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Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation
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No 908 (County of Essex) (Balloon) Sqn Personnel and locations
[Jan 1939| Apr 1939 | May 1939]
Auxiliary Air Force personnel shown in italics.
Personnel Movements: May - Dec 1938
| Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
| The ORB only begins on 19 Jan 1939, the following being taken from January 1939 Air Force List and London Gazette | |||
| Capt | P L Dyson-Skinner | 12 Jul 1938 | Appointed to a commission in the AAF in the rank of Sqn Ldr, wef 5 Jul 1938 and assumed Command |
| Mr | J E D Benham | 23 Aug 1938 | Appointed to a commission in the AAF in the rank of Fg Off, wef 5 Jul 1938 |
| Mr | J M W Omand | 23 Aug 1938 | Appointed to a commission in the AAF in the rank of Fg Off, wef 5 Jul 1938 |
| Mr | L P Bonnet | 23 Aug 1938 | Appointed to a commission in the AAF in the rank of APO, wef 5 Jul 1938 |
| Mr | W Courtenay | 13 Sep 1938 | Appointed to a commission in the AAF in the rank of Fg Off, wef 5 Jul 1938 |
| Mr | A W Kay | 20 Dec 1939 | Appointed to a commission in the AAF in the rank of Fg Off, wef 5 Sep 1938 |
| Mr | A E N Morris | 20 Dec 1939 | Appointed to a commission in the AAF in the rank of Fg Off, wef 10 Nov 1938 |
| Mr | J S Saxby | 20 Dec 1939 | Appointed to a commission in the AAF in the rank of Fg Off, wef 10 Nov 1938 |
| Mr | O O Sayers | 20 Dec 1939 | Appointed to a commission in the AAF in the rank of Fg Off, wef 10 Nov 1938 |
| Mr | V G E Gardner | 20 Dec 1939 | Appointed to a commission in the AAF in the rank of APO, wef 10 Nov 1938 |
Organisational Movements: May 1938 - Dec 1939
| Date | Notes |
| 16 May 1938 |
Formed as No 908 (Balloon) (County of Essex) Squadron as part of the Auxiliary Air Force. |
| 4 Aug 1938 |
No 4 Balloon Centre, Chigwell, Essex formed and assumed control |
Source - RAF Flying Training and Support Units since 1912 - Air Britain & No 909 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/2238)
| Balloon Centre | Command/Group |
| No 4 Balloon Centre, Chigwell, Essex | Balloon Command/No 30 (Balloon) Group |
| Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
| Sqn Ldr | P L Dyson-Skinner | 5 Jul 1938 | Officer Commanding, |
| Flt Lt | J W Martin | 15 Sep 1938 | |
| Fg Off | J E D Benham | 5 Jul 1938 | |
| Fg Off | J M W Omand | 5 Jul 1938 | |
| Fg Off | W Courtenay | 5 Jul 1938 | MM |
| APO | L P Bonnet | 5 Jul 1938 |
Source - January 1939 Air Force List
Personnel Movements: Jan - Apr 1939
| Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
| Fg Off | J E D Benham | 19 Jan 1939 | Appointed Officer i/c 'A' Flight |
| Fg Off | W Courtenay | 19 Jan 1939 | Appointed Officer i/c 'B' Flight |
| Dr | G A H Norman | 24 Jan 1939 | Appointed to a commission in the AAF in the rank of Fg Off, wef 10 Nov 1938 for duty as Medical Officer |
| Fg Off | G A H Norman | 25 Jan 1939 | Medical Officer, reported for duty |
| Lt | G B Savi | 6 Feb 1939 | Reported for duty as Assistant Adjutant |
| Fg Off | J E D Benham | 6 Feb 1939 | Promoted to Flt Lt |
| Lt | G B Savi | 6 Feb 1939 | Posted to Sqn HQ, No 4 Balloon Centre |
| Fg Off | A W Kay | 20 Feb 1939 | Appointed Officer i/c 'C' Flight |
| Fg Off | J H Leach | 28 Feb 1939 | RAFO, reported for duty as Assistant Adjutant |
| APO | L P Bonnet | 1 Mar 1939 | Promoted to Fg Off |
| Mr | J M W Omand | 25 Mar 1939 | Appointed Officer i/c 'D' Flight |
| Mr | J S Saxby | 25 Mar 1939 | Appointed Officer i/c 'E' Flight |
| Fg Off | A J Barnes | 13 Apr 1939 | Reported for duty on appointment |
Source - No 908 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/2235)
Organisational Movements: Jan - Apr 1939
| Date | Notes |
| 19 Jan 1939 | 'A' and 'B' Flights formed |
| 20 Feb 1939 | 'C' Flight formed |
| 25 Mar 1939 | 'D' and 'E' Flights formed |
Source - No 908 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/2235)
| Balloon Centre | Command/Group |
| No 4 Balloon Centre, Chigwell, Essex | Balloon Command/No 30 (Balloon) Group |
| Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
| Sqn Ldr | P L Dyson-Skinner | 5 Jul 1938 | Officer Commanding, |
| Flt Lt | J W Martin | 15 Sep 1938 | |
| Fg Off | J E D Benham | 5 Jul 1938 | |
| Fg Off | J M W Omand | 5 Jul 1938 | |
| Fg Off | W Courtenay | 5 Jul 1938 | MM |
| Fg Off | A W Kay | 5 Sep 1938 | |
| Fg Off | A E N Morris | 10 Nov 1938 | |
| Fg Off | J S Saxby | 10 Nov 1938 | |
| Fg Off | O O Sayers | 10 Nov 1938 | |
| APO | L P Bonnet | 5 Jul 1938 | |
| APO | V G E Gardner | 10 Nov 1938 | |
| Medical Branch | |||
| Fg Off | G A H Norman | 10 Nov 1938 | MB, BS, MRCS, LRCP |
Source - April 1939 Confidential Air Force List
| Balloon Centre | Command/Group |
| No 4 Balloon Centre, Chigwell, Essex | Balloon Command/No 30 (Balloon) Group |
| Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
| Sqn Ldr | P L Dyson-Skinner | 5 Jul 1938 | Officer Commanding, |
| Flt Lt | J W Martin | 15 Sep 1938 | |
| Flt Lt | J E D Benham | 5 Jul 1938 | |
| Fg Off | J M W Omand | 5 Jul 1938 | |
| Fg Off | W Courtenay | 5 Jul 1938 | MM |
| Fg Off | A W Kay | 5 Sep 1938 | |
| Fg Off | A E N Morris | 10 Nov 1938 | |
| Fg Off | J S Saxby | 10 Nov 1938 | |
| Fg Off | O O Sayers | 10 Nov 1938 | |
| Fg Off | L P Bonnet | 5 Jul 1938 | |
| Fg Off | J H Leach | RAFO | |
| APO | V G E Gardner | 10 Nov 1938 | |
| Medical Branch | |||
| Fg Off | G A H Norman | 10 Nov 1938 | MB, BS, MRCS, LRCP |
Source - May 1939 Confidential Air Force List
Personnel Movements: May - Aug 1939
| Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
| Flt Lt | R G Rolfe-Rogers | 22 May 1939 | RAFO, Class CC, appointed for duty as Adjutant |
| Mr | R W Gaudie | 3 Jul 1939 | Appointed to a commission in the AAF in the rank of Fg Off, wef 23 May 1939 |
| Mr | G Grayrigge | 3 Jul 1939 | Appointed to a commission in the AAF in the rank of Plt Off, wef 12 Jun 1939 for Accountant duties |
| Sqn Ldr | P L Dyson-Skinner | 4 Jul 1939 | Promoted to Wg Cdr, wef 6 Jun 1939 |
| Mr | R H Cale | 6 Jul 1939 | Appointed to a commission in the AAF in the rank of Fg Off |
| Mr | D C Shuter | 24 Jul 1939 | Appointed to a commission in the AAF in the rank of Fg Off, wef 11 Jul 1939 |
| Mr | R V Saltmarsh | 31 Jul 1939 | Appointed to a commission in the AAF in the rank of APO |
| Fg Off | J M W Omand | 7 Aug 1939 | Disembodied from the AAF |
| Fg Off | A E N Morris | 7 Aug 1939 | Disembodied from the AAF |
| APO | V G E Gardner | 11 Aug 1939 | Promoted to Fg Off, wef 13 Jul 1939 |
| Fg Off | J S Saxby | 14 Aug 1939 | Promoted to Flt Lt, wef 25 May 1939 |
Source - No 908 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/2235)
Organisational Movements: May - Dec 1939
| Date | Notes |
| 11 Jun 1939 | 25% of the squadron was placed on embodiment for a month at a time for four months. |
| 11 Jun 1939 | Squadron and Flight HQs deployed as follows: -
|
| 9 Jul 1939 | Sqn HQ moved from Hackney Wick Stadium to White Hart Inn, Temple Mills, E15 |
| 23 Aug 1939 | Squadron mobilised |
Source - No 908 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/2235)
Organisation on Mobilisation: 23 Aug 1939
| Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
| Wg Cdr | P L Dyson-Skinner | 5 Jul 1938 | Officer Commanding, |
| Sqn Ldr | J E D Benham | 5 Jul 1938 | Administrative Officer |
| Flt Lt | R G Rolfe-Rogers | 22 May 1939 | Adjutant |
| Fg Off | J H Leach | Assistant Adjutant | |
| Fg Off | G A H Norman | 10 Nov 1938 | Medical Officer |
| APO | G Grayrigge | 3 Jul 1939 | Accountant Officer |
| Fg Off | R H Cale | 6 Jul 1939 | 'A' Flight |
| Fg Off | V G E Gardner | 11 Aug 1939 | 'A' Flight |
| Fg Off | W Courtenay | 19 Jan 1939 | 'B' Flight |
| Fg Off | A J Barnes | 13 Apr 1939 | 'B' Flight |
| Fg Off | A E N Morris | 6 Jul 1939 | 'B' Flight |
| Fg Off | A W Kay | 5 Sep 1938 | 'C' Flight |
| Fg Off | O O Sayers | 10 Nov 1938 | 'C' Flight |
| Fg Off | R W Gaudie | 3 Jul 1939 | 'C' Flight |
| Fg Off | J M W Omand | 5 Jul 1938 | 'D' Flight |
| Mr | D C Shuter | 24 Jul 1939 | 'D' Flight |
| Fg Off | J S Saxby | 10 Nov 1938 | 'E' Flight |
| Fg Off | L P Bonnet | 5 Jul 1938 | 'E' Flight |
| APO | R V Saltmarsh | 31 Jul 1939 | 'E' Flight |
Source - No 908 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/2235)
Personnel Movements: Aug - Dec 1939
| Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
| Fg Off | L P Bonnet | 25 Aug 1939 | Moved from 'E' Flight to assume duties of Assistant Adjutant in the Field |
| Fg Off | O O Sayers | 4 Sep 1939 | Moved from 'C' Flight to assume duties of MT Training Officer |
| Fg Off | J H Leach | 6 Sep 1939 | Relinquished duties of Assistant Adjutant |
| Fg Off | H Clendenning | 6 Sep 1939 | Assumed duties of Assistant Adjutant, wef 1 Sep 1939 |
| Mr | L R Last | 11 Sep 1930 | Reported for duty pending Gazetting and allocated to 'E' Flight |
| Mr | G P M Davis | 11 Sep 1930 | Reported for duty pending Gazetting and allocated to 'C' Flight |
| Fg Off | H Clendenning | 20 Sep 1939 | Assumed duties of Assistant Adjutant in the Field |
| Fg Off | L P Bonnet | 20 Sep 1939 | Relinquished duties of Assistant Adjutant in the Field and assumed duties of Equipment Officer |
| Fg Off | H Clendenning | 25 Sep 1939 | Relinquished duties of Assistant Adjutant in the Field and returned to No 4 Balloon Centre for similar duties with Sqn |
| Mr | L R Last | 27 Sep 1939 | Appointed to a commission in the AAF in the rank of Plt Off, wef 31 Aug 1939 |
| Fg Off | A J Barnes | 16 Oct 1939 | Departed on posting to No 948 Sqn, No 6 Balloon Centre (with contingent of airmen) |
| Plt Off | R C Crowden | 16 Oct 1939 | Arrived on posting and allocated to 'A' Flight |
| Fg Off | R H Cale | 16 Oct 1939 | Relinquished command of 'A' Flight and assumed command of 'B' Flight |
| Fg Off | R W Gaudie | 16 Oct 1939 | Assumed command of 'A' Flight |
| Fg Off | L P Bonnet | 26 Oct 1939 | Promoted to Flt Lt, wef 18 Sep 1939 |
| Fg Off | J M W Omand | 26 Oct 1939 | Promoted to Flt Lt, wef 18 Sep 1939 |
| Fg Off | O O Sayers | 26 Oct 1939 | Promoted to Flt Lt, wef 18 Sep 1939 |
| Plt Off | G Grayrigge | 26 Oct 1939 | Promoted to Act Fg Off, wef 18 Sep 1939 |
| Plt Off | L S Duffill | 27 Oct 1939 | Arrived on posting and allocated to 'B' Flight |
| Act Cpl | C F W Fisher | 29 Oct 1939 | Died from injuries |
| Flt Lt | R G Rolfe-Rogers | 2 Nov 1939 | Adjutant, appointed to the A & SD Branch, RAFVR as a Flt Lt, wef 1 Sep 1939, seniority 11 Apr 1939 |
| Act Flt Lt | G A H Norman | 8 Nov 1939 | Medical Officer, promoted to Act Sqn Ldr, wef 27 Oct 1939 |
| Plt Off | L F Collins | 9 Nov 1939 | Arrived on posting for duty as Equipment Officer |
| Plt Off | R C Crowden | 13 Nov 1939 | Posted to No 907 Sqn |
| Plt Off | J W Buchanan | 13 Nov 1939 | Arrived on posting |
| Mr | G P M Davis | 22 Nov 1939 | Appointed to a commission in the AAF in the rank of Plt Off on Probation, wef 8 Sep 1939 |
| Flt Lt | L P Bonnet | 22 Nov 1939 | Attached to HQ, No 30 Group |
| Fg Off | R H Cale | 1 Dec 1939 | Attached to No 952 Sqn |
| Act Sqn Ldr | G A H Norman | 6 Dec 1939 | Medical Officer, promoted to Flt Lt (substantive), wef 11 Apr 1939 |
| Sgt | W R Trenholme | 7 Dec 1939 | Promoted to Temp Flt Sgt, we 27 Nov 1939 |
| Sgt | L A Bartlett | 7 Dec 1939 | Promoted to Temp Flt Sgt, we 27 Nov 1939 |
| Plt Off | G P M Davis | 11 Dec 1939 | Posted to the Air Ministry for duty as Recording Officer in DGOps |
| Plt Off | L S Duffill | 13 Dec 1939 | Attached to No 952 Sqn |
| Plt Off | R V Saltmarsh | 15 Dec 1939 | Transferred from 'E' Flight to 'B' Flight |
| Fg Off | W Courtenay | 20 Dec 1939 | Resigned his commission, wef 18 Dec 1939 |
| Flt Lt | O O Sayers | 27 Dec 1939 | Attached to No 3 Balloon Centre for temporary MT duties |
| Flt Lt | L P Bonnet | 28 Dec 1939 | Attached to No 902 Sqn |
| Flt Lt | R H Hodgson | 30 Dec 1939 | Attached from No 902 Sqn for administrative duties |
Source - No 908 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/2235)
Organisational Movements: Aug - Dec 1939
| Date | Notes |
| 25 Aug 1939 | Squadron deployed to its War Sites |
| 31 Aug 1939 | Sqn HQ moved from White Hart Inn, Temple Mills, E15 to Metropolitan Sports Ground, High Road, Leyton, E10 |
| 16 Oct 1939 | Detachment departed to join No 949 Sqn on formation |
| 8 Dec 1939 | 'D' Flight HQ moved from Green Man Hotel, 762 High Road, Leytonstone to 'Crossway, 1 Blake Hall Road, Wanstead, E11 |
Source - No 908 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/2235)
Personnel Movements: Jan - Dec 1940
| Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
| Sqn Ldr | J E D Benham | 4 Jan 1940 | Attached to No 3 Balloon Centre for Administrative duties |
| Act Sqn Ldr | G A H Norman | 12 Jan 1940 | Medical Officer, posted to No 4 Balloon Centre |
| Fg Off | D Stafford-Clark | 14 Jan 1940 | Arrived on posting for Medical duties |
| Flt Lt | O O Sayers | 22 Jan 1940 | Ceased to be attached to No 3 Balloon Centre for temporary MT duties |
| Flt Lt | L P Bonnet | 30 Jan 1940 | Ceased to be attached to No 902 Sqn and attached to HQ, No 30 Group for Operations duties |
| Fg Off | V G E Gardner | 30 Jan 1940 | Attached to No 928 Sqn |
| Flt Lt | O O Sayers | 31 Jan 1940 | Attached to No 9 Balloon Centre for temporary MT duties |
| Flt Lt | H Clendenning | 1 Feb 1940 | Posted to No 19 Balloon Centre for Administrative duties |
| Flt Lt | J M W Omand | 4 Feb 1940 | Attended Officers' Disciplinary Course at No 4 Balloon Centre |
| Flt Lt | J S Saxby | 4 Feb 1940 | Attended Officers' Disciplinary Course at No 4 Balloon Centre |
| Fg Off | R W Gaudie | 4 Feb 1940 | Attended Officers' Disciplinary Course at No 4 Balloon Centre |
| Fg Off | A E N Morris | 4 Feb 1940 | Attended Officers' Disciplinary Course at No 4 Balloon Centre |
| Fg Off | V G E Gardner | 12 Feb 1940 | Attended Officers' Disciplinary Course at No 4 Balloon Centre |
| Plt Off | J W Buchanan | 12 Feb 1940 | Attended Officers' Disciplinary Course at No 4 Balloon Centre |
| Plt Off | R V Saltmarsh | 12 Feb 1940 | Attended Officers' Disciplinary Course at No 4 Balloon Centre |
| Plt Off | D C Shuter | 12 Feb 1940 | Attended Officers' Disciplinary Course at No 4 Balloon Centre |
| Plt Off | L R Last | 12 Feb 1940 | Attended Officers' Disciplinary Course at No 4 Balloon Centre |
| Sqn Ldr | J E D Benham | 24 Feb 1940 | Ceased to be attached to No 3 Balloon Centre for Administrative duties |
| Plt Off | Peachey | 25 Feb 1940 | Posted to No 952 Sqn |
| Plt Off | D E Easton-Smith | 25 Feb 1940 | Arrived on posting |
| Fg Off | R W Gaudie | 4 Mar 1940 | Attached to No 928 Sqn |
| Sqn Ldr | J E D Benham | 10 Mar 1940 | Attached to No 4 Balloon Centre for Administrative duties |
| Flt Lt | O O Sayers | 11 Mar 1940 | Ceased to be attached to No 9 Balloon Centre for temporary MT duties |
| Plt Off | Perkins | 13 Mar 1940 | Arrived on posting |
| Fg Off | R W Gaudie | 17 Mar 1940 | Ceased to be attached to No 928 Sqn |
| Plt Off | B A Etherington | 18 Mar 1940 | Arrived on posting |
| Flt Lt | L P Bonnet | 18 Mar 1940 | Posted to HQ, No 30 Group for Operations duties |
| Flt Lt | O O Sayers | 18 Mar 1940 | Attached to No 3 Balloon Centre for temporary MT duties |
| Flt Lt | J M W Omand | 25 Mar 1940 | Attached to No 4 Balloon Centre for duty as Centre Training Officer |
| Flt Lt | A W Kay | 25 Mar 1939 | Attached to HQ, No 30 Group for temporary Operations duties |
| Sqn Ldr | J E D Benham | 4 Apr 1940 | Ceased to be attached to No 4 Balloon Centre for Administrative duties and attached to No 928 Sqn |
| Sqn Ldr | J E D Benham | 9 Apr 1940 | Ceased to be attached to No 928 Sqn |
| Flt Lt | R H Hodgson | 10 Apr 1940 | Attached to No 1 Balloon Centre for temporary Administrative duties |
| Plt Off | N W E Codd | 11 May 1940 | Arrived on posting |
| Fg Off | D Stafford-Clark | 16 May 1940 | Medical Officer, posted to France |
| Plt Off | L F Collins | 25 May 1940 | Equipment Officer, posted to No 25 MU, Hartlebury |
| Plt Off | H E Courtney | 1 Jun 1940 | Arrived on posting for duty as Equipment Officer |
| Plt Off | J W Buchanan | 9 Jun 1940 | Posted to No 912 Sqn |
| Fg Off | D Stafford-Clark | 6 Jul 1940 | Arrived on attachment for Medical duties |
| Fg Off | M Rassin | 6 Jul 1940 | Attached to No 928 Sqn |
| Flt Lt | R W Gaudie | 8 Jul 1940 | Transferred to 'B' Flight |
| Fg Off | A E N Morris | 8 Jul 1940 | Transferred to 'E' Flight |
| Plt Off | B A Etherington | 8 Jul 1940 | Transferred to 'A' Flight |
| Plt Off | N W E Codd | 8 Jul 1940 | Transferred to 'D' Flight |
| Plt Off | J H Harris | 10 Jul 1940 | Arrived on posting and allocated to 'B' Flight |
| Plt Off | Perkins | 19 Jul 1940 | Attached to No 957 Sqn |
| LAC | Lillis | 30 Jul 1940 | Attached to No 928 Sqn for Plotting duties |
| Flt Lt | R W Gaudie | 22 Aug 1940 | Posted to No 928 Sqn |
| Fg Off | A E N Morris | 30 Aug 1940 | Promoted to Act Flt Lt, wef 15 Aug 1940 |
| Plt Off | D C Shuter | 30 Aug 1940 | Promoted to Act Fg Off, wef 15 Aug 1940 |
| Fg Off | D Stafford-Clark | 6 Sep 1940 | Medical Officer, posted away |
| Fg Off | J L Barnardo | 6 Sep 1940 | Arrived on posting from RAF Halton for duty as Medical Officer |
| Flt Lt | V G E Gardner | 8 Sep 1940 | Attached to No 992 Sqn (with mobile crew) |
| Plt Off | Butler | 8 Sep 1940 | Attached to No 992 Sqn (with mobile crew) |
| Flt Lt | V G E Gardner | 22 Sep 1940 | Ceased to be attached to No 992 Sqn |
| Plt Off | R A S Bates | 7 Oct 1940 | Volunteered for service in the Middle East |
| Plt Off | H E Courtney | 7 Oct 1940 | Equipment Officer, volunteered for service in the Middle East |
| Plt Off | B A Etherington | 14 Nov 1940 | Attached to No 907 Sqn |
| Fg Off | R V Saltmarsh | 1 Dec 1940 | Promoted to Act Flt Lt |
| Plt Off | E C Bale | 14 Dec 1940 | Arrived on posting from No 956 Sqn |
| Plt Off | Brown-Greaves | 14 Dec 1940 | Posted to No 956 Sqn |
| Plt Off | D E Easton-Smith | 16 Dec 1940 | Attached to No 4 Balloon Centre |
| Plt Off | B H Parham | 19 Dec 1940 | Posted to No 902 Sqn |
Source - No 908 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/2235 & AIR 27/2236)
Organisational Movements: Jan - Dec 1940
| Date | Notes |
| 4 Jun 1940 | 'C' Flight HQ moved from Hackney Wick Stadium to RA HQ, The Green, Stratford |
| 10 Aug 1940 | 'E' Flight HQ moved from Superintendent's Office, Victoria Park, E2 to Territorial Drill Hall, Victoria Park Square, E2 |
| 9 Oct 1940 | Sqn HQ moved from Metropolitan Sports Ground, Leyton, E10 to 54th Signals Territorial Drill Hall, Selsdon Road, Wanstead, E11 |
| 9 Oct 1940 | 'A' Flight HQ moved from Metropolitan Sports Ground, Leyton, E10 to Territorial Drill Hall, Lea Bridge Road, Whipps Cross |
Source - No 908 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/2235 & AIR 27/2236)
[Jan 1939| Apr 1939 | May 1939]
This page was last updated on 17/10/23©
