Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation
[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]
This was formed on 1 June 1923 at RAF Base Leuchars for service with HMS Hermes, equipped with Parnell Plovers and Nieuport Nightjars.
Date | Location |
1 Jun 1923 | RAF Base Leuchars |
Aircraft operated | Shore Station/Ship | Command/Group |
Parnell Plover Nieuport Nightjar |
RAF Base Leuchars | Coastal area |
Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
Plt Off | Anthony E B Bateman | 1 Jun 1923 | |
Plt Off | Maurice Wiblin | 1 Jun 1923 |
Source - Air Force List July 1923
Aircraft operated | Shore Station/Ship | Command/Group |
Parnell Plover Nieuport Nightjar |
RAF Base Leuchars | Coastal area |
Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
Flt Lt | Albert W Fletcher | 1 Jun 1923 | Officer Commanding, DFC, AFC |
Fg Off | Thomas Brewin | 1 Aug 1923 | |
Fg Off | John J Comerford | 17 Jul 1923 | |
Fg Off | Eric D Cummings | 25 Jun 1923 | DFC |
Fg Off | Stephen H G Trower | 22 Jun 1923 | |
Fg Off | Leonard Young | 20 Aug 1923 | |
Fg Off | Godfrey W Dean | 22 Jun 1923 |
Source - Air Force List January 1924
Date | Location |
17 Mar 1924 | HMS Hermes |
Aircraft operated | Shore Station/Ship | Command/Group |
Parnell Plover Nieuport Nightjar |
HMS Hermes | Coastal area |
Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
Flt Lt | Albert W Fletcher | 1 Jun 1923 | Officer Commanding, DFC, AFC |
Fg Off | Thomas Brewin | 1 Aug 1923 | |
Fg Off | John B Lynch | 1 Apr 1923 | |
Fg Off | John J Comerford | 17 Jul 1923 | |
Fg Off | Stephen H G Trower | 22 Jun 1923 | |
Fg Off | Leonard Young | 20 Aug 1923 | |
Fg Off | Godfrey W Dean | 22 Jun 1923 |
Source - Air Force List May 1924
It re-equipped with Fairey Flycatchers in July 1924
Date | Location |
28 Jul 1924 | RAF Base Gosport |
13 Nov 1924 | HMS Hermes |
22 Nov 1924 | RAF Hal Far |
Source - January 1925 Air Force List
Source - February 1925 Air Force List
Source - March 1925 Air Force List
Date | Location |
10 Mar 1925 | HMS Hermes |
23 Mar 1925 | RAF Hal Far |
Source - April 1925 Air Force List
Source - May 1925 Air Force List
Source - June 1925 Air Force List
Date | Location |
30 Jun 1925 | HMS Hermes |
11 Jul 1925 | RAF Hal Far |
15 Jul 1925 | HMS Hermes |
Aircraft operated | Shore Station/Ship | Command/Group |
Fairey Flycatcher | HMS Hermes | RAF Mediterranean |
Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
Flt Lt | Albert W Fletcher | 1 Jun 1923 | Officer Commanding, OBE, DFC, AFC |
Fg Off | Thomas Brewin | 1 Aug 1923 | |
Fg Off | James V Medcalf | 15 Nov 1924 | |
Fg Off | Arthur A R Chipper | 8 Oct 1924 | |
Fg Off | Eric S Burns | 14 Aug 1924 | later A/Cdre |
Fg Off | John B Lynch | 1 Apr 1923 | |
Fg Off | Leonard Young | 20 Aug 1923 | |
Fg Off | Maurice A Maude | 27 May 1925 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | Harry M A Day | 27 May 1925 | Lt, RN, AM |
Fg Off | Ian R Grant | 27 May 1925 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | John H F Burroughs | 27 May 1925 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | Edwin B Carnduff | 27 May 1925 | Lt, RN |
Plt Off | Norman Young | 15 Nov 1924 |
Source - Air Force List July 1925
Date | Location |
22 Sep 1925 | RAF Base Kai Tak |
7 Jan 1926 | HMS Hermes |
Aircraft operated | Shore Station/Ship | Command/Group |
Fairey Flycatcher | HMS Hermes | RAF Mediterranean |
Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
Flt Lt | Albert W Fletcher | 1 Jun 1923 | Officer Commanding, OBE, DFC, AFC |
Fg Off | Thomas Brewin | 1 Aug 1923 | |
Fg Off | James V Medcalf | 15 Nov 1924 | |
Fg Off | Leonard Young | 20 Aug 1923 | |
Fg Off | Maurice A Maude | 27 May 1925 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | Harry M A Day | 27 May 1925 | Lt, RN, AM |
Fg Off | Ian R Grant | 27 May 1925 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | John H F Burroughs | 27 May 1925 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | Edwin B Carnduff | 27 May 1925 | Lt, RN |
Plt Off | Norman Young | 15 Nov 1924 |
Source - March 1926 Air Force List
Date | Location |
9 Apr 1926 | RAF Hal Far |
17 Jun 1926 | HMS Hermes |
Aircraft operated | Shore Station/Ship | Command/Group |
Fairey Flycatcher | HMS Hermes | RAF Mediterranean |
Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
Flt Lt | Walter E Swann | 3 Apr 1926 | Officer Commanding, |
Fg Off | Leonard Young | 20 Aug 1923 | |
Fg Off | Edward M C Abel-Smith | 3 Apr 1926 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | Ian R Grant | 27 May 1925 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | John H F Burroughs | 27 May 1925 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | John D Ainger | 3 Apr 1926 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | Edwin B Carnduff | 27 May 1925 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | Andrew N Grey | 10 Apr 1926 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | Owen C Jones | 15 Mar 1926 | Lt, RM |
Fg Off | George F Renwick | 15 Mar 1926 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | Guy Willoughby | 15 Mar 1926 | Lt, RN |
Source - Air Force List July 1926
Date | Location |
11 Aug 1926 | RAF Hal Far |
23 Aug 1926 | HMS Hermes |
14 Oct 1926 | RAF Base Kai Tak |
15 Nov 1926 | HMS Hermes |
8 Nov 1926 | RAF Base Kai Tak |
Aircraft operated | Shore Station/Ship | Command/Group |
Fairey Flycatcher | HMS Hermes | RAF Mediterranean |
Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
Flt Lt | Walter E Swann | 3 Apr 1926 | Officer Commanding, |
Fg Off | Maurice Wiblin | 18 Sep 1926 | |
Fg Off | Edward M C Abel-Smith | 3 Apr 1926 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | Ian R Grant | 27 May 1925 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | John H F Burroughs | 27 May 1925 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | Edwin B Carnduff | 27 May 1925 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | John S Newall | 18 Sep 1926 | Armament duties |
Fg Off | Owen C Jones | 15 Mar 1926 | Lt, RM |
Fg Off | George F Renwick | 15 Mar 1926 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | Guy Willoughby | 15 Mar 1926 | Lt, RN |
Source - December 1926 Air Force List
Date | Location |
14 Dec 1926 | HMS Hermes |
16 Dec 1926 | RAF Base Kai Tak |
7 Feb 1927 | HMS Hermes |
10 Feb 1927 | RAF Base Kai Tak |
25 Apr 1927 | HMS Hermes |
27 Apr 1927 | RAF Base Kai Tak |
5 May 1927 | HMS Hermes |
22 Jun 1927 | RAF Base Kai Tak |
Aircraft operated | Shore Station/Ship | Command/Group |
Fairey Flycatcher | HMS Hermes | RAF Mediterranean |
Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
Flt Lt | Walter E Swann | 3 Apr 1926 | Officer Commanding, |
Fg Off | Maurice Wiblin | 18 Sep 1926 | |
Fg Off | Edward M C Abel-Smith | 3 Apr 1926 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | Ian R Grant | 27 May 1925 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | John H F Burroughs | 27 May 1925 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | Edwin B Carnduff | 27 May 1925 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | John S Newall | 18 Sep 1926 | Armament duties |
Fg Off | Owen C Jones | 15 Mar 1926 | Lt, RM |
Fg Off | George F Renwick | 15 Mar 1926 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | Guy Willoughby | 15 Mar 1926 | Lt, RN |
Source - Air Force List July 1927
Date | Location |
8 Jul 1927 | HMS Hermes |
28 Oct 1927 | RAF Base Gosport |
19 Jan 1928 | HMS Hermes |
21-23 Jun 1928 | Wei-hai-Wei (Detachment) |
Aircraft operated | Shore Station/Ship | Command/Group |
Fairey Flycatcher | HMS Hermes | RAF Mediterranean |
Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
Flt Lt | Edward M C Abel-Smith | 3 Apr 1926 | Officer Commanding, Lt, RN |
Fg Off | Harry M A Day | 20 Mar 1928 | Capt, RM, AM |
Fg Off | George F Renwick | 15 Mar 1926 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | John F M Robertson | 26 Oct 1927 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | Arthur M Pilling | 26 Oct 1927 | Lt, RM |
Fg Off | Richard H Barrett | 2 Jan 1928 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | Eric M Thompson | 2 Jan 1928 |
Source - Air Force List July 1928
Aircraft operated | Shore Station/Ship | Command/Group |
Fairey Flycatcher | HMS Hermes | RAF Mediterranean |
Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
Flt Lt | Edward M C Abel-Smith | 3 Apr 1926 | Officer Commanding, Lt Cdr, RN |
Fg Off | Harry M A Day | 20 Mar 1928 | Capt, RM, AM |
Fg Off | George F Renwick | 15 Mar 1926 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | Arthur M Pilling | 26 Oct 1927 | Lt, RM |
Fg Off | Richard H Barrett | 2 Jan 1928 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | Eric M Thompson | 2 Jan 1928 | |
Fg Off | John B M Wallis | 20 Mar 1928 | Armament duties; later A/Cdre |
Source - September 1928 Air Force List
Date | Location |
22 Oct 1928 | RAF Base Kai Tak |
15 Nov 1928 | HMS Hermes |
19 Dec 1928 | RAF Base Kai Tak |
2 Apr 1929 | HMS Hermes |
5 Apr 1929 | RAF Base Kai Tak |
13 May 1929 | HMS Hermes |
4 Jun - 17 Sep 1929 | Wei-hai-Wei (Detachment) |
Aircraft operated | Shore Station/Ship | Command/Group |
Fairey Flycatcher | HMS Hermes | China Station |
Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
Flt Lt | Tom O Bulteel | 30 Jan 1929 | Officer Commanding, Lt Cdr, RN |
Fg Off | Arthur M Pilling | 26 Oct 1927 | Lt, RM |
Fg Off | Richard H Barrett | 2 Jan 1928 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | Humphrey W Metcalfe | 19 Oct 1928 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | John B M Wallis | 20 Mar 1928 | Armament duties; later A/Cdre |
Fg Off | Peter D Heinemann | 18 Sep 1928 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | John S Martin | 8 Jan 1929 | Lt, RM |
Fg Off | Donald G F W Macintyre | 19 Oct 1928 | Lt, RN |
Plt Off | Arthur D Bennett | 15 Feb 1929 | |
Plt Off | Edouard M F Grundy | 2 May 1929 | later AM |
Source - Air Force List July 1929
Date | Location |
29 Oct 1929 | RAF Base Kai Tak |
25 Nov 1929 | HMS Hermes |
26 Nov 1929 | RAF Base Kai Tak |
3 Jun 1930 | HMS Hermes |
Aircraft operated | Shore Station/Ship | Command/Group |
Fairey Flycatcher | HMS Hermes | China Station |
Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
Flt Lt | Tom O Bulteel | 30 Jan 1929 | Officer Commanding, Lt Cdr, RN |
Fg Off | Richard H Barrett | 2 Jan 1928 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | Humphrey W Metcalfe | 19 Oct 1928 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | John B M Wallis | 20 Mar 1928 | Armament duties; later A/Cdre |
Fg Off | Peter D Heinemann | 18 Sep 1928 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | Donald G F W Macintyre | 19 Oct 1928 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | Richard Brown | 26 Jul 1929 | |
Plt Off | Arthur D Bennett | 15 Feb 1929 | |
Plt Off | Edouard M F Grundy | 2 May 1929 | later AM |
Source - Air Force List July 1930
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
Date | Location |
23 Sep 1930 | RAF Base Gosport |
11 Nov 1930 | HMS Hermes |
20 Nov 1930 | RAF Hal Far |
24 Nov 1930 | HMS Hermes |
2 Jan 1931 | RAF Base Kai Tak |
19 Jan 1931 | HMS Hermes |
23 Jan 1931 | RAF Base Kai Tak |
27 Jan 1931 | HMS Hermes |
30 Jan 1931 | RAF Base Kai Tak |
5 Jun 1931 | HMS Hermes |
9 Jun - 19 Aug 1931 | Wei-hai-Wei (Detachment) |
Aircraft operated | Shore Station/Ship | Command/Group |
Fairey Flycatcher | HMS Hermes | China Station |
Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
Flt Lt | George R M Robertson | 29 Sep 1930 | Officer Commanding, Lt Cdr, RN |
Fg Off | Richard Brown | 26 Jul 1929 | |
Fg Off | Richard H S Roundell | 2 Mar1931 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | John H Charsley | 29 Sep 1930 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | William H Parkin | 29 Sep 1930 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | Arthur D Bennett | 15 Feb 1929 | |
Fg Off | Henry M King | 29 Sep 1930 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | Denis A H Hornell | 3 Jun 1931 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | Edouard M F Grundy | 2 May 1929 | later AM |
Source - Air Force List July 1931
Date | Location |
7 Nov 1931 | RAF Base Kai Tak |
23 Apr 1932 | HMS Hermes |
Aircraft operated | Shore Station/Ship | Command/Group |
Fairey Flycatcher | HMS Hermes | China Station |
Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
Flt Lt | George R M Robertson | 29 Sep 1930 | Officer Commanding, Lt Cdr, RN |
Fg Off | Robert A Kilroy | 19 Mar 1932 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | Richard Brown | 26 Jul 1929 | |
Fg Off | John H Charsley | 29 Sep 1930 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | William H Parkin | 29 Sep 1930 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | Denis A H Hornell | 3 Jun 1931 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | John C Cockburn | 22 Dec 1931 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | Hilary R L Hood | 9 Oct 1931 | |
Fg Off | James W C More | 12 Feb 1932 | |
Plt Off | Frank E Stokes | 27 May 1932 |
Source - Air Force List July 1932
It had also been providing aircraft to ships of the 5th Cruiser Squadron from July 1932 so its strength was increased to nine aircraft in January 1933.
Date | Location |
28 Oct 1932 | RAF Base Kai Tak |
28 Nov 1932 | HMS Hermes |
2 Dec 1932 | RAF Base Kai Tak |
30 Jan 1933 | HMS Hermes |
17 Feb 1933 | RAF Base Kai Tak |
11 Apr 1933 | HMS Hermes |
13 Apr 1933 | RAF Base Kai Tak |
1 May 1933 | HMS Hermes |
3 Jun 1933 | RAF Base Kai Tak |
Aircraft operated | Naval Command | Command/Group |
Fairey Flycatcher | 5th Cruiser Squadron, China | RAF Far East |
Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
Flt Lt | George R M Robertson | 29 Sep 1930 | Officer Commanding, Lt Cdr, RN |
Flt Lt | Ian R Grant | 16 Mar 1933 | Lt Cdr, RN |
Fg Off | Robert A Kilroy | 19 Mar 1932 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | Denis A H Hornell | 3 Jun 1931 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | John C Cockburn | 22 Dec 1931 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | John H T Boteler | 23 Sep 1932 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | Hilary R L Hood | 9 Oct 1931 | |
Fg Off | Peter L Jamison | 23 Sep 1932 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | James W C More | 12 Feb 1932 | |
Fg Off | Frank E Stokes | 27 May 1932 |
Source - Air Force List July 1933
Aircraft operated | Naval Command | Command/Group |
Fairey Flycatcher | 5th Cruiser Squadron, China | RAF Far East |
Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
Flt Lt | Ian R Grant | 16 Mar 1933 | Officer Commanding, Lt Cdr, RN |
Fg Off | John C Cockburn | 22 Dec 1931 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | John H T Boteler | 23 Sep 1932 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | Peter L Jamison | 23 Sep 1932 | Lt, RN |
Source - January 1934 Air Force List
In May 1934 it received Hawker Osprey IIIs
Aircraft operated | Naval Command | Command/Group |
Hawker Osprey III | 5th Cruiser Squadron, China | RAF Far East |
Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
Flt Lt | Ian R Grant | 16 Mar 1933 | Officer Commanding, Lt Cdr, RN |
Fg Off | Vivian D Gask | 19 Dec 1933 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | John H T Boteler | 23 Sep 1932 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | James N Garnett | 24 May 1934 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | Peter L Jamison | 23 Sep 1932 | Lt, RN |
Source - Air Force List July 1934
The Flycatchers were withdrawn from the Flight in April 1935
Aircraft operated | Naval Command | Command/Group |
Hawker Osprey III | 5th Cruiser Squadron, China | RAF Far East |
Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
Flt Lt | Aylmer M Rundle | 27 Aug 1934 | Officer Commanding, Lt Cdr, RN |
Fg Off | George B Kingdon | 21 Oct 1934 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | Vivian D Gask | 19 Dec 1933 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | James N Garnett | 24 May 1934 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | Henry J F Lane | 5 Apr 1935 | Lt, RN |
Source - Air Force List July 1935
It received some Walrus' in June 1936
Aircraft operated | Naval Command | Command/Group |
Hawker Osprey III | 5th Cruiser Squadron, China | RAF Far East |
Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
Flt Lt | Edward O F Price | 20 Aug 1935 | Officer Commanding, Lt Cdr, RN |
Fg Off | George B Kingdon | 21 Oct 1934 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | W P Lucy | 16 Jan 1936 | Lt, RN |
Fg Off | Henry J F Lane | 5 Apr 1935 | Lt, RN |
Source - Air Force List July 1936
It was redesignated No 715 (Catapult) Squadron on 15 July 1936.
Re-equipment and movement dates are based on those shown in 'Squadrons of the Fleet Air Arm' by Ray Sturtivant
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This page was last updated on 08/07/19