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Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation
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No 409 (RCAF) Sqn Personnel, aircraft and locations
[1941 | ]
Personnel Movements: Jun - Dec 1941
| Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
| June | |||
| Sqn Ldr | N B Petersen RCAF | 17 Jun 1941 | Appointed to command No 409 Sqn |
| WO | Porter | xx Jun 1941 | Arrived on posting for duty as Acting Engineer Officer |
| Sgt | Cockburn | xx Jun 1941 | Arrived on posting and sent on leave (AG) |
| Sgt | Wrampling | xx Jun 1941 | Arrived on posting and sent on leave (AG) |
| Sgt | Collins | xx Jun 1941 | Arrived on posting and sent on leave (AG) |
| Fg Off | B A Hanbury | 28 Jun 1941 | Posted from No 401 Sqn but detached to No 60 OTU for conversion to Defiants |
| Fg Off | F S Watson RCAF | 28 Jun 1941 | Posted from No 401 Sqn but detached to No 60 OTU for conversion to Defiants |
| Sqn Ldr | N B Petersen RCAF | 29 Jun 1941 | Arrived and proceeded to RAF Wittering for conversion to Defiants |
| July | |||
| Plt Off | E L McMillan | 1 Jul 1941 | Arrived on posting |
| Fg Off | Farnes | 3 Jul 1941 | Arrived on posting for duty as Gunnery Officer |
| Fg Off | R L Markham | 3 Jul 1941 | Arrived on posting for duty as Medical Officer |
| Sqn Ldr | N B Petersen RCAF | 4 Jul 1941 | Returned from RAF Wittering |
| Sgt | McTaggart | 4 Jul 1941 | Arrived on posting (AG) |
| Sgt | Sumpter | 4 Jul 1941 | Arrived on posting (AG) |
| Sgt | Mair | 4 Jul 1941 | Arrived on posting (AG) |
| Plt Off | Head | 5 Jul 1941 | Arrived on posting |
| Plt Off | Thompson | 5 Jul 1941 | Arrived on posting |
| Sgt Plt | Ledwidge | 5 Jul 1941 | Arrived on posting |
| Plt Off | Thompson | 6 Jul 1941 | Arrived on posting for duty as Intelligence Officer |
| Fg Off | B A Hanbury | 11 Jul 1941 | Returned from No 60 OTU and assumed command of 'A' Flight |
| Fg Off | F S Watson RCAF | 11 Jul 1941 | Returned from No 60 OTU and assumed command of 'B' Flight |
| Sqn Ldr | N B Petersen RCAF | 18 Jul 1941 | Promoted to Wg Cdr |
| Sgt Plt | Butcher | 18 Jul 1941 | Arrived on posting |
| Sgt Plt | Bumstead | 18 Jul 1941 | Arrived on posting |
| Sgt Plt | Green | 18 Jul 1941 | Arrived on posting |
| Sgt | McKinnon | 18 Jul 1941 | Arrived on posting (AG) |
| Sgt | White | 18 Jul 1941 | Arrived on posting (AG) |
| Sgt | Penrose | 18 Jul 1941 | Arrived on posting (AG) |
| Sgt Plt | Murray RCAF | 20 Jul 1941 | Arrived on posting |
| Sgt Plt | Barhr RCAF | 20 Jul 1941 | Arrived on posting |
| Plt Off | T Molloy | 21 Jul 1941 | Arrived on posting for duty as Adjutant |
| Plt Off | E Fenwick | 21 Jul 1941 | Arrived on posting |
| Sgt Plt | Dean | 21 Jul 1941 | Arrived on posting |
| Sqn Ldr | G E Rolleston | 26 Jul 1941 | Assumed duties of Camp Commandant, RAF Coleby Grange |
| August | |||
| Sgt | Marks RCAF | 6 Aug 1941 | Arrived on posting (AG) |
| Sgt | Thornley RCAF | 6 Aug 1941 | Arrived on posting (AG) |
| Cpl | Williamson | 8 Aug 1941 | Fitter, promoted to Sgt, wef 15 May 1941 |
| Plt Off | Barrass | 9 Aug 1941 | Arrived on posting for duty as Squadron Engineering Officer |
| Sgt | Clark | 9 Aug 1941 | Arrived on posting (AG) |
| Sgt | Hare | 9 Aug 1941 | Arrived on posting (AG) |
| Sgt Plt | Brooks RCAF | 11 Aug 1941 | Arrived on posting |
| Sgt Plt | McDonald RCAF | 11 Aug 1941 | Arrived on posting |
| Plt Off | A N Slater | 14 Aug 1941 | Arrived on posting for duty as Squadron Signals Officer |
| WO | Porter | 14 Aug 1941 | Acting Engineer Officer, posted to RAF Baginton |
| Sgt | Copley RCAF | 16 Aug 1941 | Arrived on posting (AG) |
| Sgt | Cole RCAF | 16 Aug 1941 | Arrived on posting (AG), but unfit for flying duties |
| Flt Lt | J F Meakins RCAF | 22 Aug 1941 | Arrived on posting for duty as Medical Officer |
| Plt Off | Murchie | 26 Aug 1941 | Arrived on posting |
| Plt Off | Franklin | 26 Aug 1941 | Arrived on posting |
| Sgt Plt | Argument | 26 Aug 1941 | Arrived on posting |
| Sgt Plt | Diggins | 26 Aug 1941 | Arrived on posting |
| Sgt Plt | Mitchell | 26 Aug 1941 | Arrived on posting |
| Sgt | Ingram | 28 Aug 1941 | Arrived on posting (AG) |
| Sgt | Marsh | 28 Aug 1941 | Arrived on posting (AG) |
| Fg Off | Wiltshear DFC | 29 Aug 1941 | Arrived on posting (AG) |
| September | |||
| Plt Off | McMillan | 1 Sep 1941 | Proceeded to RAF Cranfield for Blenheim Conversion Course (pre Beaufighter) |
| Sgt Plt | Street | 1 Sep 1941 | Proceeded to RAF Cranfield for Blenheim Conversion Course (pre Beaufighter) |
| Sqn Ldr | N B Petersen RCAF | 2 Sep 1941 | Killed in a flying accident |
| Plt Off | A N Slater | 2 Sep 1941 | Killed in a flying accident |
| Flt Lt | B A Hanbury | 3 Sep 1941 | Assumed temporary command of No 409 Sqn |
| Sqn Ldr | P Y Davoud | 6 Sep 1941 | Arrived on posting and assumed command of No 409 Sqn |
| Plt Off | Coombs | 8 Sep 1941 | Attached from No 51 OTU to assist with conversion to Beaufighters |
| Sqn Ldr | P Y Davoud | 9 Sep 1941 | Promoted to Wg Cdr |
| Flt Lt | B A Hanbury | 9 Sep 1941 | Promoted to Sqn Ldr |
| Plt Off | R G R Sykes | 13 Sep 1941 | Arrived on posting for duty as Squadron Signals Officer |
| Plt Off | McMillan | 13 Sep 1941 | Returned from RAF Cranfield |
| Sgt Plt | Street | 13 Sep 1941 | Returned from RAF Cranfield |
| Flt Lt | R M Mackenzie | 15 Sep 1941 | Arrived on posting from No 141 Sqn |
| Fg Off | M M Smith RCAF | 19 Sep 1941 | Arrived on posting to double as Engineer Officer |
| Plt Off | Thompson | 21 Sep 1941 | Attached to RAF Watchfield for BAT Course |
| Sgt Plt | Robb | 21 Sep 1941 | Attached to RAF Watchfield for BAT Course |
| Plt Off | Franklin | 24 Sep 1941 | Posted to No 1451 Flight |
| Sgt Plt | Bumstead | 24 Sep 1941 | Posted to No 1451 Flight |
| Sgt Plt | Argument | 24 Sep 1941 | Posted to No 1451 Flight |
| Sgt Plt | Diggins | 24 Sep 1941 | Posted to No 1451 Flight |
| Flt Lt | C G Durham RCAF | 25 Sep 1941 | Arrived on posting to double as Adjutant |
| Fg Off | R L Markham | 27 Sep 1941 | Medical Officer, departed on posting to the Middle East |
| Fg Off | Pynn RCAF | 27 Sep 1941 | Arrived on posting for duty as Signals (Radio) Officer |
| October | |||
| Plt Off | Thompson | 4 Oct 1941 | Ceased to be attached to RAF Watchfield for BAT Course |
| Flt Lt | J F Meakins RCAF | 7 Oct 1941 | Medical Officer, promoted to Sqn Ldr |
| Sqn Ldr | Trousdale DFC | 8 Oct 1941 | Arrived on posting from HQ No 12 Group and assumed command of 'B' Flight |
| Flt Lt | Blackler | 9 Oct 1941 | Arrived on attachment to assist with installation of Special Equipment |
| Fg Off | F S Watson RCAF | 11 Oct 1941 | Killed in a flying accident |
| Plt Off | R G R Sykes | 11 Oct 1941 | Signals Officer, attached to RAF Yatesbury for Signals Course |
| Plt Off | Baker | 13 Oct 1941 | Intelligence Officer, posted to No 44 Group pending posting overseas |
| Flt Lt | Massey | 15 Oct 1941 | Arrived on attachment pending posting for duty as Intelligence Officer |
| Flt Lt | Vallance | 17 Oct 1941 | Arrived on attachment for Twin Engine aircraft instruction |
| Fg Off | M M Smith RCAF | 18 Oct 1941 | Engineer Officer, proceeded to Bristol Aircraft Co for course |
| November | |||
| Plt Off | R Lammer | 1 Nov 1941 | Arrived on posting from No 141 Sqn (Radio Obs) |
| Plt Off | J M Pearson | 3 Nov 1941 | Arrived on posting from No 3 Radio School (Radio Obs) |
| Sqn Ldr | Trousdale DFC | 5 Nov 1941 | Attached to No 219 for temporary duty |
| Sqn Ldr | C M Wight-Boycott | 5 Nov 1941 | Attached from No 219 Sqn and assumed command of 'B' Flight |
| Plt Off | T Molloy | 8 Nov 1941 | Adjutant, returned from School of Administration, Stannington |
| Plt Off | T Molloy | 12 Nov 1941 | Adjutant, posted to RAF Hutton Cranswick |
| Sqn Ldr | Trousdale DFC | 14 Nov 1941 | Attached to No 219 for temporary duty |
| Sqn Ldr | C M Wight-Boycott | 14 Nov 1941 | Attached from No 219 Sqn and assumed command of 'B' Flight |
| Flt Lt | L K Scott | 15 Nov 1941 | Arrived on posting for duty as Adjutant |
| Fg Off | M M Smith RCAF | 15 Nov 1941 | Engineer Officer, proceeded to Rolls Royce Ltd for course |
| Plt Off | W Woodward | 17 Nov 1941 | Arrived on posting from No 54 OTU |
| Plt Off | R H Hedger | 17 Nov 1941 | Arrived on posting from No 54 OTU |
| Plt Off | W M Taylor | 25 Nov 1941 | Arrived on posting |
| Fg Off | M M Smith RCAF | 30 Nov 1941 | Engineer Officer, returned from Rolls Royce Ltd |
| December | |||
| Sgt | D N Dixon | 2 Dec 1941 | Appointed to a commission in the rank of Plt Off |
| Sgt | T R Carpenter | 2 Dec 1941 | Appointed to a commission in the rank of Plt Off |
| Sgt | R L T Robb | 2 Dec 1941 | Appointed to a commission in the rank of Plt Off |
| Sgt | P C W Sage | 2 Dec 1941 | Appointed to a commission in the rank of Plt Off |
| Sgt | A L Sutton | 4 Dec 1941 | Appointed to a commission in the rank of Plt Off |
| Sgt | B A Thornley | 4 Dec 1941 | Appointed to a commission in the rank of Plt Off |
| Sgt | C Eneny | 5 Dec 1941 | Appointed to a commission in the rank of Plt Off |
| Sqn Ldr | C J Fee | 6 Dec 1941 | Attached for temporary duty (1 week) |
| Sqn Ldr | K L B Hodson | 6 Dec 1941 | Attached for temporary duty (1 week) |
| Plt Off | E L McMillan | 8 Dec 1941 | Attached to RAF Watchfield for BAT Course |
| Plt Off | L W Barnett | 9 Dec 1941 | Proceeded on leave prior to posting to RAF Digby |
| Plt Off | R A Symonds | 9 Dec 1941 | Arrived on posting for duty as Intelligence Officer |
| Plt Off | R H Hedger | 29 Dec 1941 | Attached to RAF Watchfield for BAT Course |
Source - No 409 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/1800)
Organisational Movements: Jun - Dec 1941
| Date | Notes |
| June | |
| 17 Jun 1941 | No 409 Squadron was formed at RAF Digby |
| July | |
| 6 Jul 1941 | 4 x Defiants were delivered by ATA pilots |
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| 11 Jul 1941 | Remainder of aircraft were delivered, bringing total to 18 |
| 25 Jul 1941 | Stores and equipment were moved from RAF Digby to RAF Coleby Grange by road |
| 26 Jul 1941 | Personnel were moved from RAF Digby to RAF Coleby Grange by road |
| 27 Jul 1941 | The aircraft were flown from RAF Digby to RAF Coleby Grange |
| August | |
| 3 Aug 1941 | First official operational flight was undertaken |
| 12 Aug 1941 | A small party of personnel visited the Boulton-Paul factory |
| 17 Aug 1941 | 1 x Magister was delivered for communications duties |
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| 20 Aug 1941 | The squadron was declared fully operational |
| 21 Aug 1941 | 1 x Oxford was received for instruction on 'twins' |
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| 22 Aug 1941 | 6 x Radio Observers arrived on posting |
| 23 Aug 1941 | Instruction on the Oxford commenced |
| 28 Aug 1941 | 1 x Beaufighter IIF was delivered |
 |
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| 29 Aug 1941 | 2 x Beaufighter IIFs were delivered |
| 30 Aug 1941 | 2 x Beaufighter IIFs were delivered |
| September | |
| 1 Sep 1941 | 3 x Beaufighter IIFs were delivered |
| 2 Sep 1941 | 3 x Beaufighter IIFs were delivered |
| 4 Sep 1941 | 1 x Beaufighter IIF was delivered |
| 7 Sep 1941 | 3 x Beaufighter IIFs were delivered |
| 10 Sep 1941 | 1 x Oxford was received |
| 11 Sep 1941 | 2 x Beaufighter IIFs were delivered |
| 15 Sep 1941 | Squadron became non-operational in order to convert from Defiants to Beaufighters |
| 17 Sep 1941 | 1 x Blenheim I (Dual) was received on loan from RAF Wittering to assist with conversion training |
 |
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| 27 Sep 1941 | 1 x Blenheim was collected from RAF Hibaldstow (total on strength now 5) |
| October | |
| 8 Oct 1941 | 8 x RCAF personnel arrived on posting |
| 10 Oct 1941 | 5 x Sgt AI Operators arrived on posting |
| 14 Oct 1941 | 5 x Sgt Air Gunners posted to No 410 Sqn |
| November | |
| 16 Nov 1941 | The squadron was declared partially operational |
| 29 Nov 1941 | The squadron was declared fully operational on Beaufighters |
| December | |
| 9 Dec 1941 | 5 x crews of 'A' Flight proceeded to RAF Sutton Bridge for air firing practice |
| 16 Dec 1941 | 'B' Flight proceeded to RAF Sutton Bridge for air firing practice |
| 24 Dec 1941 | 3 x aircraft of 'B' Flight proceeded to RAF Sutton Bridge for air firing practice |
| 27 Dec 1941 | 'A' Flight proceeded to RAF Sutton Bridge for air firing practice |
Source - No 409 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/1800)
This entry was last updated on 28/08/25
