Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation
No 917 (County of Warwick) (Balloon) Sqn Personnel and locations
Auxiliary Air Force personnel shown in italics.
Personnel Movements: Feb - Dec 1939
Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
Flt Lt | G T Stoneham | 6 Feb 1939 | Arrived on posting from RAF Cardington for duty as Adjutant |
Sgt | Nightingale | 11 Feb 1939 | Arrived on posting |
AC2 | Langley | 11 Feb 1939 | Arrived on posting |
Lt Col | C W Clark | 13 Feb 1939 | Appointed to a commission in the AAF as a Sqn Ldr, gazetted 9 May 1939 and assumed command of No 917 Sqn* |
LAC | Dyke | 20 Feb 1939 | Arrived on posting from RAF Cranwell for duty as Equipment Assistant |
LAC | Lish | 20 Feb 1939 | Arrived on posting from RAF Dishforth for duty as Nursing Orderly |
AC2 | Partington | 25 Mar1939 | Arrived on posting for duty of Clerk Accounting |
Mr | G Skelton | 1 Apr 1939 | Appointed to a commission in the AAF as a Flt Lt, gazetted 23 Jun 1939* |
Mr | I H Lawrence | 1 Apr 1939 | Appointed to a commission in the AAF as a Fg Off, gazetted 9 Jun 1939* |
Mr | W J Bond | 1 Apr 1939 | Appointed to a commission in the AAF as an APO, gazetted 9 Jun 1939* |
Sgt | Elson | 3 Apr 1939 | Balloon Operator, arrived on posting |
AC1 | Gilbert | 3 Apr 1939 | Balloon Operator, arrived on posting |
AC1 | Chawner | 3 Apr 1939 | Balloon Operator, arrived on posting |
Cpl | Stainthorpe | 24 Apr 1939 | Clerk Accounting, arrived on posting from overseas |
Mr | A King Smith | 5 May 1939 | Appointed to a commission in the AAF as a Fg Off, gazetted 9 Jun 1939* |
Sqn Ldr | C W Clark | 21 May 1939 | Attached to RAF Cardington for course (6 days) |
Flt Lt | G Skelton | 21 May 1939 | Attached to RAF Cardington for course (6 days) |
Fg Off | I H Lawrence | 21 May 1939 | Attached to RAF Cardington for course (6 days) |
Fg Off | I H Lawrence | 5 Jun 1939 | Promoted to Flt Lt |
Fg Off | A King Smith | 5 Jun 1939 | Attached to RAF Cardington for course (6 days) |
APO | J A Parker | 5 Jun 1939 | Attached to RAF Cardington for course (6 days) |
Cpl | Brooke | 9 Jun 1939 | Posted to No 6 Balloon Centre, Wythall |
Mr | N Edyvean Walker | 15 Jun 1939 | Appointed to a commission in the AAF as a Fg Off, gazetted 15 Aug 1939* |
Cpl | Izzard | 16 Jun 1939 | Balloon Operator, arrived on posting from No 901 Sqn for duty as Instructor |
AC2 | Bacon | 21 Jul 1939 | Balloon Operator, arrived on posting from RAF Cardington for duty as Instructor |
Cpl | Stainthorpe | 24 Jul 1939 | Clerk Accounting, admitted to hospital |
Cpl | Barker | 24 Jul 1939 | Clerk/GD, arrived on posting from RAF Leconfield |
Sgt | Nightingale | 30 Jul 1939 | Posted to No 6 Balloon Centre, Wythall |
Cpl | Sanbrooke | 9 Aug 1939 | Arrived on posting |
Fg Off | N Edyvean Walker | 11 Aug 1939 | Promoted to Flt Lt |
The Rt Hon | Lord Iliffe | 29 Aug 1939 | Appointed Honorary Air Commodore |
Mr | W J Bond | 30 Aug 1939 | Appointed to a commission in the AAF as an APO, gazetted 26 Sep 1939* |
Mr | M S Turpin | 30 Aug 1939 | Appointed to a commission in the AAF as a Plt Off, gazetted 26 Dec 1939 for Accountant duties* |
Dr | H J Riley | 31 Aug 1939 | Appointed to a commission in the AAF as a Fg Off for Medical duties, gazetted 17 Oct 1939* |
Sqn Ldr | C W Clark | 3 Sep 1939 | Assumed command of Coventry Area |
Mr | A M Makepeace | 10 Sep 1939 | Appointed to a commission in the AAF as a Fg Off, wef 9 Aug 1939, gazetted 12 Sep 1939* |
Fg Off | C Farrer | 14 Sep 1939 | Arrived on posting for duty as Assistant Adjutant |
LAC | Doyle | 27 Sep 1939 | Posted to No 3 Wing, RAF Locking |
Cpl | Sanbrooke | 28 Sep 1939 | Transferred to No 6 Balloon Centre, Wythall |
APO | J A Parker | 10 Oct 1939 | Confirmed in appointment and regraded as a Plt Off, wef 12 Aug 1939* |
Sqn Ldr | C W Clark | 26 Oct 1939 | Relinquished command of No 917 Sqn on being granted Special Leave for six months |
Flt Lt | G Skelton | 26 Oct 1939 | Assumed command of No 917 Sqn |
Fg Off | A King Smith | 26 Oct 1939 | Assumed command of 'B' Flight |
Flt Lt | N Edyvean Walker | 2 Dec 1939 | Granted 14 days sick leave from RAF Hospital, Torquay |
AC2 | W W Blackstone | 12 Dec 1939 | Appointed to a commission in the RAFVR as an Plt Off, wef 1 Sep 1939 |
Flt Lt | G T Stoneham | 12 Dec 1939 | Adjutant, relinquished commission in Class 'CC', RAFO on appointment to a commission in the RAFVR, wef 1 Sep 1939 |
Flt Lt | G Skelton | 21 Dec 1939 | Promoted to Act Sqn Ldr, wef 30 Oct 1939 |
Fg Off | A King Smith | 21 Dec 1939 | Promoted to Act Flt Lt, wef 30 Oct 1939 |
Flt Lt | N Edyvean Walker | 27 Dec 1939 | Reported for duty from RAF Uxbridge |
AC2 | Stewart | 29 Dec 1939 | U/t Cook & Butcher retained on completion of training |
Cpl | Parkin | 29 Dec 1939 | Equipment Assistant, arrived on posting |
Cpl | Connor | 29 Dec 1939 | Driver Petrol, arrived on posting from BEF |
Source - No 917 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/2249) & * London Gazette
Organisational Movements: Feb - Dec 1939
Date | Notes |
6 Feb 1939 | Squadron formed an office established at 23 Hertford Street, Coventry |
24 Feb 1939 | Squadron occupied 32/33 Cow Lane for medical examinations and attestations |
22 Mar 1939 |
Drill Hall at Quinton Road lent by Warwickshire Yeomanry for drill instruction |
25 Mar 1939 | Legal possession of temporary Town HQ at 32/33 Cow Lane took place |
3 Apr 1939 | Office at 23 Hertford Street, Coventry moved to 32/33 Cow Lane |
23 Aug 1939 | Call-out notices issued to AAF personnel |
27 Aug 1939 | Sites 1, 2, 3, 4 & 9 occupied |
4 Sep 1939 | Squadron Battle HQ moved to Ryton Bridge Hotel |
4 Sep 1939 | 'A' Flight HQ established at Humber-Hillman Sports Pavilion |
4 Sep 1939 | 'B' Flight HQ established at 35 ? Road, Copsewood |
4 Sep 1939 | 'C' Flight HQ established at Gordon's Farm, Blackberry Lane |
2 Oct 1939 | Orderly Room moved from Cow Lane to Manor House, Leamington Road |
19 Oct 1939 | 'A' Flight HQ moved from Humber-Hillman Sports Pavilion to 26 Leamington Road |
Source - No 917 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/2249)
Personnel Movements: Jan - Dec 1940
Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
Plt Off | Bayley | 1 Jan 1940 | Attached to Rollestone Camp for Anti-Gas Course (14 days) |
Sgt | Grant | 6 Jan 1940 | Arrived on posting on completion of course from RAF Cardington for Disciplinary duties |
AC2 | Davies | 5 Feb 1940 | Disembodied from AAF |
Fg Off | Davies | 5 Feb 1940 | Ceased to be attached |
Act Sgt | Burges | 12 Feb 1940 | Disembodied from AAF |
Flt Lt | Carryer | 12 Feb 1940 | Arrived on posting |
Cpl | Adams | 14 Feb 1940 | Posted to No 952 Sqn, Sheerness |
Flt Lt | G T Stoneham | 23 Feb 1940 | Adjutant, posted to HQ, Balloon Command |
Flt Lt | Carryer | 23 Feb 1940 | Assumed duties of Adjutant |
AC2 | Davis | 23 Feb 1940 | Arrived on posting from No 911 Sqn |
LAC | Buckland | 24 Feb 1940 | Disembodied from AAF |
AC2 | Hawkins | 25 Feb 1940 | Discharged from the Service on medical grounds |
LAC | Langley | 1 Mar 1940 | Posted to No 242 Sqn |
AC | Bailey | 1 Mar 1940 | Posted out |
Cpl | Whitworth | 2 Mar 1940 | Posted out |
AC | Pringle | 2 Mar 1940 | Arrived on posting |
Flt Lt | C Farrer | 2 Mar 1940 | Posted to No 915 Sqn |
AC | Barron | 5 Mar 1940 | Arrived on posting |
AC1 | Giles | 6 Mar 1940 | Disembodied from AAF |
AC2 | Gardener | 6 Mar 1940 | Disembodied from AAF |
Sqn Ldr | G Skelton | 7 Mar 1940 | Assumed command of Coventry Balloon Barrage |
Fg Off | Limehouse | 12 Mar 1940 | Returned to duty and assumed command of 'C' Flight |
Cpl | Stafford | 12 Mar 1940 | Arrived on posting |
LAC | French | 12 Mar 1940 | Disembodied from AAF |
AC1 | Barnett | 13 Mar 1940 | Arrived on posting |
AC1 | Kirkwood | 15 Mar 1940 | Arrived on posting |
AC | Bullock | 16 Mar 1940 | Attached to RAF Cardington for MT Course |
AC | Cottrell | 16 Mar 1940 | Attached to RAF Cardington for MT Course |
APO | W W Blackstone | 18 Mar 1940 | Attached to No 6 Balloon Centre for course |
Plt Off | M S Turpin | 18 Mar 1940 | Accountant Officer, returned from Accountant's course |
AC1 | Reader | 21 Mar 1940 | Disembodied from AAF |
Plt Off | J A Parker | 22 Mar 1940 | Returned from sick leave |
AC2 | Reader | 23 Mar 1940 | Disembodied from AAF |
AC2 | Bennett | 24 Mar 1940 | Disembodied from AAF |
APO | Goodall | 25 Mar 1940 | Ceased to be attached from No 914 Sqn |
LAC | Tilsesley | 25 Mar 1940 | Disembodied from AAF |
Plt Off | Bayley | 26 Mar 1940 | Ceased to be attached to RAF Loughborough for Disciplinary course |
AC2 | Roberts | 27 Mar 1940 | Disembodied from AAF |
AC2 | Bates | 27 Mar 1940 | Disembodied from AAF |
AC2 | Shepherd | 28 Mar 1940 | Arrived on posting |
Cpl | Stewart | 29 Mar 1940 | Disembodied from AAF |
ACW2 | D Meagher | 2 Apr 1940 | Posted to Record Office |
Flt Lt | N Edyvean Walker | 3 Apr 1940 | Posted to No 6 Balloon Centre for Barrage Control duties |
Plt Off | J A Parker | 4 Apr 1940 | Returned from temporary duty with No 915 Sqn |
AC2 | Warry | 5 Apr 1940 | Clerk/GD, arrived on posting |
AC2 | Poole | 5 Apr 1940 | Clerk/GD, arrived on posting |
Cpl | Avery | 8 Apr 1940 | Disembodied from AAF |
AC1 | H Levine | 8 Apr 1940 | Disembodied from AAF |
AC | O'Neill | 8 Apr 1940 | Posted to RAF Halton |
APO | W W Blackstone | 19 Apr 1940 | Attached to RAF Loughborough for Disciplinary course |
AC1 | G Bright | 19 Apr 1940 | Disembodied from AAF |
AC2 | H Brinsdon | 25 Apr 1940 | Disembodied from AAF |
AC2 | G C Mercer | 25 Apr 1940 | Disembodied from AAF |
AC2 | D R Forbes | 25 Apr 1940 | ACH/GD, arrived on posting |
Fg Off | A M Makepeace | 27 Apr 1940 | Attached to RAF Loughborough for Disciplinary course |
Plt Off | H S Wynne-Edwards | 1 May 1940 | Arrived on posting for duty as Assistant Adjutant |
ACW1 | E M Lawson | 1 May 1940 | Posted to No 48 MU |
ACW2 | F G Smith | 1 May 1940 | Posted to No 48 MU |
ACW2 | J M Docker | 2 May 1940 | Posted to No 6 Balloon Centre |
Flt Lt | Limehouse | 6 May 1940 | Proceeded on sick leave following accident |
Plt Off | M S Turpin | 6 May 1940 | Accountant Officer, attached to No 6 Balloon Centre for course |
Plt Off | H S Wynne-Edwards | 6 May 1940 | Assistant Adjutant, attached to No 6 Balloon Centre for course |
Cpl | E H Evans | 8 May 1940 | Disembodied from AAF |
APO | Kent | 9 May 1940 | Attached from No 6 Balloon Centre |
APO | W W Blackstone | 10 May 1940 | Ceased to be attached to RAF Loughborough for Disciplinary course |
Plt Off | H N Reynolds | 14 May 1940 | Posted to No 35 MU, Heywood |
Fg Off | A M Makepeace | 17 May 1940 | Ceased to be attached to RAF Loughborough for Disciplinary course |
Plt Off | J A Parker | 17 May 1940 | Attached to RAF Loughborough for Disciplinary course |
Flt Sgt | H J Allen | 20 May 1940 | Attached for duty as WO Balloons |
ACW2 | E A Preston | 20 May 1940 | Posted to RAF West Drayton |
Flt Lt | Limehouse | 23 May 1940 | Retuned from sick leave |
Fg Off | A M Makepeace | 23 May 1940 | Appointed Sqn Welfare Officer |
AC1 | H J Rawlinson | 23 May 1940 | Posted to No 6 Balloon Centre |
Plt Off | J E Crock | 1 Jun 1940 | Arrived on posting for Equipment duties |
Flt Sgt | E Elson | 1 Jun 1940 | Posted out |
Flt Sgt | H J Allen | 6 Jun 1940 | Posted in for duty as WO Balloons |
Plt Off | J A Parker | 8 Jun 1940 | Ceased to be attached to RAF Loughborough for Disciplinary course |
Plt Off | J A Parker | 17 Jun 1940 | Attached to No 915 Sqn |
Plt Off | Kent | 17 May 1940 | Attached to No 914 Sqn |
Fg Off | A M Makepeace | 19 Jun 1940 | Embarked for Rhodesia on posting to No 20 SFTS for Admin duties |
Sgt | T L Roberts | 26 Jun 1940 | Arrived on posting for duty as NCO i/c Orderly Room |
AC1 | Green | 1 Jul 1940 | Proceeded to RAF Little Rissington on being commissioned |
Plt Off | A S C Eagles | 8 Jul 1940 | Arrived on posting |
Plt Off | Dawson | 9 Jul 1940 | Arrived on posting |
Plt Off | J E Crock | 22 Jul 1940 | Equipment Officer, attached to No 6 Balloon Centre for Disciplinary course |
Plt Off | H S Wynne-Edwards | 22 Jul 1940 | Assistant Adjutant, attached to No 6 Balloon Centre for Disciplinary course |
Plt Off | J E Crock | 30 Jul 1940 | Equipment Officer, ceased to be attached to No 6 Balloon Centre for Disciplinary course |
Plt Off | H S Wynne-Edwards | 30 Jul 1940 | Assistant Adjutant, ceased to be attached to No 6 Balloon Centre for Disciplinary course |
Sgt | Stone | 16 Aug 1940 | Appointed to a commission and posted to No 950 Sqn |
Plt Off | H S Wynne-Edwards | 17 Aug 1940 | Assistant Adjutant, posted to No 919 Sqn |
Plt Off | A R Carfrae | 18 Aug 1940 | Arrived on posting for duty as Assistant Adjutant |
AC1 | Jackman | 22 Aug 1940 | Injured in a 'hit and run' accident |
Plt Off | Dawson | 7 Sep 1940 | Attached to No 914 Sqn |
Plt Off | Dale | 7 Sep 1940 | Arrived on posting from No 914 Sqn |
AC1 | Jackman | 7 Sep 1940 | Fractured his thigh in the blackout |
Plt Off | A R Carfrae | 9 Sep 1940 | Assistant Adjutant, attached to School of Administration, Gerrard's Cross for Junior Admin Course |
WO | Allen | 13 Sep 1940 | Injured in a motor cycle accident |
Sqn Ldr | G Skelton | 12 Oct 1940 | Posted to No 4 Balloon Centre |
Sqn Ldr | J M W Omand | 18 Oct 1940 | Arrived on posting and assumed command of No 917 Sqn |
Flt Lt | Limehouse | 24 Oct 1940 | Relinquished his commission on account of ill-health |
AC2 | Layland | 27 Oct 1940 | Injured by a motor car in Howes Lane |
Plt Off | Dawson | 6 Dec 1940 | Attached to No 971 Sqn |
Flt Lt | H J Riley | 16 Dec 1940 | Medical Officer, posted to No 5 Balloon Centre |
Fg Off | Sylvester | 16 Dec 1940 | Arrived on posting for duty as Medical Officer |
AC1 | T Roberts | 14 Nov 1940 | Killed in an air raid |
AC2 | S F Garraway | 14 Nov 1940 | Killed in an air raid |
AC1 | C A Baker | 22 Dec 1940 | Killed by a motor car in Warwick Road |
Plt Off | Gough | 31 Dec 1940 | Arrived on posting |
Source - No 917 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/2249)
Organisational Movements: Jan - Dec 1940
Date | Notes |
14 Oct 1940 | 'B' Flight HQ evacuated due to bomb damage |
14 Nov 1940 | Sqn HQ and 'A' Flight HQ damaged by bomb blast |
14 Nov 1940 | SSQ damaged and evacuated due to unexploded bomb |
Source - No 917 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/2249)
This page was last updated on 17/10/23