Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation

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RAF Bircham Newton Personnel

[Jan 1925 | Feb 1925 | Mar 1925 | Apr 1925 | May 1925 | Jun 1925 | Jul 1925 | Mar 1926 | Jul 1926 | Dec 1926 | Jul 1927 | Jul 1928 | Sep 1928 | Jul 1929 | Jul 1930 |Aug 1930 | Sep 1930 | Oct 1930 | Nov 1930 | Dec 1930 |  Jul 1931 | Jul 1932 | Jul 1933 | Jan 1934 | Jul 1934 | Jul 1935 | Jul 1936 | Aug 1936 | Jul 1937 | Jul 1938 | Jan 1939 | Apr 1939 | May 1939]

Personnel Movements: Sep 1924 - Jul 1925

Rank Name Date Notes
Wg Cdr Hon Laurence J E Twisleton-Wykeham-Fiennes  8 Sep 1924 Posted in for duty as Officer Commanding

Source - RAF Bircham Newton ORB

Unit Movements: Sep 1924 - Jul 1925

Unit Date Notes
No 7 Sqn  1 Jun 1923 Formed at RAF Bircham Newton
No 99 Sqn 31 May 1924 Arrived from Netheravon
SHQ, RAF Bircham Newton 12 Sep 1924 Formed

Source - RAF Bircham Newton ORB

 

January 1925

Source - January 1925 Air Force List

February 1925

Source - February 1925 Air Force List

March 1925

Source - March 1925 Air Force List

April 1925

Source - April 1925 Air Force List

May 1925

Source - May 1925 Air Force List

June 1925

Source - June 1925 Air Force List

July 1925

County/Country Command Units
Norfolk, England Inland Area/No 3 Group

  • No 7 (Bombing) Squadron

  • No 99 (Bombing) Squadron

 

Rank Name Date Notes
Wg Cdr Hon Laurence J E Twisleton-Wykeham-Fiennes  8 Sep 1924 Officer Commanding
Flt Lt John S Holloway 10 Sep 1924  
Fg Off Fred Miller 23 Feb 1925 DSM
Fg Off John B H Rogers  1 Feb 1925  
Stores Branch
Flt Lt Archibald Latimer 23 Mar 1925  
Education Officer
Capt Hubert C Biles 13 May 1924 Grade IV, Res of Off

Source - July 1925 Air Force List

March 1926

County/Country Command Units
Norfolk, England Inland Area/No 3 Group

  • No 7 (Bombing) Squadron

  • No 99 (Bombing) Squadron

 

Rank Name Date Notes
Wg Cdr Hon Laurence J E Twisleton-Wykeham-Fiennes  8 Sep 1924 Officer Commanding
Flt Lt William M Fry  4 Dec 1925 MC
Fg Off Fred Miller 23 Feb 1925 DSM
Fg Off John B H Rogers  1 Feb 1925  
Stores Branch
Flt Lt Archibald Latimer 23 Mar 1925  
Education Officer
Capt Hubert C Biles 13 May 1924 Grade IV, Res of Off

Source - March 1926 Air Force List

July 1926

County/Country Command/Group Units
Norfolk, England ADGB/Wessex Bombing Area

  • No 7 (Bombing) Squadron

  • No 99 (Bombing) Squadron

 

Rank Name Date Notes
Wg Cdr Hon Laurence J E Twisleton-Wykeham-Fiennes  8 Sep 1924 Officer Commanding
Flt Lt Edgar T Carpenter 21 Apr 1926 AFC
Flt Lt William M Fry  4 Dec 1925 MC
Fg Off Fred Miller 23 Feb 1925 DSM
Stores Branch
Flt Lt Archibald Latimer 23 Mar 1925  
Education Officer
Capt Hubert C Biles 13 May 1924 Grade IV, Res of Off

Source - July 1926 Air Force List

December 1926

County/Country Command/Group Units
Norfolk, England ADGB/Wessex Bombing Area

  • No 7 (Bombing) Squadron

  • No 99 (Bombing) Squadron

 

Rank Name Date Notes
Wg Cdr Hon Laurence J E Twisleton-Wykeham-Fiennes  8 Sep 1924 Officer Commanding
Flt Lt Edgar T Carpenter 21 Apr 1926 Signals Duties, AFC
Flt Lt William M Fry  4 Dec 1925 MC
Flt Lt Allan L A Perry-Keene   Armament Duties; later AVM
Stores Branch
Flt Lt Archibald Latimer 23 Mar 1925  
Medical Branch
Flt Lt Graham S Strachen 28 Aug 1926 MB
Education Officer
Capt Hubert C Biles 13 May 1924 Grade IV, Res of Off

Source - December 1926 Air Force List

Personnel Movements: Dec 1926 - Jul 1927

Rank Name Date Notes
Wg Cdr Hon Laurence J E Twisleton-Wykeham-Fiennes 21 Feb 1927 Relinquished command of RAF Bircham Newton on posting
Wg Cdr Thomas O'B Hubbard  2 Apr 1927 Assumed command of RAF Bircham Newton

Source - RAF Bircham Newton ORB

Unit Movements: Dec 1926 - Jul 1927

Unit Date Notes
No 7 Sqn  7 Apr 1927 Moved to Worthy Down

Source - RAF Bircham Newton ORB

July 1927

County/Country Command/Group Units
Kings Lynn, Norfolk, England ADGB/Wessex Bombing Area

  • No 99 (Bombing) Squadron

 

Rank Name Date Notes
Wg Cdr Thomas O'B Hubbard  2 Apr 1927 Officer Commanding, MC, AFC
Flt Lt Edgar T Carpenter 21 Apr 1926 Signals, AFC
Flt Lt William M Fry  4 Dec 1925 MC
Fg Off Thomas O Oakes 23 Mar 1927 Armament
Medical Branch
Flt Lt Charles A Lindup  4 Apr 1927
Education Officer
Capt Hubert C Biles 13 May 1924 Grade IV, Res of Off

Source - July 1927 Air Force List

Unit Movements: Jul 1927 -Jul 1928

Unit Date Notes
No 99 Sqn  5 Jan 1928 Moved to RAF Upper Heyford
No 39 Sqn  2 Jan 1928 Arrived from RAF Spittlegate
No 101 Sqn  1 Apr 1928 Formed at RAF Bircham Newton

Source - RAF Bircham Newton ORB

July 1928

County/Country Command/Group Units
Kings Lynn, Norfolk, England ADGB/Wessex Bombing Area

  • SHQ

  • No 39 (Bombing) Squadron

  • No 101 (Bombing) Squadron

 

Rank Name Date Notes
Wg Cdr Thomas O'B Hubbard  2 Apr 1927 Officer Commanding, MC, AFC
Flt Lt Malcolm B Mackay 22 Feb 1928 Armament duties
Flt Lt William M Fry  4 Dec 1925 MC
Stores Branch
Flt Lt Harry F Webb  5 Mar 1928
Medical Branch
Flt Lt Charles A Lindup  4 Apr 1927  
Fg Off Cyril P O'Toole  5 Mar 1928
Education Officer
Capt Charles E Scott  1 Jan 1928 Grade IV, MC, BA

Source - July 1928 Air Force List

September 1928

County/Country Command/Group Units
Kings Lynn, Norfolk, England ADGB/Wessex Bombing Area

  • SHQ

  • No 39 (Bombing) Squadron

  • No 101 (Bombing) Squadron

 

Rank Name Date Notes
Wg Cdr Thomas O'B Hubbard  2 Apr 1927 Officer Commanding, MC, AFC
Flt Lt Malcolm B Mackay 22 Feb 1928 Armament duties
Flt Lt William M Fry  4 Dec 1925 MC
Stores Branch
Flt Lt Harry F Webb  5 Mar 1928
Medical Branch
Flt Lt Charles A Lindup  4 Apr 1927  
Fg Off Cyril P O'Toole  5 Mar 1928
Education Officer
Capt Charles E Scott  1 Jan 1928 Grade IV, MC, BA

Source - September 1928 Air Force List

Unit Movements: Sep 1928 - Jul 1929

Unit Date Notes
No 39 Sqn 28 Dec 1928 Proceeded to India
No 35 Sqn  1 Apr 1929 Formed at RAF Bircham Newton

Source - RAF Bircham Newton ORB

July 1929

County/Country Command/Group Units
Kings Lynn, Norfolk, England ADGB/Wessex Bombing Area

  • SHQ

  • No 35 (Bombing) Squadron

  • No 101 (Bombing) Squadron

 

Rank Name Date Notes
Wg Cdr Thomas O'B Hubbard  2 Apr 1927 Officer Commanding, MC, AFC
Flt Lt Malcolm B Mackay 22 Feb 1928 Armament duties
Flt Lt William M Fry  4 Dec 1925 MC
Flt Lt Brian A S Lewin 11 Mar 1929  
Fg Off George H Huxhaul 14 May 1929  
Stores Branch
Flt Lt Harry F Webb  5 Mar 1928
Medical Branch
Flt Lt Charles A Lindup  4 Apr 1927  

Source - July 1929 Air Force List

Personnel Movements: Jul 1929 - Jul 1930

Rank Name Date Notes
Wg Cdr

Robert Leckie

 5 Sep 1929 Arrived on posting pending assuming command
Wg Cdr Thomas O'B Hubbard 13 Sep 1929 Relinquished command of RAF Bircham Newton on posting to AHQ Iraq
Wg Cdr

Robert Leckie

13 Sep 1929 Assumed command of RAF Bircham Newton

Source - RAF Bircham Newton ORB

Unit Movements: Jul 1929 - Jul 1930

Unit Date Notes
No 101 Sqn  7 Oct 1929 Moved to Andover
No 207 Sqn  7 Nov 1929 Arrived from Eastchurch

Source - RAF Bircham Newton ORB

July 1930

County/Country Command/Group Units
Kings Lynn, Norfolk, England ADGB/Wessex Bombing Area

  • SHQ

  • No 35 (Bomber) Squadron

  • No 207 (Bomber) Squadron

 

Rank Name Date Notes
Wg Cdr

Robert Leckie

 5 Sep 1929 Officer Commanding, DSO, DSC, DFC; later AVM
Flt Lt Malcolm B Mackay 22 Feb 1928 Armament duties
Flt Lt

George H Mills

 3 Feb 1930 later AM
Stores Branch
Flt Lt Harry F Webb  5 Mar 1928
Medical Branch
Flt Lt Edward C K H Foreman 13 Nov 1929 MRCS, LRCP
Education Officer
Mr Arthur G Abel  2 Sep 1929 BSc

Source - July 1930 Air Force List

August 1930

Source - August 1930 Air Force List

September 1930

Source - September 1930 Air Force List

October 1930

Source - October 1930 Air Force List

November 1930

Source - November 1930 Air Force List

December 1930

Source - December 1930 Air Force List

Personnel Movements: Dec 1930 - Jul 1931

Rank Name Date Notes
Wg Cdr

Conway W H Pulford

  9 Apr 1931 Arrived on posting pending assuming command
Wg Cdr

Robert Leckie

11 Sep 1929 Relinquished command of RAF Bircham Newton on posting to No 210 Sqn
Wg Cdr

Conway W H Pulford

 11 Apr 1931 Assumed command of RAF Bircham Newton

Source - RAF Bircham Newton ORB

July 1931

County/Country Command/Group Units
Kings Lynn, Norfolk, England ADGB/Wessex Bombing Area

  • SHQ

  • No 35 (Bomber) Squadron

  • No 207 (Bomber) Squadron

 

Rank Name Date Notes
Wg Cdr

Conway W H Pulford

  9 Apr 1931 Officer Commanding, OBE, AFC; later AVM
Flt Lt

Hubert L Patch

 9 Apr 1931 Armament duties; later ACM
Flt Lt Charles McM Laing  4 Nov 1930 MC, AFC
Stores Branch
Flt Lt Norman W Law 17 Oct 1930
Medical Branch
Flt Lt Leslie I Hyder 18 Oct 1930 MRCS, LRCP
Education Officer
Mr Arthur G Abel  2 Sep 1929 BSc

Source - July 1931 Air Force List

July 1932

County/Country Command/Group Units
Kings Lynn, Norfolk, England ADGB/Wessex Bombing Area

  • SHQ

  • No 35 (Bomber) Squadron

  • No 207 (Bomber) Squadron

 

Rank Name Date Notes
Wg Cdr

Conway W H Pulford

  9 Apr 1931 Officer Commanding, OBE, AFC; later AVM
Flt Lt

Hubert L Patch

 9 Apr 1931 Armament duties; later ACM
Flt Lt Charles McM Laing  4 Nov 1930 MC, AFC
Stores Branch
Flt Lt Norman W Law 17 Oct 1930
Medical Branch
Flt Lt Leslie I Hyder 18 Oct 1930 MRCS, LRCP
Education Officer
Mr Arthur G Abel  2 Sep 1929 BSc

Source - July 1932 Air Force List

Personnel Movements: Jul 1932 - Jul 1933

Rank Name Date Notes
Wg Cdr

Raymond Collishaw

  1 Oct 1932 Arrived on posting pending assuming command
Wg Cdr Conway W H Pulford 15 Oct 1932 Relinquished command of RAF Bircham Newton on posting to No 210 Sqn
Wg Cdr

Raymond Collishaw

 15 Oct 1932 Assumed command of RAF Bircham Newton

Source - RAF Bircham Newton ORB

July 1933

County/Country Command/Group Units
Kings Lynn, Norfolk, England ADGB/Wessex Bombing Area

  • SHQ

  • No 35 (Bomber) Squadron

  • No 207 (Bomber) Squadron

 

Rank Name Date Notes
Wg Cdr

Raymond Collishaw

  1 Oct 1932 Officer Commanding,  DSO, OBE, DSC, DFC; later AVM
Flt Lt

Hubert L Patch

 9 Apr 1931 Armament duties; later ACM
Flt Lt Charles McM Laing  4 Nov 1930 MC, AFC
Stores Branch
Flt Lt Norman W Law 17 Oct 1930
Medical Branch
Flt Lt Leslie I Hyder 18 Oct 1930 MRCS, LRCP
Education Officer
Mr Arthur G Abel  2 Sep 1929 BSc
Warrant Officers
WO James R Woollard 12 Apr 1933 DSMDCM
Warrant Officers - 2nd Class
WO II Alfred W Coe 19 May 1933  

Source - July 1933 Air Force List

Unit Movements: Jul 1933 - Jan 1934

Unit Date Notes
SHQ, RAF Bircham Newton  1 Oct 1933 Station transferred from Wessex Bombing Area to Western Area on formation
SHQ, RAF Bircham Newton 15 Nov 1933 Station transferred from Western Area to Central Area

Source - RAF Bircham Newton ORB

January 1934

County/Country Command/Group Units
Kings Lynn, Norfolk, England ADGB/Central Area

  • SHQ

  • No 35 (Bomber) Squadron

  • No 207 (Bomber) Squadron

 

Rank Name Date Notes
Wg Cdr

Raymond Collishaw

  1 Oct 1932 Officer Commanding,  DSO, OBE, DSC, DFC; later AVM
Flt Lt Charles McM Laing  4 Nov 1930 Adjutant MC, AFC
Flt Lt

Harold J G E Proud

  9 Oct 1933 Armament duties; later A/Cdre
Stores Branch
Flt Lt Norman W Law 17 Oct 1930
Medical Branch
Sqn Ldr Lewis P McCullugh 24 Nov 1933 MB, BCh
Flt Lt Leslie I Hyder 18 Oct 1930 MRCS, LRCP
Education Officer
Mr Arthur G Abel  2 Sep 1929 BSc
Warrant Officers
WO Alfred W Coe 19 May 1933  
WO James R Woollard 12 Apr 1933 DSM

Source - January 1934 Air Force List

July 1934

County/Country Command/Group Units
Kings Lynn, Norfolk, England ADGB/Central Area

  • SHQ

  • No 35 (Bomber) Squadron

  • No 207 (Bomber) Squadron

 

Rank Name Date Notes
Wg Cdr

Raymond Collishaw

  1 Oct 1932 Officer Commanding,  DSO, OBE, DSC, DFC; later AVM
Flt Lt

Harold J G E Proud

  9 Oct 1933 Armament duties; later A/Cdre
Flt Lt Isaac Hodgson 15 Mar 1934  
Stores Branch
Flt Lt Frank W Taylor 11 May 1934
Medical Branch
Sqn Ldr Lewis P McCullugh 24 Nov 1933 MB, BCh
Education Officer
Mr Arthur G Abel  2 Sep 1929 BSc
Warrant Officers
WO James R Woollard 12 Apr 1933 DSM

Source - July 1934 Air Force List

July 1935

County/Country Command/Group Units
Kings Lynn, Norfolk, England ADGB/Central Area

  • SHQ

  • No 35 (Bomber) Squadron

  • No 207 (Bomber) Squadron

 

Rank Name Date Notes
Wg Cdr

Raymond Collishaw

  1 Oct 1932 Officer Commanding,  DSO, OBE, DSC, DFC; later AVM
Flt Lt

Harold J G E Proud

  9 Oct 1933 Armament duties; later A/Cdre
Flt Lt Isaac Hodgson 15 Mar 1934  
Stores Branch
Flt Lt Frank W Taylor 11 May 1934
Medical Branch
Sqn Ldr Edwin N H Gray 11 Feb 1935 LRCP & S, DPH
Education Officer
Mr Percy H Legg  3 Sep 1934 BSc
Warrant Officers
WO Walter J Robinson  1 May 1935  
WO Hubert P Simpson 27 May 1935  
Warrant Officers - 2nd Class
WO II Edward A Patterson  3 May 1935  
WO II Charles Stonebridge 30 Nov 1934  

Source - July 1935 Air Force List

Personnel Movements: Jul 1935 - Jul 1936

Rank Name Date Notes
Gp Capt

Raymond Collishaw

 27 Aug 1935 Relinquished command of RAF Bircham Newton on posting to RAF Upper Heyford
Wg Cdr R G Gardner 27 Aug 1935 Assumed command of RAF Bircham Newton
Wg Cdr H M K Brown  3 Jun 1936 Arrived on posting pending assuming command
Wg Cdr R G Gardner  5 Jun 1936 Relinquished command of RAF Bircham Newton on posting to RAF Mediterranean
Wg Cdr H M K Brown  5 Jun 1936 Assumed command of RAF Bircham Newton

Source - RAF Bircham Newton ORB

Unit Movements: Jul 1935 - Jul 1936

Unit Date Notes
No 51 MU  1 Oct 1935 Formed at RAF Bircham Newton
No 52 MU  1 Oct 1935 Formed at RAF Bircham Newton
No 51 MU  3 Oct 1935 Departed RAF Bircham Newton for Liverpool
No 52 MU  3 Oct 1935 Departed RAF Bircham Newton for Liverpool
No 35 Sqn  4 Oct 1935 Departed RAF Bircham Newton for The Sudan
No 207 Sqn  4 Oct 1935 Departed RAF Bircham Newton for The Sudan
No 21 Sqn  3 Dec 1935 Nucleus formed at RAF Bircham Newton (no officers or aircraft)
No 34 Sqn  3 Dec 1935 Nucleus formed at RAF Bircham Newton (no officers or aircraft)
Advance Party, No 18 Sqn  2 Jan 1936 Arrived from Upper Heyford
No 18 Sqn  6 Jan 1936 Completed the move from Upper Heyford
No 49 Sqn 10 Feb 1936 Formed at RAF Bircham Newton from 'C'; Flight, No 18 Sqn, administered by No 18 Sqn
No 49 Sqn  6 Jul 1936 Declared independent from No 18 Sqn

Source - RAF Bircham Newton ORB

July 1936

County/Country Command/Group Units
Kings Lynn, Norfolk, England ADGB/No 1 (Bomber) Group

  • SHQ

  • No 18 (Bomber) Squadron

  • No 21 (Bomber) Squadron

  • No 34 (Bomber) Squadron

  • No 35 (Bomber) Squadron (detached to Sudan)

  • No 49 (Bomber) Squadron

  • No 207 (Bomber) Squadron (detached to Sudan)

 

Rank Name Date Notes
Wg Cdr H M K Brown  3 Jun 1936 Officer Commanding,
Flt Lt E L Mole 30 Sep 1935 Engineer duties
Flt Lt D M L Lynch-Staunton 30 Sep 1935  
Fg Off Eric S Butler  1 Jan 1936 Armament duties; later AVM
Fg Off P C Lawrence 13 Dec 1935  
Stores Branch
Flt Lt Frank W Taylor 11 May 1934
Flt Lt H E Freeston 29 Sep 1935
Accountant Branch
Flt Lt D C Stone  7 Jan 1936  
Fg Off H D Nicholson 30 Sep 1935  
Medical Branch
Fg Off L N Trethowen  1 Dec 1935 MRCS, LRCP
Education Officer
Mr Percy H Legg  3 Sep 1934 BSc
Civilian Assistant
Flt Lt R J Read   Adjutant, RAFO
Warrant Officers
WO Charles Maynard  7 Jun 1935  
WO Hubert P Simpson 27 May 1935  
WO H V Coulter 21 Apr 1936  

Source - July 1936 Air Force List

August 1936

Source - August 1936 Air Force List

Unit Movements: Jul 1936 - Jul 1937

Unit Date Notes
Air Party, No 21 Sqn 21 Jul 1936 Departed  RAF Bircham Newton for RAF Abbotsinch
Air Party, No 34 Sqn 21 Jul 1936 Departed  RAF Bircham Newton for RAF Abbotsinch
Rail Party, No 21 Sqn 30 Jul 1936 Departed  RAF Bircham Newton for RAF Abbotsinch
Rail Party, No 34 Sqn 30 Jul 1936 Departed  RAF Bircham Newton for RAF Abbotsinch
No 206 Sqn 30 Jul 1936 Completed the move from RAF Manston
No 49 Sqn  8 Aug 1936 Moved to RAF Worthy Down
SHQ, RAF Bircham Newton 10 Aug 1936 Station transferred from No 3 Group, Bomber Command to HQ Coastal Command
No 18 Sqn 15 Aug 1936 Moved to RAF Old Sarum for Exercise until 19 Sep 1936 then moved to RAF Upper Heyford
No 220 Sqn 17 Aug 1936 Formed at RAF Bircham Newton
No 269 Sqn  7 Sep 1936 Formed at RAF Bircham Newton from 'C' Flight, No 220 Sqn
No 269 Sqn 29 Sep 1936 Moved from RAF Bircham Newton to RAF Abbotsinch

Source - RAF Bircham Newton ORB

July 1937

County/Country Command/Group Units
Kings Lynn, Norfolk, England Coastal Command/No 16 (Reconnaissance) Group

  • SHQ

  • No 206 (General Reconnaissance) Squadron

  • No 220 (General Reconnaissance) Squadron

 

Rank Name Date Notes

Station HQ
Wg Cdr H M K Brown  3 Jun 1936 Officer Commanding,
Flt Lt M Q Candler 30 Sep 1936 Engineer duties
Flt Lt Geoffrey I L Saye 11 Nov 1936 Navigation duties, AFC; later AVM
Flt Lt Eric S Butler  1 Jan 1936 Armament duties; later AVM
Flt Lt R J Read   Adjutant, RAFO
Flt Lt G Burdick   Assistant Adjutant, RAFO
Equipment Officer
Eng Cdr (Ret) F W Farlow RN
Accountant Branch
Flt Lt D C Stone  7 Jan 1936  
Maj (Ret) R A Downs    
Medical Branch
Fg Off L N Trethowen  1 Dec 1935 MRCS, LRCP
Commissioned Signals Officer
Fg Off F Wilmshurst 12 Oct 1935 DSM
Education Officer
Mr Percy H Legg  3 Sep 1934 BSc
Warrant Officers
WO Charles Maynard  7 Jun 1935  
WO H R Coombe 23 Apr 1937  

Source - July 1937 Air Force List

Personnel Movements: Jul 1937 - Jul 1938

Rank Name Date Notes
Wg Cdr J W Woodhouse  6 Sep 1937 Arrived on posting pending assuming command
Wg Cdr H M K Brown 27 Sep 1937 Relinquished command of RAF Bircham Newton on posting to HQ Coastal Command
Wg Cdr J W Woodhouse 27 Sep 1937 Assumed command of RAF Bircham Newton
Wg Cdr J W Woodhouse  1 Jan 1938 Promoted to Gp Capt

Source - RAF Bircham Newton ORB

July 1938

County/Country Command/Group Units
Kings Lynn, Norfolk, England Coastal Command/No 16 (Reconnaissance) Group

  • SHQ

  • No 206 (General Reconnaissance) Squadron

  • No 220 (General Reconnaissance) Squadron

 

Rank Name Date Notes

Station HQ
Gp Capt J W Woodhouse  6 Sep 1937 Officer Commanding, DSO, MC
Flt Lt Eric S Butler  1 Jan 1936 Armament duties; later AVM
Flt Lt J A P Owen 18 Dec 1937 Navigation duties,
Flt Lt R J Read   Adjutant, RAFO
Flt Lt G Burdick   Assistant Adjutant, RAFO
Equipment Branch
Fg Off A V Ebert 13 Dec 1937
Maj (Ret) J H Barber MC
Accountant Branch
Fg Off W H M Kimpton 30 Nov 1937  
Maj (Ret) R A Downs    
Medical Branch
Flt Lt L N Trethowen  1 Dec 1935 MRCS, LRCP
Commissioned Engineer Officer
Fg Off E R Paley 29 Jul 1937  
Commissioned Signals Officer
Fg Off F Wilmshurst 12 Oct 1935 DSM
Education Officer
Mr Percy H Legg  3 Sep 1934 BSc
Warrant Officers
WO G M Somers 18 Sep 1937  
WO H R Coombe 23 Apr 1937  

Source - July 1938 Air Force List

Personnel Movements: Jul 1937 - Jul 1938

Rank Name Date Notes
Gp Capt C L Scott 25 Nov 1938 Arrived on posting pending assuming command
Gp Capt J W Woodhouse 12 Dec 1938 Relinquished command of RAF Bircham Newton on posting to RAF Middle East
Gp Capt C L Scott 12 Dec 1938 Assumed command of RAF Bircham Newton

Source - RAF Bircham Newton ORB

January 1939

County/Country Command/Group Units
Kings Lynn, Norfolk, England Coastal Command/No 16 (Reconnaissance) Group

  • SHQ

  • No 206 (General Reconnaissance) Squadron

  • No 220 (General Reconnaissance) Squadron

 

Rank Name Date Notes

Station HQ
Gp Capt C L Scott 25 Nov 1938 Officer Commanding, DSC
Sqn Ldr R N Clarke 10 Oct 1938  
Flt Lt Eric S Butler  1 Jan 1936 Armament duties; later AVM
Flt Lt J A P Owen 18 Dec 1937 Navigation duties,
Flt Lt Benjamin Ball 23 Jul 1938 Signals duties; later AVM
Flt Lt R J Read   Adjutant, RAFO
Flt Lt G Burdick   Assistant Adjutant, RAFO
Fg Off R L Bennet   Assistant Adjutant, RAFO
Equipment Branch
Fg Off A V Ebert 13 Dec 1937
Maj (Ret) J H Barber MC
Accountant Branch
Fg Off W H M Kimpton 30 Nov 1937  
Maj (Ret) R A Downs    
Medical Branch
Fg Off J L Roche  1 Nov 1938 LRCP & S
Warrant Officers
WO G M Somers 18 Sep 1937  
WO H R Coombe 23 Apr 1937  

Source - January 1939 Air Force List

April 1939

County/Country Command/Group Units
Kings Lynn, Norfolk, England Coastal Command/No 16 (Reconnaissance) Group

  • SHQ

  • No 206 (General Reconnaissance) Squadron

  • No 220 (General Reconnaissance) Squadron

 

Rank Name Date Notes

Station HQ
Gp Capt C L Scott 25 Nov 1938 Officer Commanding, DSC
Sqn Ldr R N Clarke 10 Oct 1938  
Flt Lt Eric S Butler  1 Jan 1936 Armament duties; later AVM
Flt Lt J A P Owen 18 Dec 1937 Navigation duties,
Flt Lt Benjamin Ball 23 Jul 1938 Signals duties; later AVM
Flt Lt R J Read   Adjutant, RAFO
Fg Off R L Bennet   Assistant Adjutant, RAFO
Equipment Branch
Fg Off A V Ebert 13 Dec 1937
Maj (Ret) J H Barber MC
Accountant Branch
Fg Off W H M Kimpton 30 Nov 1937  
Maj (Ret) R A Downs    
Medical Branch
Fg Off J L Roche  1 Nov 1938 LRCP & S
Temporary Education Officer
Mr R H Brown 15 Nov 1938 BSc
Warrant Officers
WO G M Somers 18 Sep 1937  
WO H R Coombe 23 Apr 1937  

Source - April 1939 Confidential Air Force List

May 1939

County/Country Command/Group Units
Kings Lynn, Norfolk, England Coastal Command/No 16 (Reconnaissance) Group

  • SHQ

  • No 206 (General Reconnaissance) Squadron

  • No 220 (General Reconnaissance) Squadron

 

Rank Name Date Notes

Station HQ
Gp Capt C L Scott 25 Nov 1938 Officer Commanding, DSC
Sqn Ldr R N Clarke 10 Oct 1938  
Sqn Ldr Eric S Butler  1 Jan 1936 Armament duties; later AVM
Sqn Ldr J A P Owen 18 Dec 1937 Navigation duties,
Sqn Ldr Benjamin Ball 23 Jul 1938 Signals duties; later AVM
Flt Lt R J Read   Adjutant, RAFO
Fg Off R L Bennet   Assistant Adjutant, RAFO
Capt (Ret) M H Fitzgerald    
Equipment Branch
Fg Off A V Ebert 13 Dec 1937
APO P P Butler  6 Mar 1939
Accountant Branch
Fg Off W H M Kimpton 30 Nov 1937  
Maj (Ret) R A Downs    
Medical Branch
Fg Off J L Roche  1 Nov 1938 LRCP & S
Temporary Education Officer
Mr R H Brown 15 Nov 1938 BSc
Warrant Officers
WO G M Somers 18 Sep 1937  
WO H R Coombe 23 Apr 1937  

Source - May 1939 Confidential Air Force List

Unit Movements: May 1939 - Dec 1940

Unit Date Notes
No 220 Sqn 12 Aug 1939 Moved to its War Station at RAF Thornaby
No 42 Sqn 12 Aug 1939 Moved to its War Station at RAF Bircham Newton from RAF Thornaby
No 1 Mobile Torpedo Servicing Unit xx Aug 1939 Arrived from RAF Gosport
No 233 Sqn Detachment xx Dec 1939 Arrived from RAF Leuchars
No 48 Sqn Detachment 14 Dec 1939 Arrived from RAF Thorney Island
No 600 Sqn Detachment 14 Dec 1939 Arrived from Fighter Command for duty with No 16 Group
No 233 Sqn Detachment xx Dec 1939 Returned to RAF Leuchars
No 254 Sqn 28 Jan 1940 Arrived from RAF Sutton Bridge
No 42 Sqn  8 Apr 1940 Declared non-operational
No 815 Sqn FAA  8 Apr 1940 Arrived
No 235 Sqn 25 Apr 1940 Arrived from RAF North Coates
No 826 Sqn FAA  7 May 1940 Arrived
No 815 Sqn FAA 16 May 1940 Departed
No 826 Sqn FAA 21 May 1940 Departed
No 235 Sqn 26 May 1940 Departed
No 826 Sqn FAA 29 May 1940 Arrived
No 235 Sqn 24 May 1940 Arrived from RAF Thorney Island
No 826 Sqn FAA  7 Oct 1940 Departed
'K' Flt, No 1 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit  6 Sep 1940 Arrived
'M' Flt, No 1 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit 27 Sep 1940 Arrived
'K' Flt, No 1 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit 7 Oct 1940 Departed
'M' Flt, No 1 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit  7 Oct 1940 Departed
No 1 Mobile Torpedo Servicing Unit 3 Nov 1940 Departed
No 1403 (Meteorological) Flt xx Nov 1940 Arrived
No 221 Sqn 21 Nov 1940 Arrived
No 252 Sqn 21 Nov 1940 Arrived
No 252 Sqn  1 Dec 1940 Departed

Source - RAF Bircham Newton ORB and RAF Squadron (C G Jefford)

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This page was last updated on 05/07/20

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