|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
No 266 Sqn Personnel, aircraft and locations
Personnel Movements: Oct - Dec 1939
| Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
| Sqn Ldr | J W A Hunnard | 30 Oct 1939 | Arrived on posting from RAF Hucknall and assumed command of No 266 Sqn |
| Act Flt Lt | I R Gleed | 7 Nov 1939 | Arrived on posting from No 46 Sqn for duty as Flight Commander |
| Act Flt Lt | J B Coward | 11 Nov 1939 | Arrived on posting from No 19 Sqn for duty as Flight Commander |
| LAC | B Walker | 13 Nov 1939 | Admitted to SSQ after being injure in an airscrew accident |
| Plt Off | S W Cobb | 20 Nov 1939 | Assumed duties of Adjutant |
| Plt Off | J W B Stevenson | 27 Nov 1939 | Attached to RAF Northolt for Air Firing Instructors' Course |
| LAC | B Walker | 30 Nov 1939 | Discharged from SSQ and sent on sick leave |
| Plt Off | C A G Clark | 10 Dec 1939 | Arrived on posting from No 8 SFTS, RAF Montrose |
| Plt Off | P H G Mitchell | 10 Dec 1939 | Arrived on posting from No 8 SFTS, RAF Montrose |
| Plt Off | R J B Roach | 10 Dec 1939 | Arrived on posting from No 8 SFTS, RAF Montrose |
| Fg Off | N W Burnett | 16 Dec 1939 | Arrived on posting from No 5 SFTS, RAF Sealand |
| Plt Off | D G Ashton | 16 Dec 1939 | Arrived on posting from No 2 SFTS, RAF Brize Norton |
| Plt Off | D L Armitage | 16 Dec 1939 | Arrived on posting from No 2 SFTS, RAF Brize Norton |
| Plt Off | E G Barwell | 16 Dec 1939 | Arrived on posting from No 2 SFTS, RAF Brize Norton |
| Sgt Plt | R G V Barraclough | 16 Dec 1939 | Arrived on posting from No 2 SFTS, RAF Brize Norton |
| Plt Off | E G Barwell | 31 Dec 1939 | Posted to No 12 Group Pool, RAF Aston Down |
Source - No 266 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/1558)
Organisational Movements: Oct - Dec 1939
| Date | Notes |
| 30 Oct 1939 | Squadron was formed at RAF Sutton Bridge to be equipped with Bristol Blenheims |
| 6 Nov 1939 | 14 x Officer pilots and 4 x Airmen pilots reported for duty direct from various SFTS |
| 11 Nov 1939 | 3 x Miles Magisters collected from No 10 MU, RAF Hullavington |
 |
|
| 18 Nov 1939 | Squadron advised it would be equipped with Fairey Battles rather than Blenheims |
| 25 Nov 1939 | 3 x Plt Off posted to No 222 Sqn, RAF Duxford |
| 25 Nov 1939 | 3 x Plt Off and 2 Airman Plts posted to No 229 Sqn, RAF Digby |
| 27 Nov 1939 | 7 x Air Gunners proceeded to No 10 AOS, RAF Warmwell for Air Gunnery Course |
| 27 Nov 1939 | 4 x Air Gunners proceeded to No 9 AOS, RAF Penrhos for Air Gunnery Course |
| 4 Dec 1939 | 3 x Battles, L5348, L5350 and L5374, collected from No 24 MU, RAF Ternhill |
 |
|
| 9 Dec 1939 | 3 x Battles, P5244, L5343 and L5365, delivered by No 1 Ferry Pool |
| 10 Dec 1939 | 5 x Battles, L5442, L5375, P5369, P5368 and P5248, collected from No 24 MU, RAF Ternhill |
| 19 Dec 1939 | 3 x Battles collected from No 24 MU, RAF Ternhill |
Source - No 266 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/1558)
Personnel Movements: Jan - Dec 1940
| Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
| Plt Off | S A C Sibley | 6 Jan 1940 | Arrived on posting from RAF Cranwell |
| Plt Off | T A Vigors | 6 Jan 1940 | Arrived on posting from RAF Cranwell |
| Sgt | R T Kidman | 6 Jan 1940 | Arrived on posting from No 12 SFTS |
| Sgt | Land | 6 Jan 1940 | Arrived on posting from No 12 SFTS |
| Plt Off | S A C Sibley | 17 Jan 1940 | Posted to No 12 Group Pool |
| Plt Off | T A Vigors | 17 Jan 1940 | Posted to No 12 Group Pool |
| Sgt | Land | 17 Jan 1940 | Posted to No 12 Group Pool |
| Act Flt Lt | I R Gleed | 18 Feb 1940 | Slightly injured after baling out of Spitfire I, N3120 and reported sick |
| Act Flt Lt | S H Bazley | 29 Feb 1940 | Arrived on posting from No 611 Sqn for duty as Flight Commander |
| Plt Off | H H Chalder | 15 Apr 1940 | Arrived on posting from No 66 Sqn, RAF Duxford |
| Fg Off | I R Gleed | 21 Apr 1940 | Returned from sick leave |
| Plt Off | L S Gunning | 22 Apr 1940 | Arrived on posting |
| Plt Off | J L Wilkie | 26 Apr 1940 | Posted to No 10 MU, RAF Hullavington |
| Plt Off | L S Gunning | 26 Apr 1940 | Posted to No 10 MU, RAF Hullavington |
| Plt Off | N P W Hancock | 11 May 1940 | Posted to No 1 Sqn |
| Fg Off | I R Gleed | 14 May 1940 | Posted to No 87 Sqn for duty as Flight Commander |
| Plt Off | J W B Stevenson | 2 Jun 1940 | Killed in action |
| Sgt | R T Kidman | 2 Jun 1940 | Killed in action |
| Sgt | R H Gretton | 12 Jun 1940 | Arrived on posting from No 5 OTU, RAF Aston Down |
| Sgt | F B Hawley | 12 Jun 1940 | Arrived on posting from No 5 OTU, RAF Aston Down |
| Sgt | D E Kingaby | 23 Jun 1940 | Arrived on posting from No 5 OTU, RAF Aston Down |
| Plt Off | C A G Clark | 24 Jun 1940 | Posted to Fighter Interception Unit |
| Act Flt Lt | J B Coward | 27 Jun 1940 | Posted to No 19 Sqn for duty as Flight Commander |
| Plt Off | J F Soden | 27 Jun 1940 | Arrived on posting from No 5 OTU, RAF Aston Down |
| Sqn Ldr | R L Wilkinson | 29 Jun 1940 | Arrived on posting from No 5 OTU, pending assuming command of No 266 Sqn |
| Sub-Lt RNVR | H C Greenshields | 1 Jul 1940 | Arrived on posting from No 7 OTU, RAF Hawarden |
| Sgt | H W Ayre | 1 Jul 1940 | Arrived on posting from No 7 OTU, RAF Hawarden |
| Flt Lt | D W Balden | 4 Jul 1940 | Arrived on posting from No 5 SFTS, RAF Sealand |
| Sqn Ldr | J W A Hunnard | 6 Jul 1940 | Relinquished command of No 266 Sqn on posting to HQ No 12 Group |
| Sqn Ldr | R L Wilkinson | 6 Jul 1940 | Assumed command of No 266 Sqn |
| Flt Lt | D W Balden | 17 Jul 1940 | Posted to No 1 RAF Depot for temporary duty with No 418 Flight |
| Sgt | H W Ayre | 17 Jul 1940 | Posted to No 1 RAF Depot for temporary duty with No 418 Flight |
| Sqn Ldr | D G H Spencer | 25 Jul 1940 | Arrived on attachment from RAF Kirton-in-Lindsey |
| Plt Off | H M T Heron | 27 Jul 1940 | Attached to RAF St Athan for Fighter Navigation Instructors Course |
| Fg Off | N W Burnett | 1 Aug 1940 | Posted to No 46 Sqn for duty as Flight Commander |
| Flt Lt | D W Balden | 3 Aug 1940 | Ceased to be attached to No 418 Flight on posting to No 261 Sqn |
| Sgt | H W Ayre | 3 Aug 1940 | Ceased to be attached to No 418 Flight on posting to No 261 Sqn |
| Plt Off | D L Armitage | 3 Aug 1940 | Promoted to Act Flt Lt and assumed command of 'A' Flight |
| Plt Off | D G Ashton | 12 Aug 1940 | Killed in action |
| AC1 | J B Brawley | 13 Aug 1940 | Killed in an air raid |
| AC2 | E Crossley | 13 Aug 1940 | Died from injuries |
| Sgt | F B Hawley | 15 Aug 1940 | Killed in action |
| Plt Off | F W Cale | 15 Aug 1940 | Killed in action |
| Sqn Ldr | R L Wilkinson | 16 Aug 1940 | Killed in action |
| Sub-Lt RNVR | H C Greenshields | 16 Aug 1940 | Killed in action |
| Plt Off | N G Bowen | 16 Aug 1940 | Killed in action |
| Act Flt Lt | S H Bazley | 16 Aug 1940 | Admitted to hospital with burns after baling out |
| Sqn Ldr | D G H Spencer | 17 Aug 1940 | Assumed command of No 266 Sqn |
| Plt Off | C Logan | 20 Aug 1940 | Arrived on posting from No 12 Sqn |
| Fg Off | E H Thomas | 24 Aug 1940 | Arrived on posting from No 19 Sqn |
| Flt Sgt | C Sydney | 24 Aug 1940 | Arrived on posting from No 19 Sqn |
| Plt Off | W A Middleton | 26 Aug 1940 | Arrived on posting from No 7 OTU, RAF Hawarden |
| Plt Off | H D Pool | 26 Aug 1940 | Arrived on posting from No 7 OTU, RAF Hawarden |
| Plt Off | J G Pattison | 26 Aug 1940 | Arrived on posting from No 7 OTU, RAF Hawarden |
| Plt Off | R H Thomas | 26 Aug 1940 | Arrived on posting from No 7 OTU, RAF Hawarden |
| Plt Off | E P Wells | 26 Aug 1940 | Arrived on posting from No 7 OTU, RAF Hawarden |
| Sgt | H Cook | 26 Aug 1940 | Arrived on posting from No 7 OTU, RAF Hawarden |
| Sgt | W Ellis | 26 Aug 1940 | Arrived on posting from No 7 OTU, RAF Hawarden |
| Plt Off | J C R Clarke | 27 Aug 1940 | Arrived on posting from No 7 OTU, RAF Hawarden |
| Plt Off | T D Davey | 28 Aug 1940 | Arrived on posting from No 12 Sqn |
| Plt Off | G M Hayton | 28 Aug 1940 | Arrived on posting from No 12 Sqn |
| Plt Off | R H Thomas | 28 Aug 1940 | Posted to No 66 Sqn |
| Sqn Ldr | D G H Spencer | 10 Sep 1940 | Relinquished command of No 266 Sqn on posting to No 257 Sqn |
| Fg Off | E H Thomas | 10 Sep 1940 | Posted to No 222 Sqn |
| Sgt | R H Gretton | 10 Sep 1940 | Posted to No 222 Sqn |
| Plt Off | H M T Heron | 11 Sep 1940 | Posted to No 92 Sqn |
| Plt Off | J G Pattison | 11 Sep 1940 | Posted to No 92 Sqn |
| Sgt | H Cook | 11 Sep 1940 | Posted to No 92 Sqn |
| Sqn Ldr | H W Mermagen | 12 Sep 1940 | Assumed temporary command of No 266 Sqn |
| Plt Off | W Jones | 13 Sep 1940 | Posted to No 602 Sqn |
| Sgt | A W Eade | 13 Sep 1940 | Posted to No 602 Sqn |
| Plt Off | J F Soden | 14 Sep 1940 | Posted to No 603 Sqn |
| Plt Off | H H Chalder | 15 Sep 1940 | Posted to No 41 Sqn |
| Plt Off | A H Humphrey | 16 Sep 1940 | Arrived on posting from No 7 OTU, RAF Hawarden |
| Plt Off | H A R Prowse | 16 Sep 1940 | Arrived on posting from No 7 OTU, RAF Hawarden |
| Sgt | L O Allton | 16 Sep 1940 | Arrived on posting from No 7 OTU, RAF Hawarden |
| Sgt | R A Boswell | 16 Sep 1940 | Arrived on posting from No 7 OTU, RAF Hawarden |
| Sgt | A N MacGregor | 16 Sep 1940 | Arrived on posting from No 7 OTU, RAF Hawarden |
| Sgt | R A Breeze | 16 Sep 1940 | Arrived on posting from No 7 OTU, RAF Hawarden |
| Sgt | J T Dunmore | 16 Sep 1940 | Arrived on posting from No 7 OTU, RAF Hawarden |
| Sqn Ldr | H W Mermagen | 17 Sep 1940 | Relinquished temporary command of No 266 Sqn |
| Sqn Ldr | Patrick G Jameson | 17 Sep 1940 | Arrived on posting and assumed command of No 266 Sqn |
| Sgt | K C Pattison | 23 Sep 1940 | Arrived on posting from No 7 OTU, RAF Hawarden |
| Sgt | J A Scott | 23 Sep 1940 | Arrived on posting from No 7 OTU, RAF Hawarden |
| Sgt | W Sadler | 24 Sep 1940 | Arrived on posting from No 92 Sqn |
| Sgt | D E Kingaby | 25 Sep 1940 | Posted to No 92 Sqn |
| Sgt | K C Pattison | 26 Sep 1940 | Posted to No 611 Sqn |
| Sgt | J A Scott | 26 Sep 1940 | Posted to No 611 Sqn |
| Sgt | W Sadler | 26 Sep 1940 | Posted to No 611 Sqn |
| Plt Off | T D Davey | 28 Sep 1940 | Posted to No 72 Sqn |
| Sgt | R A Boswell | 28 Sep 1940 | Posted to No 19 Sqn |
| Sgt | A N MacGregor | 28 Sep 1940 | Posted to No 19 Sqn |
| Plt Off | M K Hill | 28 Sep 1940 | Arrived on posting from No 7 OTU, RAF Hawarden |
| Plt Off | R C Gostling | 29 Sep 1940 | Arrived on posting from No 7 OTU, RAF Hawarden |
| Sgt | G A Ford | 29 Sep 1940 | Arrived on posting from No 7 OTU, RAF Hawarden |
| Sgt | T A Cooper | 30 Sep 1940 | Arrived on posting from No 7 OTU, RAF Hawarden |
| Sgt | M A Beatty | 30 Sep 1940 | Arrived on posting from No 7 OTU, RAF Hawarden |
| Sgt | S A Goodwin | 30 Sep 1940 | Arrived on posting from No 7 OTU, RAF Hawarden |
| Sgt | L O Allton | 30 Sep 1940 | Posted to No 92 Sqn |
| Sgt | R A Breeze | 1 Oct 1940 | Posted to No 222 Sqn |
| Sgt | J T Dunmore | 1 Oct 1940 | Posted to No 222 Sqn |
| Plt Off | E P Wells | 2 Oct 1940 | Posted to No 41 Sqn |
| Plt Off | H D Pool | 3 Oct 1940 | Posted to RAF Biggin Hill |
| Sgt | Terry | 3 Oct 1940 | Posted to RAF Biggin Hill |
| Plt Off | B E Tucker | 7 Oct 1940 | Arrived on posting |
| Sgt | J W Allen | 7 Oct 1940 | Arrived on posting |
| Sgt | E A King | 7 Oct 1940 | Arrived on posting |
| Sgt | S F Tomalin | 7 Oct 1940 | Arrived on posting |
| Sgt | S A Goodwin | 14 Oct 1940 | Posted to No 66 Sqn |
| Sgt | C E Ody | 14 Oct 1940 | Arrived on posting from No 7 OTU, RAF Hawarden |
| Sgt | R J Thoburn | 14 Oct 1940 | Arrived on posting from No 7 OTU, RAF Hawarden |
| Sgt | D W Thomas | 14 Oct 1940 | Arrived on posting from No 7 OTU, RAF Hawarden |
| Plt Off | H A R Prowse | 20 Oct 1940 | Posted to No 603 Sqn |
| Plt Off | W S Williams | 21 Oct 1940 | Killed in a flying accident |
| Sgt | F W Morse | 22 Oct 1940 | Arrived on posting from No 56 Sqn |
| Plt Off | B E Tucker | 25 Oct 1940 | Posted to No 66 Sqn |
| Plt Off | G M Hayton | 26 Oct 1940 | Posted to No 66 Sqn |
| Plt Off | C Logan | 4 Nov 1940 | Posted to No 222 Sqn |
| Plt Off | H E Penketh | 8 Nov 1940 | Arrived on posting from No 611 Sqn |
| Sgt | R F Lewis | 21 Nov 1940 | Posted to No 7 OTU for further training |
| Plt Off | H E Penketh | 22 Nov 1940 | Killed in a flying accident |
| Plt Off | R M Trousdale | 23 Nov 1940 | Posted to No 225 Sqn for duty as Flight Commander |
| Sgt | J W Allen | 27 Nov 1940 | Posted to No 64 Sqn |
| Sgt | T A Cooper | 27 Nov 1940 | Posted to No 64 Sqn |
| Sgt | E A King | 27 Nov 1940 | Posted to No 602 Sqn |
| Sgt | S F Tomalin | 27 Nov 1940 | Posted to No 602 Sqn |
Source - No 266 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/1558)
Organisational Movements: Jan - Dec 1940
| Date | Notes |
| 10 Jan 1940 | Squadron advised that it would re-equip with Spitfires |
| 18 Jan 1940 | 2 x Battles collected from No 6 MU, RAF Brize Norton |
| 19 Jan 1940 | 3 x Spitfire Is collected from No 6 MU, RAF Brize Norton |
 |
|
| 20 Jan 1940 | 1 x Spitfire I collected from No 6 MU, RAF Brize Norton |
| 9 Feb 1940 | 1 x Battle collected by No 245 Sqn |
| 10 Feb 1940 | 1 x Battle collected by No 245 Sqn |
| 12 Feb 1940 | 4 x Spitfire Is collected from No 8 MU, RAF Little Rissington |
| 14 Feb 1940 | 4 x Spitfire Is collected from No 8 MU, RAF Little Rissington |
| 14 Feb 1940 | 1 x Battle collected by, and 3 x Battles delivered to No 245 Sqn |
| 15 Feb 1940 | 3 x Spitfire Is collected from No 27 MU, RAF Shawbury |
| 16 Feb 1940 | 4 x Spitfire Is collected from No 27 MU, RAF Shawbury |
| 29 Feb 1940 | Advance party departed RAF Sutton Bridge for RAF Martlesham Heath |
| 1 Mar 1940 | Main party departed RAF Sutton Bridge for RAF Martlesham Heath by road and rail |
| 1 Mar 1940 | Air party departed RAF Sutton Bridge for RAF Martlesham Heath |
| 11 Mar 1940 | 2 x Spitfire Is collected from No 24 MU, RAF Ternhill |
| 1 Apr 1940 | 1 x Battle, P5248, collected from No 32 MU, RAF St Athan |
| 6 Apr 1940 | Advance party moved from RAF Martlesham Heath to RAF Wittering by air |
| 7 Apr 1940 | Main party moved from RAF Martlesham Heath to RAF Wittering by air |
| 7 Apr 1940 | 'A' and 'B' Flights moved from RAF Martlesham Heath to RAF Wittering, HQ and Maintenance Flights remained at Martlesham |
| 7 Apr 1940 | Battle, P5248, handed over to Experimental Flight, Martlesham Heath |
| 17 Apr 1940 | Magister, R1838 collected by No 5 OTU, RAF Aston Down |
| 1 May 1940 | 1 x Miles Master, N7685 was delivered from the manufacturers |
 |
|
| 7 May 1940 | Last Battle, L5368, delivered to No 38 MU |
| 14 May 1940 | HQ and Maintenance Flights moved from RAF Martlesham Heath to RAF Wittering |
| 16 May 1940 | 4 x Spitfire Is collected from No 27 MU, RAF Shawbury |
| 9 Jun 1940 | 3 x Spitfire Is delivered from No 9 MU, RAF Cosford |
| 19 Jun 1940 | Spitfire, L1043 collected from No 610 Sqn |
| 21 Jul 1940 | Spitfire, R6768 delivered by FPP |
| 9 Aug 1940 | Air element moved from RAF Wittering to RAF Tangmere for operational duties under control of Coastal Command |
| 11 Aug 1940 | Advance party departed RAF Wittering for RAF Eastchurch |
| 12 Aug 1940 | Main party departed RAF Wittering for RAF Eastchurch |
| 12 Aug 1940 | Air element moved from RAF Tangmere to RAF Eastchurch |
| 14 Aug 1940 | Squadron moved from RAF Eastchurch to RAF Hornchurch following losses sustained in an air raid |
| 16 Aug 1940 | Spitfire I, X4066, delivered from No 8 MU, RAF Little Rissington |
| 17 Aug 1940 | 9 x Spitfire Is delivered from No 24 MU, RAF Ternhill |
| 17 Aug 1940 | 1 x Spitfire I delivered from Air Stores Unit, Hamble |
| 18 Aug 1940 | 2 x Spitfire Is delivered from No 24 MU, RAF Ternhill |
| 18 Aug 1940 | 5 x Spitfire Is delivered from No 6 MU, RAF Brize Norton |
| 21 Aug 1940 | Air party moved from RAF Hornchurch to RAF Wittering |
| 21 Aug 1940 | Main party moved from RAF Hornchurch to RAF Wittering |
| 23 Aug 1940 | Rear party moved from RAF Hornchurch to RAF Wittering |
| 5 Sep 1940 | 5 x Spitfire IIs delivered by ferry pilots on re-equipment |
 |
|
| 6 Sep 1940 | 13 x Spitfire IIs delivered by ferry pilots on re-equipment |
| 6 Sep 1940 | 5 x Spitfire Is delivered to No 72 Sqn |
| 6 Sep 1940 | 4 x Spitfire Is delivered to No 66 Sqn |
| 7 Sep 1940 | 5 x Spitfire Is delivered to No 616 Sqn |
| 16 Oct 1940 | 14 x Spitfires IIs delivered to No 603 Sqn, RAF Hornchurch in exchange for 14 x Spitfire Is |
| 5 Nov 1940 | 6 x Sgt Pilots arrived on posting from No 7 OTU, RAF Hawarden |
Source - No 266 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/1558)
This page was last updated on 17/10/23
