Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation
No 20 Sqn Personnel, aircraft and locations
[Jul 1920 | Aug 1920 | Apr 1921 | Jul 1921 | Jul 1922 | May 1923 | Jul 1923 | Jan 1924 | May 1924 | 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 | Jan-Dec 1940 | Jan-Dec 1941]
Nominal Roll of Officers on strength on arrival in India
Rank | Name | Branch | Notes |
Maj | John C Russell | A | Officer Commanding |
Capt | H P Lale | A | |
Capt | Charles E W Foster | A | |
Capt | G E Eastwood | A | |
Capt | G H Salaman | T | Armament |
Lt | Denis R Mullen | Ad | |
2 Lt | E Bryant | Ad | |
Lt | E G Mandall | A | |
Lt | H E Young | A | |
Lt | Horace G P Ovenden | A | |
Lt | Charles F Toogood | A | |
Lt | George H Allison | A | |
Lt | R B Tapp | A | |
2 Lt | Donald E Hall | A & S | |
Lt | Edmund A C Britton | A | |
Lt | Herbert J Gye | A | |
Lt | N P G Griddons | A | |
Lt | H E Foster | A | |
Lt | H E Hawkins | A | |
Lt | J Talbot | A | |
2 Lt | G N Richmond | A | |
Lt | J E Goudey | A | |
Lt | H J Austin | A | |
Lt | A G Lawe | O | |
Lt | Basil A Foord | O | MC |
Lt | Silvio P B de Moyse Bucknall | O | |
Lt | George McCormack | O | |
Lt | Thomas L Jones | O | |
2 Lt | Maurice St J Ross | O | |
Lt | Clement G Boothroyd | O | |
Lt | William McGowan | O | |
Lt | F H O'Connor | O | |
Lt | C D Ball | O | |
Lt | R E Nixon | O | |
Lt | M Thorley | O | |
Lt | J S Blick | O | |
Lt | D M Calder | O | |
Lt | C B Edwards | O | |
Lt | D H Sutherland | O | |
Hon Capt | P E Bishop | A | |
2 Lt | D M Lapraik | O | |
2 Lt | H Fielden | O | |
2 Lt | W Grant | O | |
2 Lt | C Kingsland | O |
Personnel Movements: Jan - Jul 1936
Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
Maj | John C Russell | xx Jul 1919 | Assumed temporary command of No 5 Wing |
Capt | H P Lale | xx Jul 1919 | Assumed temporary command of No 20 Sqn |
Capt | Arthur W F Glenny | 16 Sep 1919 | Arrived on posting and assumed command of 'C' Flight at Risalpur |
Capt | G E Eastwood | 26 Sep 1919 | Evacuated to the UK |
Plt Off | H Fielden | 1 Feb 1920 | Admitted to hospital after being wounded in action |
Despite the RAF introducing its own rank titles on 4 August 1919, the ORB continued to use the old 'Army' ranks until about February 1920.
Source - No 20 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/258)
Organisational Movements: Jun 1919 - Jul 1920
Date | Notes |
16 Jun 1919 | Squadron arrived in India, from France, establishing itself at Risalpur |
14 Jul 1919 | First Bristol Fighter assembled and test flown |
21 Jul 1919 | Squadron moved to Parachinar |
xx Sep 1919 | 'B' Flight detached to Tank |
26 Sep 1919 | 'C' Flight moved from Risalpur to Parachinar |
23 Sep 1919 | HQ and 'A' Flight departed for Bannu via Kohat |
26 Sep 1919 | HQ and 'A' Flight arrived at Bannu |
xx Dec 1919 | Squadron moved from Bannu to Tank |
18 Jul 1920 | Squadron moved to Parachinar |
Source - No 20 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/258)
Aircraft operated | Location | Command/Group |
Bristol F2B Fighter | Parachinar, India | Indian Group |
Rank | Name | Date | Branch | Notes |
Sqn Ldr | John H S Tyssen | 22 Apr 1920 | A | Officer Commanding, MC; later AVM |
Flt Lt | John C Russell | 26 Apr 1919 | A | DSO; later A/Cdre |
Flt Lt | Charles E W Foster | 25 Jan 1919 | A | |
Flt Lt | Arthur W F Glenny | 9 Sep 1919 | A | MC, DFC; later A/Cdre |
Flt Lt | Thomas F W Thompson | 12 Jan 1920 | A | |
Flt Lt | Herbert McW Daniel | 20 Oct 1919 | Med | Medical Officer, MB |
Fg Off | James D Hewett | 8 Dec 1919 | A | |
Fg Off | Horace G P Ovenden | 28 Feb 1919 | A | |
Fg Off | Robert M Foster | 15 Dec 1919 | A | DFC |
Obs Off | Norman S Dougall | 28 Jan 1920 | O | DFC |
Fg Off | Maxwell H Findlay | 25 Dec 1919 | A | DFC, DSC |
Fg Off | Denis R Mullen | xx xxx 1919 | Ad | |
Fg Off | George E Randall | 28 Jun 1918 | A | DFC |
Fg Off | Guy M Knocker | 12 Jan 1920 | A | |
Fg Off | Charles F Toogood | 28 Feb 1919 | A | |
Fg Off | Arthur L Fiddament | 12 Jan 1920 | A | later AVM |
Fg Off | William E Staton | 12 Jan 1920 | A | MC, DFC; later AVM |
Fg Off | Bertrand R Harris | 31 Dec 1918 | A | |
Fg Off | Leslie G Harvey | 12 Jan 1920 | A | later AM |
Fg Off | John L Kirby | 23 Mar 1920 | A | later A/Cdre |
Fg Off | George H Allison | 1 Mar 1919 | A | |
Fg Off | Hubert E Winch | 12 Jan 1920 | A | |
Obs Off | Thomas L Jones | 30 Apr 1919 | O | |
Fg Off | Malcolm H Armstrong | 10 Mar 1920 | T | |
Fg Off | Edmund A C Britton | 29 Mar 1919 | A | |
Fg Off | William McGowan | 29 Mar 1920 | O | |
Fg Off | Sidney C Rose | 12 Jan 1920 | T | |
Fg Off | George McCormack | 23 Apr 1919 | O | |
Fg Off | Basil A Foord | 11 Nov 1918 | O | MC |
Fg Off | George C Maillard | 15 Dec 1919 | Stores | |
Fg Off | Clement G Boothroyd | 6 Jun 1918 | O | |
Fg Off | Donald E Hall | 28 Feb 1919 | A & S | |
Fg Off | Herbert J Gye | 25 Sep 1918 | A | |
Fg Off | Maurice St J Ross | 30 Apr 1919 | O | |
Fg Off | Silvio P B de Moyse Bucknall | 27 Sep 1918 | O |
Source - July 1920 Air Force List
Aircraft operated | Location | Command/Group |
Bristol F2B Fighter | Parachinar, India | Indian Group |
Rank | Name | Branch | Date | Notes |
Sqn Ldr | John H S Tyssen | A | 22 Apr 1920 | Officer Commanding, MC; later AVM |
Flt Lt | John C Russell | A | 26 Apr 1919 | DSO; later A/Cdre |
Flt Lt | Charles E W Foster | A | 25 Jan 1919 | |
Flt Lt | Arthur W F Glenny | A | 9 Sep 1919 | MC, DFC; later A/Cdre |
Fg Off | James D Hewett | A | 8 Dec 1919 | |
Fg Off | Horace G P Ovenden | A | 28 Feb 1919 | |
Fg Off | Robert M Foster | A | 15 Dec 1919 | DFC |
Obs Off | Norman S Dougall | O | 28 Jan 1920 | DFC |
Fg Off | Maxwell H Findlay | A | 25 Dec 1919 | DFC, DSC |
Fg Off | Denis R Mullen | Ad | xx xxx 1919 | |
Fg Off | George E Randall | A | 28 Jun 1918 | DFC |
Fg Off | Guy M Knocker | A | 12 Jan 1920 | |
Fg Off | Charles F Toogood | A | 28 Feb 1919 | |
Fg Off | Arthur L Fiddament | A | 12 Jan 1920 | later AVM |
Fg Off | William E Staton | A | 12 Jan 1920 | MC, DFC; later AVM |
Fg Off | Bertrand R Harris | A | 31 Dec 1918 | |
Fg Off | Leslie G Harvey | A | 12 Jan 1920 | later AM |
Fg Off | John L Kirby | A | 23 Mar 1920 | later A/Cdre |
Fg Off | George H Allison | A | 1 Mar 1919 | |
Fg Off | Hubert E Winch | A | 12 Jan 1920 | |
Obs Off | Thomas L Jones | O | 30 Apr 1919 | |
Fg Off | Malcolm H Armstrong | T | 10 Mar 1920 | |
Fg Off | Edmund A C Britton | A | 29 Mar 1919 | DFC |
Fg Off | William McGowan | O | 29 Mar 1920 | |
Fg Off | George McCormack | O | 23 Apr 1919 | |
Fg Off | Basil A Foord | O | 11 Nov 1918 | MC |
Fg Off | George C Maillard | Stores | 15 Dec 1919 | |
Fg Off | Clement G Boothroyd | O | 6 Jun 1918 | |
Fg Off | Donald E Hall | A & S | 28 Feb 1919 | |
Fg Off | Herbert J Gye | A | 25 Sep 1918 | |
Fg Off | Maurice St J Ross | O | 30 Apr 1919 | |
Fg Off | Silvio P B de Moyse Bucknall | O | 27 Sep 1918 | |
Medical Branch | ||||
Flt Lt | Herbert McW Daniel | Med | 20 Oct 1919 | Medical Officer, MB |
Source - August 1920 Air Force List
Personnel Movements: Aug 1920 - Apr 1921
Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
Fg Off | Irving Bell | 19 Jan 1921 | Failed to return from a mail/stores flight but later returned safely |
Fg Off | Smythe | 19 Jan 1921 | Failed to return from a mail/stores flight but later returned safely |
Source - No 20 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/258)
Organisational Movements: Aug 1920 - Apr 1921
Date | Notes |
11 Apr 1921 | Squadron moved to Parachinar |
Source - No 20 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/258)
Aircraft operated | Location | Command/Group |
Bristol F2B Fighter | Parachinar, India | Indian Group |
Rank | Name | Branch | Date | Notes |
Sqn Ldr | John H S Tyssen | A | 22 Apr 1920 | Officer Commanding, MC; later AVM |
Flt Lt | Charles E W Foster | A | 25 Jan 1919 | |
Flt Lt | Leslie A K Butt | SO | 24 Jan 1919 | |
Flt Lt | Arthur W F Glenny | A | 9 Sep 1919 | MC, DFC; later A/Cdre |
Flt Lt | John B Fox | A | 14 Sep 1920 | |
Fg Off | James D Hewett | A | 8 Dec 1919 | MC |
Fg Off | Horace G P Ovenden | A | 28 Feb 1919 | |
Fg Off | Robert M Foster | A | 15 Dec 1919 | DFC; later ACM |
Fg Off | Clifford H Bird | A | 6 Jan 1921 | |
Fg Off | Denis R Mullen | Ad | xx xxx 1919 | |
Fg Off | George E Randall | A | 28 Jun 1918 | DFC |
Fg Off | Guy M Knocker | A | 12 Jan 1920 | |
Fg Off | George R C Oliver | Ad | 6 Jan 1921 | |
Fg Off | Arthur L Fiddament | A | 12 Jan 1920 | later AVM |
Fg Off | Joseph Buckley | A | 22 Dec 1920 | |
Fg Off | William E Staton | A | 12 Jan 1920 | MC, DFC; later AVM |
Fg Off | Bertrand R Harris | A | 31 Dec 1918 | |
Fg Off | Cyril R Smythe | A | 11 Dec 1920 | |
Fg Off | Leslie G Harvey | A | 12 Jan 1920 | later AM |
Fg Off | George H Allison | A | 1 Mar 1919 | |
Fg Off | Hubert E Winch | A | 12 Jan 1920 | |
Fg Off | James P Cafferkey | A | 8 Dec 1920 | |
Fg Off | Edgar J Leach | T | 11 Feb 1921 | |
Fg Off | Malcolm H Armstrong | T | 10 Mar 1920 | |
Fg Off | Edmund A C Britton | A | 29 Mar 1919 | |
Fg Off | Humphrey G Sullivan | A | 13 Nov 1920 | |
Fg Off | Maurice St J Ross | O | 30 Apr 1919 | |
Medical Branch | ||||
Flt Lt | Herbert McW Daniel | Med | 20 Oct 1919 | Medical Officer, MB |
Source - April 1921 Air Force List
Aircraft operated | Location | Command/Group |
Bristol F2B Fighter | Parachinar, India | Indian Group |
Rank | Name | Branch | Date | Notes |
Sqn Ldr | John H S Tyssen | A | 22 Apr 1920 | Officer Commanding, MC; later AVM |
Flt Lt | John C Slessor | A | 4 May 1921 | MC; later MRAF |
Flt Lt | Charles E W Foster | A | 25 Jan 1919 | |
Flt Lt | Arthur W F Glenny | A | 9 Sep 1919 | MC, DFC; later A/Cdre |
Flt Lt | John B Fox | A | 14 Sep 1920 | |
Fg Off | James D Hewett | A | 8 Dec 1919 | MC |
Fg Off | Alfred W Saunders | A | 1 Apr 1921 | DFC |
Fg Off | Robert M Foster | A | 15 Dec 1919 | DFC; later ACM |
Fg Off | Clifford H Bird | A | 6 Jan 1921 | |
Fg Off | Guy M Knocker | A | 12 Jan 1920 | |
Fg Off | George R C Oliver | Ad | 6 Jan 1921 | |
Fg Off | Arthur L Fiddament | A | 12 Jan 1920 | later AVM |
Fg Off | Joseph Buckley | A | 22 Dec 1920 | |
Fg Off | William E Staton | A | 12 Jan 1920 | MC, DFC; later AVM |
Fg Off | Bertrand R Harris | A | 31 Dec 1918 | |
Fg Off | Cyril R Smythe | A | 11 Dec 1920 | |
Fg Off | Leslie G Harvey | A | 12 Jan 1920 | later AM |
Fg Off | Raymond E Bright | A | 8 Mar 1921 | |
Fg Off | Hubert E Winch | A | 12 Jan 1920 | |
Fg Off | James P Cafferkey | A | 8 Dec 1920 | |
Fg Off | Malcolm H Armstrong | T | 10 Mar 1920 | |
Fg Off | Edmund A C Britton | A | 29 Mar 1919 | |
Fg Off | Maurice St J Ross | O | 30 Apr 1919 | |
Fg Off | Gerald A Elliott | A | 8 Mar 1921 | |
Fg Off | Edmund C Usher-Somers | A | 8 Mar 1921 | |
Fg Off | Robert V D White | A | 8 Mar 1921 | |
Stores Officer | ||||
Fg Off | George W Sturman | Stores | 26 Jan 1921 | |
Medical Branch | ||||
Flt Lt | Abraham Briscoe | Med | 20 Dec 1920 | Medical Officer, MB |
Source - July 1921 Air Force List
Branches: A = Aeroplane, A & S = Aeroplane and Seaplane, Ad = Administrative, Med = Medical, O = Observer, T = Technical
Personnel Movements: Jul 1921 - Jul 1922
Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
Fg Off | J B Fox | 3 Mar 1922 | Killed in a flying accident |
Fg Off | J Buckley | 3 Mar 1922 | Killed in a flying accident |
Sgt | A B Hemmings | 3 Mar 1922 | Killed in a flying accident |
AC | Richadson | 3 Mar 1922 | Killed in a flying accident |
Source - No 20 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/258)
Organisational Movements: Jul 1921 - Jul 1922
Date | Notes |
17 Oct 1921 | Squadron moved to Ambala |
Source - No 20 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/258)
Aircraft operated | Location | Command/Group |
Bristol F2B Fighter | Ambala, India | No 2 (Indian) Wing |
Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
Sqn Ldr | John H S Tyssen | 22 Apr 1920 | Officer Commanding, MC; later AVM |
Flt Lt | Ralph T Leather | 22 Sep 1921 | AFC |
Flt Lt | John C Slessor | 4 May 1921 | MC; later MRAF |
Flt Lt | Charles R Keary | 15 Apr 1922 | |
Fg Off | Reginald R Scar | 31 Jan 1922 | DSC |
Fg Off | Malcolm D Nares | 27 Sep 1921 | AFC |
Fg Off | Alfred W Saunders | 1 Apr 1921 | DFC |
Fg Off | Robert M Foster | 15 Dec 1919 | DFC; later ACM |
Fg Off | Clifford H Bird | 6 Jan 1921 | |
Fg Off | George R C Oliver | 6 Jan 1921 | |
Fg Off | Arthur L Fiddament | 12 Jan 1920 | later AVM |
Fg Off | Cyril R Smythe | 11 Dec 1920 | |
Fg Off | Leslie G Harvey | 12 Jan 1920 | later AM |
Fg Off | Harold F Luck | 6 May 1922 | |
Fg Off | Gerald A Elliott | 8 Mar 1921 | |
Fg Off | Edmund C Usher-Somers | 8 Mar 1921 | |
Fg Off | Robert V D White | 8 Mar 1921 | |
Fg Off | William G Nicholls | 2 Jun 1922 | |
Plt Off | Cecil D Robertson | 21 Jun 1922 | MM |
Stores Officer | |||
Fg Off | George W Sturman | 26 Jan 1921 | |
Medical Branch | |||
Flt Lt | Phillip C Livingston | 16 Oct 1921 | DPH |
Source - July 1922 Air Force List
Personnel Movements: Jul 1922 - May 1923
Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
Fg Off | D R Loch | 7 Apr 1923 | Killed in a flying accident |
Fg Off | H M Stringer | 7 Apr 1923 | Killed in a flying accident |
Source - No 20 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/258)
Organisational Movements: Jul 1922 - May 1923
Date | Notes |
24 Oct 1922 | Squadron moved to Quetta |
Source - No 20 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/258)
Aircraft operated | Location | Command/Group |
Bristol F2B Fighter | Quetta, India | No 3 (Indian) Wing |
Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
Sqn Ldr | Ralph T Leather | 22 Sep 1921 | Officer Commanding, AFC |
Flt Lt | Charles R Keary | 15 Apr 1922 | |
Flt Lt | Malcolm D Nares | 27 Sep 1921 | AFC |
Flt Lt | Paul R T J M I C Chamberlayne | 15 Feb 1923 | AFC; later A/Cdre |
Fg Off | Reginald R Scar | 31 Jan 1922 | DSC |
Fg Off | Robert M Foster | 15 Dec 1919 | DFC; later ACM |
Fg Off | George R C Oliver | 6 Jan 1921 | |
Fg Off | Cyril R Smythe | 11 Dec 1920 | |
Fg Off | Joseph H Hargroves | 3 Feb 1923 | |
Fg Off | Leslie G Harvey | 12 Jan 1920 | later AM |
Fg Off | John W Sole | 5 Jul 1922 | |
Fg Off | Harold F Luck | 6 May 1922 | |
Fg Off | Edmund C Usher-Somers | 8 Mar 1921 | Killed in a flying accident - 14 May 1924 |
Fg Off | Robert V D White | 8 Mar 1921 | |
Fg Off | Beresford C W Windle | 13 Dec 1922 | DFC |
Fg Off | William G Nicholls | 2 Jun 1922 | |
Fg Off | Alfred J Carlielle | 14 Mar 1923 | |
Fg Off | Cecil D Robertson | 21 Jun 1922 | MM |
Stores Officer | |||
Fg Off | George W Sturman | 26 Jan 1921 | |
Medical Branch | |||
Fg Off | Edward C K H Foreman | 28 Jan 1923 |
Source - May 1923 Air Force List
Aircraft operated | Location | Command/Group |
Bristol F2B Fighter | Quetta, India | No 3 (Indian) Wing |
Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
Sqn Ldr | Ralph T Leather | 22 Sep 1921 | Officer Commanding, AFC |
Flt Lt | Charles R Keary | 15 Apr 1922 | |
Flt Lt | Malcolm D Nares | 27 Sep 1921 | AFC |
Flt Lt | Paul R T J M I C Chamberlayne | 15 Feb 1923 | AFC; later A/Cdre |
Fg Off | Reginald R Scar | 31 Jan 1922 | DSC |
Fg Off | Robert M Foster | 15 Dec 1919 | DFC; later ACM |
Fg Off | George R C Oliver | 6 Jan 1921 | |
Fg Off | Cyril R Smythe | 11 Dec 1920 | |
Fg Off | Joseph H Hargroves | 3 Feb 1923 | |
Fg Off | Leslie G Harvey | 12 Jan 1920 | later AM |
Fg Off | Martin W Nolan | 15 Apr 1923 | |
Fg Off | John W Sole | 5 Jul 1922 | |
Fg Off | Harold F Luck | 6 May 1922 | |
Fg Off | Edmund C Usher-Somers | 8 Mar 1921 | Killed in a flying accident - 14 May 1924 |
Fg Off | Robert V D White | 8 Mar 1921 | |
Fg Off | Robert W H Cook | 5 Apr 1923 | |
Fg Off | Alexander P C Hannay | 18 Apr 1923 | MC |
Fg Off | Beresford C W Windle | 13 Dec 1922 | DFC |
Fg Off | Cecil D Robertson | 21 Jun 1922 | MM |
Fg Off | Sidney H Cooper | 23 Feb 1922 | |
Medical Branch | |||
Fg Off | Edward C K H Foreman | 28 Jan 1923 |
Source - July 1923 Air Force List
Aircraft operated | Location | Command/Group |
Bristol F2B Fighter | Quetta, India | No 3 (Indian) Wing |
Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
Sqn Ldr | Ralph T Leather | 22 Sep 1921 | Officer Commanding, AFC |
Flt Lt | Malcolm D Nares | 27 Sep 1921 | AFC |
Flt Lt | Paul R T J M I C Chamberlayne | 15 Feb 1923 | AFC; later A/Cdre |
Flt Lt | Charles R Davidson | 12 Nov 1923 | MC |
Fg Off | Percy H Davy | 23 Nov 1923 | |
Fg Off | George R C Oliver | 6 Jan 1921 | |
Fg Off | Cyril R Smythe | 11 Dec 1920 | |
Fg Off | Joseph H Hargroves | 3 Feb 1923 | |
Fg Off | Walter R Day | 15 Oct 1923 | |
Fg Off | Harold F Luck | 6 May 1922 | |
Fg Off | Edmund C Usher-Somers | 8 Mar 1921 | Killed in a flying accident - 14 May 1924 |
Fg Off | Robert V D White | 8 Mar 1921 | |
Fg Off | Robert W H Cook | 5 Apr 1923 | |
Fg Off | Alexander P C Hannay | 18 Apr 1923 | MC |
Fg Off | Cecil D Robertson | 31 Jan 1922 | MM |
Fg Off | John N Jaques | 14 Sep 1923 | |
Fg Off | 14 Sep 1923 | later AM | |
Fg Off | Arthur L Harris | 15 Oct 1923 | |
Fg Off | Sidney H Cooper | 23 Feb 1922 | |
Plt Off | Arthur King-Lewis | 14 Sep 1923 | |
Stores Branch | |||
Fg Off | Herbert A Lotherington | 14 Sep 1923 | |
Medical Branch | |||
Fg Off | Edward C K H Foreman | 28 Jan 1923 |
Source - January 1924 Air Force List
Personnel Movements: Jan - May 1924
Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
LAC | A V Stevens | 25 Jan 1924 | Killed in a flying accident |
Fg Off | John N Jaques | 25 Jan 1924 | Injured in a flying accident |
Source - No 20 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/258)
Aircraft operated | Location | Command/Group |
Bristol F2B Fighter | Peshawar, India | No 3 (Indian) Wing |
Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
Sqn Ldr | Cyril B Cooke | 23 Jun 1924 | Officer Commanding; later AM |
Flt Lt | Malcolm D Nares | 27 Sep 1921 | AFC |
Flt Lt | Paul R T J M I C Chamberlayne | 15 Feb 1923 | AFC; later A/Cdre |
Flt Lt | Charles R Davidson | 12 Nov 1923 | MC |
Fg Off | John A Hollis | 16 Jan 1924 | |
Fg Off | George R C Oliver | 6 Jan 1921 | |
Fg Off | Cyril R Smythe | 11 Dec 1920 | |
Fg Off | Joseph H Hargroves | 3 Feb 1923 | |
Fg Off | Hugh L P Lester | 18 Jan 1924 | |
Fg Off | Lawrence Darvall | 19 Feb 1924 | MC; later AM |
Fg Off | Walter R Day | 15 Oct 1923 | |
Fg Off | Edmund C Usher-Somers | 8 Mar 1921 | Killed in a flying accident - 14 May 1924 |
Fg Off | Robert V D White | 8 Mar 1921 | |
Fg Off | Robert W H Cook | 5 Apr 1923 | |
Fg Off | Alexander P C Hannay | 18 Apr 1923 | MC |
Fg Off | Cecil D Robertson | 31 Jan 1922 | MM |
Fg Off | John N Jaques | 14 Sep 1923 | |
Fg Off | 14 Sep 1923 | later AM | |
Fg Off | Arthur L Harris | 15 Oct 1923 | |
Fg Off | Sidney H Cooper | 23 Feb 1922 | |
Fg Off | Brownlow R C Coope | 16 Jan 1924 | |
Fg Off | Arthur King-Lewis | 14 Sep 1923 | |
Plt Off | William J E Rodwell | 14 Sep 1923 | |
Stores Branch | |||
Fg Off | Herbert A Lotherington | 14 Sep 1923 | |
Medical Branch | |||
Fg Off | Edward C K H Foreman | 28 Jan 1923 |
Source - May 1924 Air Force List
Organisational Movements: May 1924 - Jul 1925
Date | Notes |
5 Jan 1925 | Squadron moved to Peshawar |
22 May 1925 | Operational Flights moved to Kohat |
Source - No 20 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/258)
Source - January 1925 Air Force List
Source - February 1925 Air Force List
Source - March 1925 Air Force List
Source - April 1925 Air Force List
Source - May 1925 Air Force List
Source - June 1925 Air Force List
Aircraft operated | Location | Command/Group |
Bristol F2B Fighter | Kohat, India (HQ remained at Peshawar) | No 3 (Indian) Wing |
Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
Sqn Ldr | Cyril B Cooke | 23 Jun 1924 | Officer Commanding; later AM |
Flt Lt | Cecil A Stevens | 23 Sep 1924 | MC; later AVM |
Flt Lt | 15 Feb 1923 | AFC; later A/Cdre | |
Flt Lt | Charles E Davidson | 23 Nov 1923 | MC |
Fg Off | Thomas Humble | 27 Nov 1924 | |
Fg Off | Joseph H Hargroves | 3 Feb 1923 | |
Fg Off | Hugh L P Lester | 18 Jan 1924 | |
Fg Off | Amos F James | 21 Jan 1925 | |
Fg Off | Lawrence Darvall | 19 Feb 1924 | MC; later AM |
Fg Off | Robert W H Cook | 5 Apr 1923 | |
Fg Off | John N Jaques | 14 Sep 1923 | |
Fg Off | Colin W Weedon | 14 Sep 1923 | later AM |
Fg Off | Geoffrey R C Spencer | 12 Sep 1924 | later AVM |
Fg Off | Edgar T O Hughes | 23 Sep 1924 | |
Fg Off | Harold R Holdway | 14 Apr 1925 | |
Fg Off | Arthur King-Lewis | 14 Sep 1923 | |
Fg Off | Arthur B D Liveck | 1 May 1925 | |
Plt Off | Roderick F de H Reed | 30 Dec 1924 | |
Plt Off | Leslie R Shaw | 30 Dec 1924 | |
Plt Off | Robert K Coupland | 27 Feb 1925 | |
Stores Branch | |||
Fg Off | Robert Lamb | 5 Jan 1925 | |
Medical Branch | |||
Flt Lt | William E Barnes | 2 Jan 1925 |
Source - July 1925 Air Force List
Aircraft operated | Location | Command/Group |
Bristol F2B Fighter | Peshawar, India | No 1 (Indian) Wing |
Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
Sqn Ldr | 23 Jun 1924 | Officer Commanding; later AVM | |
Flt Lt | Cecil A Stevens | 23 Sep 1924 | MC; later AVM |
Flt Lt | 15 Feb 1923 | AFC; later A/Cdre | |
Flt Lt | Charles E Davidson | 23 Nov 1923 | MC |
Hon Flt Lt (Fg Off) | Freke W Wiseman-Clarke | 15 Oct 1925 | |
Hon Flt Lt (Fg Off) | Leslie S Hamilton | 15 Oct 1925 | |
Fg Off | Amos F James | 21 Jan 1925 | |
Fg Off | Lawrence Darvall | 19 Feb 1924 | MC; later AM |
Fg Off | Charles Dollery | 6 Oct 1925 | |
Fg Off | John R Wolley | 22 Mar 1925 | |
Fg Off | Colin W Weedon | 14 Sep 1923 | later AM |
Fg Off | Geoffrey R C Spencer | 12 Sep 1924 | later AVM |
Fg Off | Dennis C Prance | 6 Jan 1926 | |
Fg Off | Robert L Yates | 8 Jun 1925 | |
Fg Off | Harold R Holdway | 14 Apr 1925 | |
Fg Off | Reginald W Pilling | 15 Oct 1925 | |
Fg Off | Arthur B Smith | 18 Nov 1925 | MC |
Fg Off | Arthur King-Lewis | 14 Sep 1923 | |
Fg Off | James A Mollison | 20 Feb 1925 | |
Fg Off | Leslie R Shaw | 30 Dec 1924 | |
Fg Off | Robert K Coupland | 27 Feb 1925 | |
Stores Branch | |||
Fg Off | Robert Lamb | 5 Jan 1925 | |
Medical Branch | |||
Flt Lt | William E Barnes | 2 Jan 1925 |
Source - March 1926 Air Force List
Aircraft operated | Location | Command/Group |
Bristol F2B Fighter | Peshawar, India | No 1 (Indian) Wing |
Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
Sqn Ldr | 23 Jun 1924 | Officer Commanding; later AVM | |
Flt Lt | Cecil A Stevens | 23 Sep 1924 | MC; later AVM |
Flt Lt | 15 Feb 1923 | AFC; later A/Cdre | |
Flt Lt | Charles E Davidson | 23 Nov 1923 | MC |
Hon Flt Lt (Fg Off) | Freke W Wiseman-Clarke | 15 Oct 1925 | |
Hon Flt Lt (Fg Off) | Leslie S Hamilton | 15 Oct 1925 | |
Fg Off | Amos F James | 21 Jan 1925 | |
Fg Off | Lawrence Darvall | 19 Feb 1924 | MC; later AM |
Fg Off | Charles Dollery | 6 Oct 1925 | |
Fg Off | John R Wolley | 22 Mar 1925 | |
Fg Off | Colin W Weedon | 14 Sep 1923 | later AM |
Fg Off | Geoffrey R C Spencer | 12 Sep 1924 | later AVM |
Fg Off | Dennis C Prance | 6 Jan 1926 | |
Fg Off | Robert L Yates | 8 Jun 1925 | |
Fg Off | Harold R Holdway | 14 Apr 1925 | |
Fg Off | Reginald W Pilling | 15 Oct 1925 | |
Fg Off | Arthur B Smith | 18 Nov 1925 | MC |
Fg Off | Arthur King-Lewis | 14 Sep 1923 | |
Fg Off | James A Mollison | 20 Feb 1925 | |
Fg Off | Leslie R Shaw | 30 Dec 1924 | |
Fg Off | Robert K Coupland | 27 Feb 1925 | |
Fg Off | Phillip H Nicholls | 15 Dec 1925 | Died from injuries - 5 Oct 1926 |
Stores Branch | |||
Fg Off | Robert Lamb | 5 Jan 1925 | |
Medical Branch | |||
Flt Lt | William E Barnes | 2 Jan 1925 |
Source - July 1926 Air Force List
Aircraft operated | Location | Command/Group |
Bristol F2B Fighter | Peshawar, India | RAF India/No 1 (Indian) Wing |
Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
Sqn Ldr | John V Steel | 23 Jul 1926 | Officer Commanding, OBE |
Flt Lt | Cecil A Stevens | 23 Sep 1924 | MC; later AVM |
Flt Lt | 15 Feb 1923 | AFC; later A/Cdre | |
Flt Lt | Charles E Davidson | 23 Nov 1923 | MC |
Flt Lt | Lawrence Darvall | 19 Feb 1924 | MC; later AM |
Hon Flt Lt (Fg Off) | Freke W Wiseman-Clarke | 15 Oct 1925 | |
Hon Flt Lt (Fg Off) | Leslie S Hamilton | 15 Oct 1925 | |
Fg Off | Charles Dollery | 6 Oct 1925 | Armament duties |
Fg Off | John R Wolley | 22 Mar 1925 | |
Fg Off | Colin W Weedon | 14 Sep 1923 | later AM |
Fg Off | Geoffrey R C Spencer | 12 Sep 1924 | later AVM |
Fg Off | Dennis C Prance | 6 Jan 1926 | Pilotage (Navigation) duties |
Fg Off | Harold R Holdway | 14 Apr 1925 | |
Fg Off | Reginald W Pilling | 15 Oct 1925 | |
Fg Off | Arthur B Smith | 18 Nov 1925 | MC |
Fg Off | Arthur King-Lewis | 14 Sep 1923 | |
Fg Off | Charles R Hancock | 22 Jul 1926 | |
Fg Off | Gwyther W P Irwin | 22 Jul 1926 | |
Fg Off | Robert K Coupland | 27 Feb 1925 | |
Plt Off | Robert L Burnett | 21 Sep 1926 | |
Plt Off | Ellacott L S Ward | 22 Sep 1926 | later A/Cdre |
Stores Branch | |||
Fg Off | Robert Lamb | 5 Jan 1925 | |
Medical Branch | |||
Flt Lt | William E Barnes | 2 Jan 1925 |
Source - December 1926 Air Force List
The squadron records for the period 25 January 1924 to 3 Jun 1927 are missing from the ORB
Organisational Movements: Jan - May 1924
Date | Notes |
4 Jun 1927 | Detachment advance party proceeded to Shabkadar to assist No 5 Sqn |
6 Jun 1927 | Detachment proceeded to Shabkadar to assist No 5 Sqn |
10 Jun 1927 | Detachment returned to Peshawar |
Source - No 20 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/258)
Aircraft operated | Location | Command/Group |
Bristol F2B Fighter | Peshawar, India | RAF India/No 1 (Indian) Wing |
Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
Sqn Ldr | John V Steel | 23 Jul 1926 | Officer Commanding, OBE |
Flt Lt | Charles E Davidson | 23 Nov 1923 | MC |
Flt Lt | Frederick H Laurence | 19 Apr 1927 | MC |
Flt Lt |
James W Young |
5 Apr 1927 | Signals duties, MBE |
Flt Lt | 1 Jun 1927 | later A/Cdre | |
Hon Flt Lt (Fg Off) | Freke W Wiseman-Clarke | 15 Oct 1925 | |
Hon Flt Lt (Fg Off) | Leslie S Hamilton | 15 Oct 1925 | |
Hon Flt Lt (Fg Off) | Albert E G Forrest | 16 Dec 1926 | |
Fg Off | Lionel J Booth | 11 Dec 1926 | Armament duties |
Fg Off | Colin W Weedon | 14 Sep 1923 | later AM |
Fg Off | Geoffrey R C Spencer | 12 Sep 1924 | later AVM |
Fg Off | Dennis C Prance | 6 Jan 1926 | Pilotage (Navigation) duties |
Fg Off | Harold R Holdway | 14 Apr 1925 | |
Fg Off | Reginald W Pilling | 15 Oct 1925 | |
Fg Off | Arthur B Smith | 18 Nov 1925 | MC |
Fg Off | Arthur King-Lewis | 14 Sep 1923 | |
Fg Off | Gwyther W P Irwin | 22 Jul 1926 | |
Fg Off | Charles R Hancock | 22 Jul 1926 | |
Fg Off | Robert K Coupland | 27 Feb 1925 | |
Fg Off | Edward G H Russell-Stracey | 7 Dec 1926 | |
Plt Off | Ellacott L S Ward | 22 Sep 1926 | later A/Cdre |
Stores Branch | |||
Fg Off | Percy J Mote | 7 Dec 1926 | |
Medical Branch | |||
Flt Lt | Alexander Dickson | 26 Oct 1926 |
Source - July 1927 Air Force List
The squadron records for the period 10 Jun 1927 to 6 Apr 1930 are missing from the ORB
Aircraft operated | Location | Command/Group |
Bristol F2B Fighter | Peshawar, India | RAF India/No 1 (Indian) Wing |
Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
Sqn Ldr | 17 Mar 1928 | Officer Commanding, DFC, AFC; later A/Cdre | |
Flt Lt | 1 Jun 1927 | later A/Cdre | |
Flt Lt | Geoffrey R C Spencer | 12 Sep 1924 | later AVM |
Hon Flt Lt (Fg Off) | Freke W Wiseman-Clarke | 15 Oct 1925 | |
Hon Flt Lt (Fg Off) | Leslie S Hamilton | 15 Oct 1925 | |
Hon Flt Lt (Fg Off) | Albert E G Forrest | 16 Dec 1926 | |
Fg Off | Lionel J Booth | 11 Dec 1926 | Armament duties |
Fg Off | Reginald W Pilling | 15 Oct 1925 | |
Fg Off | Arthur B Smith | 18 Nov 1925 | MC |
Fg Off | Charles R Hancock | 22 Jul 1926 | |
Fg Off | Gwyther W P Irwin | 22 Jul 1926 | |
Fg Off | Robert K Coupland | 27 Feb 1925 | |
Fg Off | Reginald H Holmes | 4 Apr 1928 | Signals duties |
Fg Off | 28 Feb 1928 | Armament duties; later A/Cdre | |
Fg Off | Walter R J Spittle | 20 Jun 1927 | |
Fg Off | Edward G H Russell-Stracey | 7 Dec 1926 | |
Fg Off | Ellacott L S Ward | 22 Sep 1926 | later A/Cdre |
Fg Off | Lee C L Murray | 31 Jan 1928 | |
Fg Off | Geoffrey M Buxton | 23 Feb 1928 | |
Fg Off | James C Cunningham | 10 May 1928 | |
Stores Branch | |||
Fg Off | Percy J Mote | 7 Dec 1926 | |
Medical Branch | |||
Flt Lt | Christopher T O'Neill | 20 Sep 1927 | OBE, MB |
Source - July 1928 Air Force List
Aircraft operated | Location | Command/Group |
Bristol F2B Fighter | Peshawar, India | RAF India/No 1 (Indian) Wing |
Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
Sqn Ldr | 17 Mar 1928 | Officer Commanding, DFC, AFC; later A/Cdre | |
Flt Lt | 1 Jun 1927 | later A/Cdre | |
Flt Lt | Geoffrey R C Spencer | 12 Sep 1924 | later AVM |
Flt Lt | Freke W Wiseman-Clarke | 15 Oct 1925 | |
Hon Flt Lt (Fg Off) | Leslie S Hamilton | 15 Oct 1925 | |
Hon Flt Lt (Fg Off) | Albert E G Forrest | 16 Dec 1926 | |
Fg Off | Lionel J Booth | 11 Dec 1926 | Armament duties |
Fg Off | Reginald W Pilling | 15 Oct 1925 | |
Fg Off | Arthur B Smith | 18 Nov 1925 | MC |
Fg Off | Charles R Hancock | 22 Jul 1926 | |
Fg Off | Gwyther W P Irwin | 22 Jul 1926 | |
Fg Off | Robert K Coupland | 27 Feb 1925 | |
Fg Off | Reginald H Holmes | 4 Apr 1928 | Signals duties |
Fg Off | 28 Feb 1928 | Armament duties; later A/Cdre | |
Fg Off | Walter R J Spittle | 20 Jun 1927 | |
Fg Off | Edward G H Russell-Stracey | 7 Dec 1926 | |
Fg Off | Ellacott L S Ward | 22 Sep 1926 | later A/Cdre |
Fg Off | Lee C L Murray | 31 Jan 1928 | |
Fg Off | Geoffrey M Buxton | 23 Feb 1928 | |
Fg Off | James C Cunningham | 10 May 1928 | |
Stores Branch | |||
Fg Off | Percy J Mote | 7 Dec 1926 | |
Medical Branch | |||
Flt Lt | Christopher T O'Neill | 20 Sep 1927 | OBE, MB |
Source - September 1928 Air Force List
Aircraft operated | Location | Command/Group |
Bristol F2B Fighter | Peshawar, India | RAF India/No 1 (Indian) Group |
Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
Sqn Ldr | 17 Mar 1928 | Officer Commanding, DFC, AFC; later A/Cdre | |
Flt Lt | 1 Jun 1927 | later A/Cdre | |
Flt Lt | 20 Oct 1928 | later AVM | |
Flt Lt | William K Mercer | 4 Jan 1929 | |
Fg Off | Lionel J Booth | 11 Dec 1926 | Armament duties |
Fg Off | Charles R Hancock | 22 Jul 1926 | |
Fg Off | 28 Feb 1928 | Armament duties; later A/Cdre | |
Fg Off | Walter R J Spittle | 20 Jun 1927 | |
Fg Off | Edward G H Russell-Stracey | 7 Dec 1926 | |
Fg Off | 9 Mar 1929 | Photographic duties; later A/Cdre | |
Fg Off | Ellacott L S Ward | 22 Sep 1926 | later A/Cdre |
Fg Off | 24 Aug 1928 | later A/Cdre | |
Fg Off | Geoffrey M Buxton | 23 Feb 1928 | |
Fg Off | Vyvian Q Blackden | 20 Oct 1928 | Photographic duties |
Fg Off | Basil M Cary | 4 Jan1929 | Pilotage (Navigation) duties |
Fg Off | Geoffrey W Monk | 20 Oct 1928 | |
Fg Off | Richard C Hancock | 20 Oct 1928 | |
Plt Off | Walter D Butler | 6 Apr 1929 | |
Stores Branch | |||
Fg Off | Percy J Mote | 7 Dec 1926 | |
Medical Branch | |||
Flt Lt | Christopher T O'Neill | 20 Sep 1927 | OBE, MB |
Source - July 1929 Air Force List
Personnel Movements: Apr - Jul 1930
Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
Sqn Ldr | 7 Mar 1930 | Arrived on posting pending assuming command of No 20 Sqn | |
Flt Lt | William K Mercer | 7 Apr 1930 | Relinquished temporary command of No 20 Sqn |
Sqn Ldr | 7 Apr 1930 | Assumed command of No 20 Sqn | |
LAC | E R Charleworth | 5 May 1930 | Killed in a flying accident |
Fg Off | J W Hawke | 5 May 1930 | Injured in a flying accident |
Flt Lt | J C H Tavendale | 14 May 1930 | Killed in a flying accident |
LAC | H J Chappell | 14 May 1930 | Killed in a flying accident |
Fg Off | J W Hawke | 15 May 1930 | Died from injuries |
Flt Lt | 17 Jun 1930 | Attached to Fordham's Force as Liaison Officer |
Source - No 20 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/258)
Aircraft operated | Location | Command/Group |
Bristol F2B Fighter | Peshawar, India | RAF India/No 1 (Indian) Group |
Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
Sqn Ldr | 7 Mar 1930 | Officer Commanding, DSO, AFC; later AVM | |
Flt Lt | William K Mercer | 4 Jan 1929 | |
Flt Lt | 20 Oct 1928 | later AVM | |
Flt Lt | Robert Menzies | 8 Oct 1929 | Signals duties |
Flt Lt | Charles R Hancock | 22 Jul 1926 | |
Fg Off | Edward G H Russell-Stracey | 7 Dec 1926 | |
Fg Off | 9 Mar 1929 | Photographic duties; later A/Cdre | |
Fg Off | Ellacott L S Ward | 22 Sep 1926 | later A/Cdre |
Fg Off | 24 Aug 1928 | later A/Cdre | |
Fg Off | Vyvian Q Blackden | 20 Oct 1928 | Photographic duties |
Fg Off | Basil M Cary | 4 Jan1929 | Pilotage (Navigation) duties |
Fg Off | Geoffrey W Monk | 20 Oct 1928 | |
Fg Off | Richard C Hancock | 20 Oct 1928 | |
Fg Off | Walter D Butler | 6 Apr 1929 | |
Fg Off | John B Fyffe | 8 Oct 1929 | |
Fg Off | Edward Rotheram | 10 Jul 1929 | |
Fg Off | 7 Mar 1930 | Armament duties; later A/Cdre | |
Plt Off | Douglas J Eayrs | 21 Jan 1930 | |
Plt Off | Joseph H Manning-Fox | 8 Oct 1929 | |
Plt Off | David W Lane | 21 Jan 1930 | later A/Cdre |
Stores Branch | |||
Fg Off | Percy J Mote | 7 Dec 1926 | |
Medical Branch | |||
Flt Lt | Roy W White | 8 Oct 1929 | MRCS, LCRP |
Source - July 1930 Air Force List
Source - August 1930 Air Force List
Source - September 1930 Air Force List
Source - October 1930 Air Force List
Source - November 1930 Air Force List
Source - December 1930 Air Force List
Personnel Movements: Jul 1930 - Jul 1931
Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
Fg Off | D H G Wood | 24 Apr 1931 | Killed in a flying accident |
AC1 | R F Ring | 24 Apr 1931 | Killed in a flying accident |
Flt Lt | William K Mercer | 30 Jun 1931 | Promoted to Sqn Ldr |
Source - No 20 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/258)
Organisational Movements: Jul 1930 - Jul 1931
Date | Notes |
12 Oct 1930 | Squadron placed under the operational control of HQ No 5 Wing |
15 Mar 1931 | No 5 Wing disbanded and No 20 Sqn placed under Peshawar District for operations |
Source - No 20 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/258)
Aircraft operated | Location | Command/Group |
Westland Wapiti IIA | Peshawar, India | RAF India/No 1 (Indian) Group |
Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
Sqn Ldr | 7 Mar 1930 | Officer Commanding, DSO, AFC; later AVM | |
Flt Lt | William K Mercer | 4 Jan 1929 | |
Flt Lt | Robert Menzies | 8 Oct 1929 | Signals duties |
Flt Lt | Gerald H Loughman | 22 Nov 1930 | |
Flt Lt | 9 Mar 1929 | Photographic duties; later A/Cdre | |
Fg Off | Vyvian Q Blackden | 20 Oct 1928 | Photographic duties |
Fg Off | Basil M Cary | 4 Jan1929 | Pilotage (Navigation) duties |
Fg Off | Geoffrey W Monk | 20 Oct 1928 | |
Fg Off | Richard C Hancock | 20 Oct 1928 | |
Fg Off | John B Fyffe | 8 Oct 1929 | |
Fg Off | Edward Rotheram | 10 Jul 1929 | |
Fg Off | 7 Mar 1930 | Armament duties; later A/Cdre | |
Fg Off | Douglas J Eayrs | 21 Jan 1930 | |
Fg Off | James S Douglas | 7 Aug 1930 | |
Fg Off | Edward E Ellison | 23 Sep 1930 | |
Fg Off | Brian Paddon | 14 Feb 1931 | |
Fg Off | David W Lane | 21 Jan 1930 | later A/Cdre |
Fg Off | 16 Sep 1930 | Signals duties; later A/Cdre | |
Stores Branch | |||
Fg Off | Percy J Mote | 7 Dec 1926 | |
Medical Branch | |||
Flt Lt | Roy W White | 8 Oct 1929 | MRCS, LCRP |
Source - July 1931 Air Force List
Personnel Movements: Jul 1931 - Jul 1932
Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
LAC | East | 19 Apr 1932 | Died from wounds sustained in an attack by a tribesman |
Source - No 20 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/258)
Organisational Movements: Jul 1931 - Jul 1932
Date | Notes |
14 Jan 1932 | First four Westland Wapiti IIAs arrived to commence re-equipment of squadron |
4 Feb 1932 | 'A' Flight proceeded to Miranshah |
7 Feb 1932 | 'C' Flight returned from Miranshah |
26 Feb 1932 | Four Bristol F2Bs flown to Lahore for disposal |
27 Feb 1932 | Second flight of Wapitis arrived from Lahore |
13 Mar 1932 | Five Bristol F2Bs flown to Lahore for disposal |
14 Mar 1932 | Third flight of Wapitis arrived from Lahore |
Source - No 20 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/258)
Aircraft operated | Location | Command/Group |
Westland Wapiti | Peshawar, India | RAF India/No 1 (Indian) Group |
Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
Sqn Ldr | 7 Mar 1930 | Officer Commanding, DSO, AFC; later AVM | |
Flt Lt | 26 May 1932 | DFC; later A/Cdre | |
Flt Lt | 24 Mar 1932 | DSO, DFC; later AVM | |
Flt Lt | Gerald H Loughman | 22 Nov 1930 | |
Flt Lt | 9 Mar 1929 | Photographic duties; later A/Cdre | |
Fg Off | Basil M Cary | 4 Jan1929 | Pilotage (Navigation) duties |
Fg Off | John B Fyffe | 8 Oct 1929 | |
Fg Off | Edward Rotheram | 10 Jul 1929 | |
Fg Off | Maurice G Parker | 15 Oct 1931 | |
Fg Off | Douglas J Eayrs | 21 Jan 1930 | |
Fg Off | Joseph H Manning-Fox | 12 Oct 1931 | |
Fg Off | James S Douglas | 7 Aug 1930 | |
Fg Off | Edward E Ellison | 23 Sep 1930 | |
Fg Off | David W Lane | 21 Jan 1930 | later A/Cdre |
Fg Off | 16 Sep 1930 | Signals duties; later A/Cdre | |
Fg Off | Donald H A Golege-Steel | 25 Oct 1931 | |
Fg Off |
Reginald G Wild |
23 Feb 1932 | |
Fg Off | John R Watson | 16 Oct 1931 | |
Fg Off |
Rowland B Harrison |
12 Feb 1932 | |
Fg Off | Philip Haynes | 5 Jan 1932 | |
Fg Off | George P K Donaldson | 12 Feb 1932 | |
Plt Off | William T H Nichols | 16 Oct 1931 | |
Stores Branch | |||
Fg Off | Wallace G S Wood | 15 Oct 1931 | |
Medical Branch | |||
Flt Lt | Roy W White | 8 Oct 1929 | MRCS, LCRP |
Source - July 1932 Air Force List
Personnel Movements: Jul 1932 - Jul 1933
Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
Sqn Ldr | 9 Nov 1932 | Relinquished command of No 20 Sqn on posting to Aircraft Depot | |
Sqn Ldr | 9 Nov 1932 | Assumed command of No 20 Sqn |
Source - No 20 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/258)
Organisational Movements: Jul 1932 - Jul 1933
Date | Notes |
5 Mar 1933 | 'B' Flight proceeded to Miranshah |
12 Mar 1932 | 'A' Flight proceeded to Miranshah |
27 Mar 1932 | 'A' Flight returned to Peshawar |
Source - No 20 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/258)
Aircraft operated | Location | Command/Group |
Westland Wapiti | Peshawar, India | RAF India/No 1 (Indian) Group |
Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
Sqn Ldr | 9 Nov 1932 | Officer Commanding, OBE, DFC; later ACM | |
Flt Lt | 26 May 1932 | DFC; later A/Cdre | |
Flt Lt | 24 Mar 1932 | DSO, DFC; later AVM | |
Flt Lt | Robert Menzies | 23 Mar 1933 | |
Flt Lt | John Norwood | 7 Feb 1933 | |
Flt Lt | Terence J Arbuthnot | 18 Oct 1932 | Signals duties |
Fg Off | Walter R Munro Higgs | 30 Jul 1932 | |
Fg Off | Roy J O Bartlett | 1 Apr 1933 | |
Fg Off | Archibald M Watts-Read | 9 Oct 1932 | Pilotage (Navigation) duties |
Fg Off | Joseph H Manning-Fox | 12 Oct 1931 | |
Fg Off | James S Douglas | 7 Aug 1930 | |
Fg Off | David W Lane | 21 Jan 1930 | later A/Cdre |
Fg Off | John R Watson | 16 Oct 1931 | |
Fg Off |
Rowland B Harrison |
12 Feb 1932 | |
Fg Off | Philip Haynes | 5 Jan 1932 | |
Fg Off | George P K Donaldson | 12 Feb 1932 | |
Fg Off | William T H Nichols | 16 Oct 1931 | |
Fg Off | Cyril N Carpenter | 11 Oct 1932 | |
Fg Off | Edgar B Waddy | 28 Feb 1933 | |
Plt Off | Alan Pyke | 18 Oct 1932 | later A/Cdre |
Plt Off | Eric F Porter | 18 Oct 1932 | |
Plt Off | William M Keddie | 7 Feb 1933 | |
Stores Branch | |||
Fg Off | Wallace G S Wood | 15 Oct 1931 | |
Medical Branch | |||
Flt Lt | Andrew Harvey | 21 Oct 1932 | MB, BCh |
Warrant Officers - 2nd Class | |||
WO II | Charles Ripley | 12 Mar 1933 | |
WO II | William Morgan | 11 Mar 1933 | |
WO II | Charles Oakley | 15 Mar 1932 |
Source - July 1933 Air Force List
Aircraft operated | Location | Command/Group |
Westland Wapiti | Peshawar, India | RAF India/No 1 (Indian) Group |
Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
Sqn Ldr | 9 Nov 1932 | Officer Commanding, OBE, DFC; later ACM | |
Flt Lt | Robert Menzies | 23 Mar 1933 | |
Flt Lt | 29 May 1933 | later AVM | |
Flt Lt | John Norwood | 7 Feb 1933 | |
Flt Lt | Terence J Arbuthnot | 18 Oct 1932 | Signals duties |
Flt Lt | Walter R Munro Higgs | 30 Jul 1932 | |
Fg Off | Roy J O Bartlett | 1 Apr 1933 | |
Fg Off | Archibald M Watts-Read | 9 Oct 1932 | Pilotage (Navigation) duties |
Fg Off | 1 Sep 1933 | later A/Cdre | |
Fg Off | John R Watson | 16 Oct 1931 | |
Fg Off |
Rowland B Harrison |
12 Feb 1932 | |
Fg Off | Philip Haynes | 5 Jan 1932 | |
Fg Off | George P K Donaldson | 12 Feb 1932 | |
Fg Off | William T H Nichols | 16 Oct 1931 | |
Fg Off | Cyril N Carpenter | 11 Oct 1932 | |
Fg Off | Edgar B Waddy | 28 Feb 1933 | |
Fg Off | Alan Pyke | 18 Oct 1932 | later A/Cdre |
Fg Off | Eric F Porter | 18 Oct 1932 | |
Fg Off | William M Keddie | 7 Feb 1933 | |
Fg Off | William J Craig | 24 Oct 1933 | |
Plt Off | William D Anderson | 18 Oct 1933 | |
Plt Off | Arthur J Biggar | 18 Oct 1933 | |
Stores Branch | |||
Fg Off | Wallace G S Wood | 15 Oct 1931 | |
Medical Branch | |||
Flt Lt | Andrew Harvey | 21 Oct 1932 | MB, BCh |
Flt Lt | Victor H Tomkins | 12 May 1933 | MRCS, LRCP |
Warrant Officers - 2nd Class | |||
WO II | William Morgan | 11 Mar 1933 | |
WO II | Charles Oakley | 15 Mar 1932 |
Source - January 1934 Air Force List
Aircraft operated | Location | Command/Group |
Westland Wapiti | Peshawar, India | RAF India/No 1 (Indian) Group |
Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
Sqn Ldr | 9 Nov 1932 | Officer Commanding, OBE, DFC; later ACM | |
Flt Lt | Robert Menzies | 23 Mar 1933 | |
Flt Lt | 29 May 1933 | later AVM | |
Flt Lt | John Norwood | 7 Feb 1933 | |
Flt Lt | Terence J Arbuthnot | 18 Oct 1932 | Signals duties |
Flt Lt | Walter R Munro Higgs | 30 Jul 1932 | |
Fg Off | 1 Sep 1933 | later A/Cdre | |
Fg Off | John R Watson | 16 Oct 1931 | |
Fg Off | William J Brighty | 1 Apr 1934 | |
Fg Off | George P K Donaldson | 12 Feb 1932 | |
Fg Off | Arthur H Garland | 5 Mar 1934 | |
Fg Off | Cyril N Carpenter | 11 Oct 1932 | |
Fg Off | Alan Pyke | 18 Oct 1932 | later A/Cdre |
Fg Off | Eric F Porter | 18 Oct 1932 | |
Fg Off | William S P Simonds | 26 Feb 1934 | |
Fg Off | William J Craig | 24 Oct 1933 | |
Plt Off | William D Anderson | 18 Oct 1933 | |
Plt Off | Arthur J Biggar | 18 Oct 1933 | |
Plt Off | Charles F Pearce | 15 Feb 1934 | |
Plt Off | William B Murray | 8 Mar 1934 | |
Plt Off | Alexander J Kennedy | 26 Feb 1934 | |
Stores Branch | |||
Fg Off | Wallace G S Wood | 15 Oct 1931 | |
Medical Branch | |||
Flt Lt | Andrew Harvey | 21 Oct 1932 | MB, BCh |
Warrant Officers - 2nd Class | |||
WO II | Charles Ripley | 12 Mar 1933 | |
WO II | William Morgan | 11 Mar 1933 | |
WO II | Charles Oakley | 15 Mar 1932 |
Source - July 1934 Air Force List
Organisational Movements: Jul 1934 - Jul 1935
Date | Notes |
13 Jun 1935 | 'A' Flight proceeded to Quetta following the Quetta Earthquake |
Source - No 20 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/258)
Aircraft operated | Location | Command/Group |
Westland Wapiti | Peshawar, India | RAF India/No 1 (Indian) Group |
Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
Sqn Ldr | James McG Fairweather | 28 Sep 1934 | Officer Commanding, DFC |
Flt Lt | Harry R McL Reid | 21 Nov 1934 | DFC |
Flt Lt | 29 May 1933 | later AVM | |
Flt Lt | John Norwood | 7 Feb 1933 | |
Flt Lt | Terence J Arbuthnot | 18 Oct 1932 | Signals duties |
Flt Lt | Francis C Cole | 27 Oct 1934 | |
Fg Off | Arthur H Garland | 5 Mar 1934 | |
Fg Off | William S P Simonds | 26 Feb 1934 | |
Fg Off | William J Craig | 24 Oct 1933 | |
Fg Off | Claude R D L Lloyd | 30 Mar 1935 | |
Fg Off | Theodore U Rolfe | 30 Mar 1935 | |
Fg Off | Robert J Gosnell | 30 Mar 1935 | |
Fg Off | William D Anderson | 18 Oct 1933 | |
Fg Off | Arthur J Biggar | 18 Oct 1933 | |
Fg Off | William B Murray | 8 Mar 1934 | |
Fg Off | Alexander J Kennedy | 26 Feb 1934 | |
Fg Off | Charles F Pearce | 15 Feb 1934 | |
Fg Off | Eric T Smith | 10 Oct 1934 | |
Plt Off | Charles M B Renshaw | 10 Oct 1934 | |
Plt Off | Peter H Dutton | 10 Oct 1934 | |
Plt Off | Robert C F Lister | 28 Feb 1935 | |
Plt Off | Christopher L Y Wright | 28 Feb 1935 | |
Stores Branch | |||
Fg Off | William A Lee | 2 Feb 1935 | |
Medical Branch | |||
Flt Lt | James F Sandow | 19 Dec 1933 | MRCS, LRCP |
Warrant Officers | |||
WO | Charles Oakley | 15 Mar 1932 | |
Warrant Officers - 2nd Class | |||
WO II | George D Merron | 17 Nov 1933 | |
WO II | William Morgan | 11 Mar 1933 |
Source - July 1935 Air Force List
Personnel Movements: Jul 1935 - Jul 1936
Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
Fg Off | Richard L Vivian | 17 Oct 1935 | Arrived on posting |
Sqn Ldr | 14 Apr 1936 | Arrived on posting pending assuming command of No 20 Sqn | |
Sqn Ldr | James McG Fairweather | 1 May 1936 | Relinquished command of No 20 Sqn |
Sqn Ldr | 1 May 1936 | Assumed command of No 20 Sqn |
Source - No 20 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/258)
Organisational Movements: Jul 1935 - Jul 1936
Date | Notes |
10 Sep 1935 | 'A' Flight returned from Quetta |
4 Dec 1935 | 'A' Flight flew its Wapitis to Karachi |
10 Dec 1935 | 'A' Flight returned to Peshawar equipped with Hawker Audaxes |
10 Dec 1935 | 'C' Flight flew its Wapitis to Karachi |
13 Dec 1935 | 'A' Flight detached to Kohat |
17 Dec 1935 | 'C' Flight returned to Peshawar equipped with Hawker Audaxes |
17 Dec 1935 | 'B' Flight flew its Wapitis to Karachi |
19 Dec 1935 | 'A' Flight returned to Peshawar |
21 Dec 1935 | 'C' Flight returned to Peshawar equipped with Hawker Audaxes |
Source - No 20 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/258)
Aircraft operated | Location | Command/Group |
Hawker Audax | Peshawar, India | RAF India/No 3 (Indian) Wing |
Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
Sqn Ldr | James McG Fairweather | 28 Sep 1934 | Officer Commanding, DFC |
Sqn Ldr | 14 Apr 1936 | later A/Cdre | |
Flt Lt | 30 Sep 1935 | later A/Cdre | |
Flt Lt | Terence J Arbuthnot | 18 Oct 1932 | Signals duties |
Flt Lt | H McC White | 24 Feb 1936 | |
Fg Off | William S P Simonds | 26 Feb 1934 | |
Fg Off | William J Craig | 24 Oct 1933 | |
Fg Off | Claude R D L Lloyd | 30 Mar 1935 | |
Fg Off | Theodore U Rolfe | 30 Mar 1935 | |
Fg Off | William D Anderson | 18 Oct 1933 | DFC |
Fg Off | Arthur J Biggar | 18 Oct 1933 | |
Fg Off | William B Murray | 8 Mar 1934 | |
Fg Off | Alexander J Kennedy | 26 Feb 1934 | |
Fg Off | Charles F Pearce | 15 Feb 1934 | |
Fg Off | Eric T Smith | 10 Oct 1934 | |
Fg Off | Charles M B Renshaw | 10 Oct 1934 | |
Fg Off | Peter H Dutton | 10 Oct 1934 | |
Fg Off | Robert C F Lister | 28 Feb 1935 | |
Fg Off | Christopher L Y Wright | 28 Feb 1935 | |
Fg Off | Richard L Vivian | 17 Oct 1935 | |
Plt Off | J B Black | 14 Mar 1936 | |
Plt Off | R M Coad | 18 Mar 1936 | |
Plt Off | A N Cole | 18 Mar 1936 | |
Equipment Branch | |||
Fg Off | William A Lee | 2 Feb 1935 | |
Medical Branch | |||
Flt Lt | James F Sandow | 19 Dec 1933 | MRCS, LRCP |
Warrant Officers | |||
WO | Charles Oakley | 15 Mar 1932 | |
WO | F P Gee | 25 Feb 1936 |
Source - July 1936 Air Force List
Source - August 1936 Air Force List
Organisational Movements: Jul 1936 - Jul 1937
Date | Notes |
1 Dec 1936 | Advance party moved to Miranshah by air |
1 Dec 1936 | Road party moved to Miranshah via Kohat |
2 Dec 1936 | 'A' & 'B' Flights proceeded to Miranshah |
2 Dec 1936 | Road party arrived at Miranshah |
24 Dec 1936 | HQ and 2 Flights returned to Peshawar |
7 Jan 1937 | HQ and 2 Flights proceeded to Miranshah |
16 Jan 1937 | HQ and 2 Flights returned to Peshawar |
30 Jan 1937 | 'A' & 'B' Flight proceeded to Karachi for Armament Training Camp |
15 Feb 1937 | 'A' & 'B' Flight returned from Karachi on completion of Armament Training Camp |
16 Apr 1937 | 'B' Flight proceeded to Miranshah |
20 Apr 1937 | Squadron proceeded to Miranshah |
xx Jun 1937 | The Squadron Badge was authorised by HM King George VI* |
Source - No 20 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/258)
The Squadron Badge on this page is Crown Copyright and has been produced by Mary Denton on behalf of the RAF Heraldry Trust and is displayed on this page with the permission of the RAFHT.
© Crown Copyright is reproduced with the permission of the Directorate of Intellectual Property Rights
Aircraft operated | Location | Command/Group |
Hawker Audax | Miranshah | RAF India/No 3 (Indian) Wing |
Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
Sqn Ldr | 14 Apr 1936 | Officer Commanding, later A/Cdre | |
Sqn Ldr | Terence J Arbuthnot | 18 Oct 1932 | Signals duties |
Flt Lt | R J Carvell | 15 Sep 1936 | |
Flt Lt | C H Turner | 15 Sep 1936 | |
Flt Lt | F C Daubney | 20 Apr 1937 | |
Flt Lt | William S P Simonds | 26 Feb 1934 | |
Fg Off | Peter H Dutton | 10 Oct 1934 | |
Fg Off | Robert C F Lister | 28 Feb 1935 | |
Fg Off | Christopher L Y Wright | 28 Feb 1935 | |
Fg Off | Richard L Vivian | 17 Oct 1935 | |
Fg Off | J B Black | 14 Mar 1936 | |
Fg Off | R M Coad | 18 Mar 1936 | |
Fg Off | A N Cole | 18 Mar 1936 | |
Plt Off | L E Cryer | 24 Oct 1936 | |
Plt Off | G A L Cheatle | 15 Oct 1936 | |
Plt Off | A G T James | 15 Oct 1936 | |
Plt Off | C H Jones | 15 Oct 1936 | |
Plt Off | N A N Bray | 24 Oct 1936 | |
Plt Off | G H N Gibson | 24 Oct 1936 | |
Plt Off | R B Cox | 24 Oct 1936 | |
Plt Off | P M J Evans | 11 Feb 1937 | |
Plt Off | C P V Hervey | 11 Feb 1937 | |
APO | T H Parrott | 22 May 1937 | |
Equipment Branch | |||
Flt Lt | William A Lee | 2 Feb 1935 | |
Medical Branch | |||
Flt Lt | J L Walsh | 20 Apr 1937 | MB, BS |
Warrant Officers | |||
WO | F P Gee | 25 Feb 1936 |
Source - July 1937 Air Force List
Organisational Movements: Jul 1937 - Jul 1938
Date | Notes |
1 Sep 1937 | 'B' Flight returned to Peshawar |
11 Oct 1937 | Road Party 'C' Flight proceeded to Miranshah |
12 Oct 1937 | 'C' Flight proceeded to Miranshah |
xx Dec 1937 | 'C' Flight returned to Peshawar |
3 Feb 1938 | 'B' & 'C' Flights proceeded to Karachi for Armament Training Camp |
10 Feb 1938 | 'B' & 'C' Flights returned from Karachi on completion of Armament Training Camp |
38 Mar 1938 | 'A' Flight proceeded to Karachi for Armament Training Camp |
10 Feb 1938 | 'A' Flight returned from Karachi on completion of Armament Training Camp |
29 Apr 1938 | Road Party 'A' Flight proceeded to Miranshah |
30 Apr 1938 | Air Party 'A' Flight proceeded to Miranshah |
30 Apr 1938 | Road Party 'A' Flight arrived at Miranshah |
13 May 1938 | Road Party, 'B' & 'C' Flights proceeded to Miranshah via Bannu |
13 May 1938 | Air Party, 'B' & 'C' Flights proceeded to Miranshah |
14 May 1938 | Road Party, 'B' & 'C' Flights arrived at Miranshah |
21 May 1938 | Air and Road Parties, 'B' & 'C' Flights departed Miranshah for Peshawar |
Source - No 20 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/258)
Aircraft operated | Location | Command/Group |
Hawker Audax | Miranshah | RAF India/No 1 (Indian) Group |
Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
Sqn Ldr | 16 Nov 1937 | Officer Commanding, AFC; later ACM | |
Flt Lt | Richard L Vivian | 17 Oct 1935 | |
Flt Lt | F C Daubney | 20 Apr 1937 | |
Act Flt Lt | 22 Dec 1937 | later A/Cdre | |
Act Flt Lt | R M Coad | 18 Mar 1936 | |
Act Flt Lt | A N Cole | 18 Mar 1936 | |
Fg Off | L E Cryer | 24 Oct 1936 | |
Fg Off | N A N Bray | 24 Oct 1936 | |
Fg Off | A G T James | 15 Oct 1936 | |
Fg Off | C H Jones | 15 Oct 1936 | |
Fg Off | G H N Gibson | 24 Oct 1936 | |
Plt Off | R B Cox | 24 Oct 1936 | |
Plt Off | P M J Evans | 11 Feb 1937 | |
Plt Off | C P V Hervey | 11 Feb 1937 | |
Plt Off | J G Fraser | 8 Jan 1938 | |
Plt Off | C A Harris | 8 Jan 1938 | |
Plt Off | R T Frogley | 8 Mar 1938 | |
Plt Off | T L Howell | 8 Mar 1938 | |
Plt Off | M D Day | 5 Apr 1938 | |
Plt Off | Ronald G Knott | 8 Mar 1938 | later AVM |
Equipment Branch | |||
Flt Lt | A Selby | 1 Feb 1938 | |
Medical Branch | |||
Flt Lt | J L Walsh | 20 Apr 1937 | MB, BS |
Education Officer | |||
Mr | C H Sleightholme | 21 Sep 1937 | Grade III, BSc |
Warrant Officers | |||
WO | N Gardner | 27 Oct 1937 | DFM |
Source - July 1938 Air Force List
Personnel Movements: Jul 1938 - Jan 1939
Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
Sqn Ldr | 31 Sep 1938 | Relinquished command of No 20 Sqn on posting to FTS, Delhi | |
Sqn Ldr | 31 Sep 1938 | Arrived on posting from No 28 Sqn and assumed command of No 20 Sqn |
Source - No 20 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/258)
Organisational Movements: Jul 1938 - Jan 1939
Date | Notes |
2 Jul 1938 | 'A' Flight returned to Peshawar |
2 Jul 1938 | 'B' Flight proceeded to Miranshah |
18 Sep 1938 | HQ and 'A' Flight proceeded to Miranshah |
26 Sep 1938 | HQ and 'A' Flight returned to Peshawar |
11 Nov 1938 | 'A' Flight proceeded to Miranshah |
9 Dec 1938 | 'C' Flight proceeded to Miranshah |
10 Dec 1938 | HQ and 'B' Flight proceeded to Miranshah |
Source - No 20 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/258)
Aircraft operated | Location | Command/Group |
Hawker Audax | Miranshah | RAF India/No 1 (Indian) Group |
Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
Sqn Ldr | 1 Oct 1938 | Officer Commanding, later A/Cdre | |
Flt Lt | Richard L Vivian | 17 Oct 1935 | |
Flt Lt | O H D Blomfield | 5 Nov 1938 | Signals duties |
Act Flt Lt | 22 Dec 1937 | later A/Cdre | |
Act Flt Lt | R M Coad | 18 Mar 1936 | |
Act Flt Lt | A N Cole | 18 Mar 1936 | |
Fg Off | N A N Bray | 24 Oct 1936 | DFC |
Fg Off | A G T James | 15 Oct 1936 | |
Fg Off | C H Jones | 15 Oct 1936 | |
Fg Off | G H N Gibson | 24 Oct 1936 | |
Fg Off | R B Cox | 24 Oct 1936 | |
Fg Off | P M J Evans | 11 Feb 1937 | |
Fg Off | C P V Hervey | 11 Feb 1937 | |
Fg Off | J G Fraser | 8 Jan 1938 | |
Plt Off | C A Harris | 8 Jan 1938 | |
Plt Off | R T Frogley | 8 Mar 1938 | |
Plt Off | T L Howell | 8 Mar 1938 | |
Plt Off | M D Day | 5 Apr 1938 | |
Plt Off | Ronald G Knott | 8 Mar 1938 | later AVM |
Plt Off | P J A Byers | 25 Oct 1938 | |
Plt Off | S T Cooper | 25 Oct 1938 | |
Equipment Branch | |||
Flt Lt | A Selby | 1 Feb 1938 | |
Fg Off | D J Barber | 11 Nov 1938 | |
Medical Branch | |||
Flt Lt | J L Walsh | 20 Apr 1937 | MB, BS |
Education Officer | |||
Mr | C H Sleightholme | 21 Sep 1937 | Grade III, BSc |
Warrant Officers | |||
WO | N Gardner | 27 Oct 1937 | DFM |
WO | H L Pilford | 21 Aug 1938 |
Source - January 1939 Air Force List
Organisational Movements: Jan - Apr 1939
Date | Notes |
7 Jan 1939 | 'A' Flight detached to Kohat |
16 Jan 1939 | 'A' Flight returned to Peshawar |
25 Feb 1939 | 'C' Flight returned to Peshawar |
29 Mar 1939 | Squadron re-organised on a two-flight basis |
Source - No 20 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/259)
Aircraft operated | Location | Command/Group |
Hawker Audax | Miranshah | RAF India/No 1 (Indian) Group |
Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
Sqn Ldr | 1 Oct 1938 | Officer Commanding, later A/Cdre | |
Flt Lt | Richard L Vivian | 17 Oct 1935 | |
Flt Lt | O H D Blomfield | 5 Nov 1938 | Signals duties |
Flt Lt | 22 Dec 1937 | later A/Cdre | |
Act Flt Lt | R M Coad | 18 Mar 1936 | |
Act Flt Lt | N A N Bray | 24 Oct 1936 | DFC |
Fg Off | A G T James | 15 Oct 1936 | |
Fg Off | C H Jones | 15 Oct 1936 | |
Fg Off | G H N Gibson | 24 Oct 1936 | |
Fg Off | P M J Evans | 11 Feb 1937 | |
Fg Off | C P V Hervey | 11 Feb 1937 | |
Fg Off | J G Fraser | 8 Jan 1938 | |
Fg Off | R T Frogley | 8 Mar 1938 | |
Plt Off | C A Harris | 8 Jan 1938 | |
Plt Off | T L Howell | 8 Mar 1938 | |
Plt Off | M D Day | 5 Apr 1938 | |
Plt Off | Ronald G Knott | 8 Mar 1938 | later AVM |
Plt Off | P J A Byers | 25 Oct 1938 | |
Plt Off | S T Cooper | 25 Oct 1938 | |
Plt Off | J H Iremonger | 23 Dec 1938 | |
Plt Off | A D Mitchell | 23 Dec 1938 | later A/Cdre |
Plt Off | A MacC Stott | 10 Feb 1939 | |
Equipment Branch | |||
Fg Off | D J Barber | 11 Nov 1938 | |
Medical Branch | |||
Flt Lt | J L Walsh | 20 Apr 1937 | MB, BS |
Flt Lt | R G Haynes | 10 Feb 1939 | MRCS, LRCP |
Education Officer | |||
Mr | C H Sleightholme | 21 Sep 1937 | Grade III, BSc |
Warrant Officers | |||
WO | N Gardner | 27 Oct 1937 | DFM |
WO | G J Goldstone | 27 Oct 1937 |
Source - April 1939 Confidential Air Force List
Aircraft operated | Location | Command/Group |
Hawker Audax | Miranshah | RAF India/No 1 (Indian) Group |
Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
Sqn Ldr | 1 Oct 1938 | Officer Commanding, later A/Cdre | |
Flt Lt | Richard L Vivian | 17 Oct 1935 | |
Flt Lt | O H D Blomfield | 5 Nov 1938 | Signals duties |
Flt Lt | 22 Dec 1937 | later A/Cdre | |
Flt Lt | R M Coad | 18 Mar 1936 | |
Act Flt Lt | N A N Bray | 24 Oct 1936 | DFC |
Fg Off | A G T James | 15 Oct 1936 | |
Fg Off | C H Jones | 15 Oct 1936 | |
Fg Off | G H N Gibson | 24 Oct 1936 | |
Fg Off | C P V Hervey | 11 Feb 1937 | |
Fg Off | J G Fraser | 8 Jan 1938 | |
Fg Off | R T Frogley | 8 Mar 1938 | |
Plt Off | C A Harris | 8 Jan 1938 | |
Plt Off | T L Howell | 8 Mar 1938 | |
Plt Off | M D Day | 5 Apr 1938 | |
Plt Off | Ronald G Knott | 8 Mar 1938 | later AVM |
Plt Off | P J A Byers | 25 Oct 1938 | |
Plt Off | S T Cooper | 25 Oct 1938 | |
Plt Off | J H Iremonger | 23 Dec 1938 | |
Plt Off | A D Mitchell | 23 Dec 1938 | later A/Cdre |
Plt Off | A MacC Stott | 10 Feb 1939 | |
Equipment Branch | |||
Fg Off | D J Barber | 11 Nov 1938 | |
Medical Branch | |||
Flt Lt | J L Walsh | 20 Apr 1937 | MB, BS |
Flt Lt | R G Haynes | 10 Feb 1939 | MRCS, LRCP |
Education Officer | |||
Mr | C H Sleightholme | 21 Sep 1937 | Grade III, BSc |
Warrant Officers | |||
WO | N Gardner | 27 Oct 1937 | DFM |
WO | G J Goldstone | 27 Oct 1937 |
Source - May 1939 Confidential Air Force List
Organisational Movements: May - Dec 1939
Date | Notes |
15 May 1939 | Squadron received Westland Lysander, K6128 (2nd prototype) for service trials |
16 Jun 1939 | 'B' Flight (part) detached to Kohat |
22 Jun 1939 | 'B' Flight (part) returned to Peshawar |
6 Aug 1939 | 'A' Flight proceeded to Miranshah |
11 Aug 1939 | 'A' Flight returned to Peshawar |
9 Aug 1939 | Squadron proceeded to Miranshah |
9 Sep 1939 | 'B' Flight returned to Peshawar |
14 Sep 1939 | 'B' Flight proceeded to Miranshah |
26 Oct 1939 | 'B' Flight proceeded to Manzai |
30 Oct 1939 | 'C' reformed at Miranshah |
30 Oct 1939 | 'A' Flight returned to Peshawar |
26 Nov 1939 | 'A' Flight proceeded to Miranshah |
30 Nov 1939 | 'A' Flight returned to Peshawar |
14 Dec 1939 | 'C' Flight returned to Peshawar |
15 Dec 1939 | Road Convoy, 'C' Flight returned to Peshawar |
Source - No 20 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/259)
Personnel Movements: Jan - Dec 1940
Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
Flt Lt | N A N Bray | 9 Jan 1940 | Posted to AHQ India, Delhi |
Fg Off | T L Howell | 12 Jan 1940 | Detached to act as ALO with Bannu Brigade |
Fg Off | E W Tremlett | 24 Jan 1940 | Arrived on posting from No 31 Sqn |
Plt Off | R W Turnbull | 24 Jan 1940 | Arrived on posting from No 31 Sqn |
Plt Off | G J H Crystall | 10 Feb 1940 | Arrived on posting from No 5 Sqn |
Fg Off | D J Barber | 19 Apr 1940 | Equipment Officer posted to No 31 Sqn |
Flt Lt | H G Haynes | 19 Apr 1940 | Medical Officer posted to No 31 Sqn |
Fg Off | J H Iremonger | 1 May 1940 | Posted to RAF Lahore for duty with communication flight |
Fg Off | J G Frazer | 15 May 1940 | Embarked at Calcutta for sick leave in New Zealand and transfer to RNZAF |
Plt Off | A D Mitchell | 30 May 1940 | Posted to RAF Risalpur for duty as a Flying Instructor |
Flt Lt | W E Surplice | 4 Jun 1940 | Arrived on posting from No 28 Sqn and assumed command of No 20 Sqn |
Fg Off | Ronald G Knott | 28 Jun 1940 | Posted to No 5 IAFVR for duty as Adjutant |
Flt Lt | Overton | 30 Jul 1940 | Signals Officer, posted to Aircraft Depot |
Plt Off | A L E Ormond | 30 Jul 1940 | Posted for Equipment duties, wef 9 Apr 1940 |
Flt Lt | C H Jones | 1 Aug 1940 | Posted to RAF Risalpur for duty as a Flying Instructor |
Fg Off | J A L Fowler | 6 Aug 1940 | Arrived on posting from RAF Ambala |
Plt Off | R W Turnbull | 16 Aug 1940 | Killed in a flying accident |
AC1 | A S Happel | 16 Aug 1940 | Killed in a flying accident |
Fg Off | W D Adams | 20 Aug 1940 | Arrived on posting from No 5 Sqn |
Plt Off | A Garfoot | 6 Sep 1940 | Arrived on posting from T & D Flight, Aircraft Depot |
Plt Off | A Garfoot | 30 Sep 1940 | Killed in a flying accident |
LAC | H Farrell | 30 Sep 1940 | Died from injuries sustained in a flying accident |
Flt Lt | G H Gibson | 1 Nov 1940 | Promoted to Sqn Ldr |
Fg Off | T L Howell | 1 Nov 1940 | Posted to No 1 FTS, RAF Ambala |
Fg Off | J A L Fowler | 1 Nov 1940 | Posted to No 1 FTS, RAF Ambala |
Flt Lt | D I Fairburn | 16 Nov 1940 | Arrived on posting from RAF Ambala |
Flt Lt | D I Fairburn | 28 Nov 1940 | Posted to HQ No 1 (Indian) Group |
Source - No 20 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/259)
Organisational Movements: Jan - Dec 1940
Date | Notes |
11 Jan 1940 | 'A' & 'C' Flights proceeded to Kohat |
22 Jan 1940 | 'A' & 'C' Flights returned to Peshawar |
17 Feb 1940 | 'A' Flight proceeded to Miranshah |
18 Feb 1940 | 'B' Flight proceeded to Miranshah |
24 Feb 1940 | 'B' Flight returned to Peshawar |
26 Feb 1940 | 'B' & 'C' Flights proceeded to Islam Chauki |
3 Mar 1940 | 'B' Flight proceeded to Miranshah |
11 Mar 1940 | 'B' Flight returned to Peshawar |
1 Apr 1940 | 'C' Flight proceeded to Miranshah |
8 Apr 1940 | Squadron HQ proceeded to Kohat |
16 Apr 1940 | 'B' Flight proceeded to Kohat |
22 Apr 1940 | 'A' Flight proceeded from Miranshah to Kohat |
31 May 1940 | 'B' Flight proceeded to Miranshah |
31 May 1940 | 'C' Flight proceeded to Kohat |
23 Jul 1940 | 'B' Flight returned to Kohat |
10 Aug 1940 | 'C' Flight proceeded to Miranshah |
2 Sep 1940 | 'C' Flight returned to Kohat |
5 Oct 1940 | Detachment (6 aircraft) proceeded to Quetta |
10 Oct 1940 | Detachment (6 aircraft) returned to Kohat from Quetta |
5 Dec 1940 | 'A' Flight proceeded to Miranshah |
8 Dec 1940 | 'A' Flight returned to Kohat |
Source - No 20 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/259)
Personnel Movements: Jan - Dec 1941
Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
Flt Lt | G R N H Jan | 7 Jan 1941 | Killed in action |
Cpl | J M Dibble | 7 Jan 1941 | Killed in action |
Flt Lt | E W Tremlett | 8 Jan 1941 | Assumed command of 'A' Flight |
Sqn Ldr | G H N Gibson | 14 Jan 1941 | Posted to HQ No 1 (Indian) Group |
Fg Off | P M Bond | 7 Feb 1941 | Posted to RAF Ambala for Flying Instructors' Course |
Fg Off | G J H Crystall | 7 Feb 1941 | Posted to RAF Ambala for Flying Instructors' Course |
Fg Off | M W H Uphill | 15 Feb 1941 | Arrived on posting from No 28 Sqn and allocated to 'A' Flight |
Sqn Ldr | W E Surplice | 19 Feb 1941 | Proceeded to Madras to command the RAF Station there |
Flt Lt | Towle | 19 Feb 1941 | Arrived on posting from No 28 Sqn and proceeded to RAF Juhu to command |
Sqn Ldr | W E Surplice | 30 Sep 1941 | Relinquished command of No 20 Sqn |
Sqn Ldr | A W T Traill | 1 Oct 1941 | Assumed command of No 20 Sqn |
Source - No 20 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/259)
Organisational Movements: Jan - Dec 1941
Date | Notes |
xx Jan 1941 | 'C' Flight was disbanded |
1 Feb 1941 | 'B' Flight detached to Peshawar for Northern Command ARP Exercise |
5 Feb 1941 | 'B' Flight returned to RAF Kohat |
7 Feb 1941 | 'B' Flight proceeded to Miranshah to support 'A' Flight |
14 Feb 1941 | 'A' & 'B' Flights returned to RAF Kohat pending a move to Bombay and Madras for Coast Defence duties |
17 Feb 1941 | 'A' Flight redesignated 'V' Flight proceeded to Bombay via Multan, Jodhpur and Ahmedabad |
18 Feb 1941 | 'V' Flight arrived at RAF Juhu, Bombay |
19 Feb 1941 | 'Y' Flight arrived at Madras |
3 Jun 1941 | 'A' Flight detached to Karachi |
10 Jun 1941 | Squadron moved from RAF Kohat to RAF Secunderabad |
xx Jun 1941 | 4 x Blenheim Is allocated to 'A' Flight |
22 Jun 1941 | 'C' Flight detached to Poona |
22 Jul 1941 | 'C' Flight ceased to be detached to Poona |
25 Jul 1941 | 'B' Flight detached to Karachi |
13 Aug 1941 | 'B' Flight ceased to be detached to Poona |
1 Sep 1941 | 'B' Flight detached to Karachi |
1 Sep 1941 | 'A' Flight ceased to be detached to Karachi |
3 Oct 1941 | 'A' Flight detached to Peshawar |
17 Oct 1941 | 'A' Flight ceased to be detached to Peshawar |
5 Nov 1941 | 'C' Flight detached to Delhi |
19 Nov 1941 | 'B' Flight ceased to be detached to Poona |
20 Nov 1941 | 'C' Flight ceased to be detached to Delhi |
1 Dec 1941 | 'C' Flight detached to Bangalore |
18 Dec 1941 | 'C' Flight ceased to be detached to Bangalore |
31 Dec 1941 | Squadron re-equipped with Lysander IIs |
Source - No 20 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/259)
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This page was last updated on 17/10/23