Lt C B Hull  9 May 1940 Arrived on posting from No 43 Sqn
Flt Lt A Williams  9 May 1940 Arrived on posting from No 222 Sqn
Plt Off H F Grant-Ede  9 May 1940 Arrived on posting from No 111 Sqn
Plt Off J Falkson  9 May 1940 Arrived on posting from No 152 Sqn
Plt Off T Oxspring  9 May 1940 Arrived on posting from No 66 Sqn
Sgt Plt D W Mason  9 May 1940 Arrived on posting from No 141 Sqn
Fg Off F W Yate  9 May 1940 Arrived on posting for duty as Codes and Cypher Officer
Plt Off J W McKenzie  9 May 1940 Posted to No 111 Sqn
Plt Off R M Hogg  9 May 1940 Posted to No 152 Sqn
Sgt Plt D Forrest 11 May 1940 Posted to No 66 Sqn, RAF Duxford
Plt Off P Wyatt-Smith 14 May 1940 Admitted to Base Hospital as a result of wounds received on board MV Delius
Lt Lydekker RN 14 May1940 Attached to replace Plt Off Wyatt-Smith
WO H A James 17 May 1940 Killed in an accident
Flt Lt T Rowland 21 May 1940 Departed by air to the UK on posting to No 43 Sqn
Flt Lt R S Mills 21 May 1940 Injured in a flying accident
Plt Off W P Richards 21 May 1940 Killed in a flying accident
Plt Off M A Craig-Adams 22 May 1940 Killed in action
Flt Lt C B Hull 27 May 1940 Admitted to Bodo Hospital after being wounded in action
LAC S Hurley 27 May 1940 Killed in an air raid
LAC R P Jones 27 May 1940 Killed in an air raid
Plt Off J L Wilkie  2 Jun 1940 Killed in action
Sqn Ldr J W Donaldson  8 Jun 1940 Killed in the sinking of HMS Glorious
Flt Lt A Williams  8 Jun 1940 Killed in the sinking of HMS Glorious
Fg Off H E Vickery  8 Jun 1940 Killed in the sinking of HMS Glorious
Plt Off H F Grant-Ede  8 Jun 1940 Killed in the sinking of HMS Glorious
Plt Off L R Jacobsen  8 Jun 1940 Killed in the sinking of HMS Glorious
Plt Off P H Purdy  8 Jun 1940 Killed in the sinking of HMS Glorious
Plt Off S R McNamara  8 Jun 1940 Killed in the sinking of HMS Glorious
Plt Off M A Bentley  8 Jun 1940 Killed in the sinking of HMS Glorious
Plt Off J Falkson  8 Jun 1940 Killed in the sinking of HMS Glorious
Sgt Plt E E Russell  8 Jun 1940 Killed in the sinking of HMS Glorious
Fg Off F W Yate 11 Jun 1940 Codes and Cypher Officer, posted to HQ No 15 Group
Plt Off J G Drake 13 Jun 1940 Posted to No 607 Sqn
Fg Off W O L Smith 20 Jun 1940 Arrived on posting from No 1 RAF Depot
Flt Lt C B Hull 22 Jun 1940 Arrived on posting from No 1 RAF Depot
Plt Off E H Aires 23 Jun 1940 Arrived on posting from No 5 OTU, RAF Aston Down
Plt Off W A A Read 23 Jun 1940 Arrived on posting from No 5 OTU, RAF Aston Down
Plt Off P M Cardell 23 Jun 1940 Arrived on posting from No 5 OTU, RAF Aston Down
Plt Off A R Downer 23 Jun 1940 Arrived on posting from No 5 OTU, RAF Aston Down
Plt Off P G Thornton Brown 23 Jun 1940 Arrived on posting from No 6 OTU, RAF Sutton Bridge
Plt Off R F Ferdinand 23 Jun 1940 Arrived on posting from No 6 OTU, RAF Sutton Bridge
Plt Off H N Hunt 23 Jun 1940 Arrived on posting from No 6 OTU, RAF Sutton Bridge
Plt Off J R Tobin 23 Jun 1940 Arrived on posting from No 6 OTU, RAF Sutton Bridge
Plt Off A O Moffatt 23 Jun 1940 Arrived on posting from No 6 OTU, RAF Sutton Bridge
Sqn Ldr Henry Eeles 24 Jun 1940 Posted from the Air Ministry to assume command of No 263 Sqn
Sqn Ldr Henry Eeles 24 Jun 1940 Attached to No 6 OTU for Hurricane Conversion Course
Plt Off E W Bell 27 Jun 1940 Arrived on posting from No 1 School of Army Co-operation
Fg Off T P Pugh  1 Jul 1940 Arrived on posting from No 1 RAF Depot
Plt Off G B Parnell  1 Jul 1940 Posted to No 607 Sqn
Plt Off E H Aires  3 Jul 1940 Posted to No 602 Sqn
Plt Off P M Cardell  3 Jul 1940 Posted to No 603 Sqn
Plt Off W A A Read  3 Jul 1940 Posted to No 603 Sqn
Fg Off E W Cole  3 Jul 1940 Posted to RAF Pembrey for Intelligence duties
Plt Off F H A Hendry  3 Jul 1940 Arrived on posting from the Air Ministry for Intelligence duties
Fg Off B R Grant  6 Jul 1940 Arrived on posting for duty as Engineer Officer
Sqn Ldr Henry Eeles  7 Jul 1940 Arrived from No 6 OTU and assumed command of No 263 Sqn
Plt Off W J Daniel  8 Jul 1940 Codes and Cypher Officer, posted to RAF Drem
Sgt Plt L Fenemore  9 Jul 1940 Posted to No 219 Sqn
Sub-Lt Bryant 10 Jul 1940 Posted to No 219 Sqn
Flt Lt W Riley 11 Jul 1940 Posted to No 302 Sqn
Plt Off H N Hunt 11 Jul 1940 Posted to No 504 Sqn
Sgt Plt P Watson-Parker 13 Jul 1940 Killed in a flying accident
Flt Lt W O L Smith 15 Jul 1940 Appointed Officer i/c 'C' Flight
Plt Off A R Downer 21 Jul 1940 Died from injuries
Plt Off F H A Hendry 22 Jul 1940 Intelligence Officer, posted to RAF Catterick
Plt Off A H Ormerod 22 Jul 1940 Arrived on posting from RAF Catterick for duty as Intelligence Officer
Plt Off J R Tobin 22 Jul 1940 Posted to the Experimental Section, RAE
Plt Off A O Moffatt 22 Jul 1940 Posted to the Experimental Section, RAE
Plt Off E W Bell 23 Jul 1940 Killed in a flying accident
Plt Off D M Vine  1 Aug 1940 Arrived on posting
Plt Off D Stein  1 Aug 1940 Arrived on posting
Sgt Plt C P Rudland  1 Aug 1940 Arrived on posting
Sqn Ldr J G Munro  8 Aug 1940 Arrived on posting from the Air Ministry as supernumerary
Flt Lt R S Mills 18 Aug 1940 Posted to No 87 Sqn to command
Plt Off D A C Crooks 20 Aug 1940 Arrived on posting from No 226 Sqn
Flt Lt C B Hull 30 Aug 1940 Posted to No 43 Sqn to command
Plt Off I F McDermott  8 Sep 1940 Posted to CFS, RAF Upavon for Instructors' Course
Fg Off T P Pugh 16 Sep 1940 Promoted to Flt Lt
Plt Off K A G Graham 14 Oct 1940 Arrived on posting from No 600 Sqn
Fg Off A W N Britton 12 Dec 1940 Killed in a flying accident
Plt Off P Wyatt-Smith 15 Dec 1940 Departed on posting overseas
Plt Off J F Blick 15 Dec 1940 Adjutant, posted to RAF Grangemouth
Sqn Ldr Henry Eeles 16 Dec 1940 Relinquished command of No 263 Sqn on posting to RAF Drem to command
Sqn Ldr J G Munro 16 Dec 1940 Assumed command of No 263 Sqn
Plt Off L R Hiscock 17 Dec 1940 Arrived on posting from No 55 OTU for duty as Adjutant
Fg Off H A Olivier 22 Dec 1940 Proceeded on leave pending posting overseas
Flt Lt W O L Smith 29 Dec 1940 Killed in a flying accident
Plt Off D M Vine 29 Dec 1940 Killed in a flying accident

Source - No 263 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/1547)

Organisational Movements: Jan - Dec 1940

Date Notes
 9 Mar 1940 Reconnaissance party departed RAF Filton for Port 'O' (Leith)
20 Apr 1940 Air party departed RAF Filton for RAF Prestwick via RAF Sealand
21 Apr 1940 Air party embarked on HMS Glorious
21 Apr 1940 MT party departed RAF Filton for Leith
24 Apr 1940 Air party took off from HMS Glorious for Lake Lesjeskog
25 Apr 1940 Air party moved from Lake Lesjeskog to Aandalsnes
25 Apr 1940 Main party departed RAF Filton for Edinburgh by rail
26 Apr 1940 Main party arrived at Leith and embarked on the SS Ulster Monarch
28 Apr 1940 Air party, less aircraft, embarked on MV Delius
28 Apr 1940 Personnel disembarked from SS Ulster Monarch at Scapa Flow
29 Apr 1940 MV Delius set sail for Scapa Flow
29 Apr 1940 Personnel embarked at Scapa Flow on SS Orion
 1 May 1940 SS Orion set sail for an undisclosed destination
 1 May 1940 Air party arrived at Scapa Flow on MV Delius, proceeded to Thurso and entrained for London
 2 May 1940 SS Orion anchored in Firth of Forth
 2 May 1940 Air party arrived in London
 3 May 1940 Main party disembarked SS Orion and proceeded to RAF Turnhouse
 3 May 1940 Air party attached to RAF Northolt
 3 May 1940 12 x new Gladiators were received at RAF Turnhouse for re-equipment
 7 May 1940 Advance party departed RAF Turnhouse for Leith and embarked on SS Chrobry and set sail
11 May 1940 Advance party disembarked from SS Chrobry at Harstadt and conveyed to Sjoveien
12 May 1940 Main party departed RAF Turnhouse for Glasgow embarked on SS Sobiesti and set sail for Norway
12 May 1940 Air party embarked on HMS Furious at Greenock
14 May 1940 HMS Furious set sail
18 May 1940 Main party disembarked from SS Sobiesti at Harstadt and conveyed to Sorreisa and then to Skole
20 May 1940 Advance and Main parties moved to Bardufoss
21 May 1940 Rear party embarked at Glasgow on SS Monarch of Bermuda
21 May 1940 Air party flew off HMS Furious for Bardufoss
22 May 1940 Rear party set sail on SS Monarch of Bermuda but anchored off Gourock
26 May 1940 Rear party disembarked from SS Monarch of Bermuda at Gourock and returned to RAF Turnhouse
 6 Jun 1940 1st Ground party departed Norway for the UK
 7 Jun 1940 2nd Ground party departed Norway for the UK
 7 Jun 1940 Air party departed Norway for the UK on board HMS Glorious
 8 Jun 1940 HMS Glorious was sunk by German battlecruisers
 9 Jun 1940 3rd Ground party departed Norway for the UK
12 Jun 1940 Ground party (part) arrived at RAF Drem
13 Jun 1940 Ground party (part) arrived at RAF Drem
28 Jun 1940 Squadron moved from RAF Drem to RAF Grangemouth
xx Jun 1940 Squadron received Hawker Hurricanes, pending re-equipment with Westland Whirlwinds
Hurricane I of No 263 Squadron
 6 Jul 1940 First Westland Whirlwind (prototype) was delivered by Sqn Ldr H Eeles
Whirlwind I of No 263 Squadron (Temperate Land Scheme)
15 Jul 1940 'C' Flight was formed to develop the use of Whirlwinds
19 Jul 1940 2 x Whirlwinds delivered from the manufacturers at Yeovil
xx Aug 1940 'C' Flight was disbanded, with 'A' Flight taking over the Whirlwinds and 'B' Flight continued to operate Hurricanes
 2 Sep 1940 Squadron moved from RAF Grangemouth to RAF Drem
 2 Sep 1940 2 x Whirlwinds were delivered
 8 Oct 1940 1 x Whirlwind was delivered
22 Oct 1940 1 x Whirlwind was delivered
xx Oct 1940 Prototype Whirlwind was returned to the manufacturers
 8 Nov 1940 'B' Flight detached to MacMerry
 8 Nov 1940 2 x Whirlwinds were delivered
11 Nov 1940 1 x Whirlwind was delivered
12 Nov 1940 'B' Flight detached to RAF Prestwick
28 Nov 1940 10 x Whirlwinds departed RAF Drem for RAF Exeter
 7 Dec 1940 'A' Flight became operational at RAF Exeter

Source - No 263 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/1547)

This page was last updated on 17/10/23

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