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Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation
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No 223 Sqn Personnel, aircraft and locations
[Jul 1937 | Jul 1938 | Jan 1939 | Apr 1939 | May 1939]
Personnel Movements: Dec 1936 - Jul 1937
| Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
| Sqn Ldr | J Whitworth-Jones | 15 Dec 1936 | Assumed command of No 223 Sqn on formation |
| Sqn Ldr | R T Taaffe | 8 Apr 1937 | Assumed command of No 223 Sqn |
Source - No 223 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/1374)
Organisational Movements: Dec 1936 - Jul 1937
| Date | Notes |
| 15 Dec 1936 | Reformed at Nairobi from 'B' Flight of No 45 Squadron equipped with Gordons |
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| xx Feb 1937 | Squadron underwent re-equipment with Vickers Vincents |
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Source - No 223 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/1374)
| Aircraft operated | Location | Command/Group |
| Vickers Vincent | RAF Nairobi | RAF Middle East |
| Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
| Sqn Ldr | R T Taaffe | 29 Mar 1937 | Officer Commanding, |
| Flt Lt | V C F Streatfield | 15 Dec 1936 | |
| Fg Off | D P Frost | 15 Dec 1936 | |
| Plt Off | W I McConnell | 1 Apr 1937 | |
| Plt Off | A M Bentley | 10 Apr 1937 | |
| Equipment Branch | |||
| Fg Off | H Stones | 18 Jan 1937 | |
| Accountant Branch | |||
| Fg Off | W M Lyons | 15 Dec 1936 | |
Source - July 1937 Air Force List
Personnel Movements: Jul 1937- Jul 1938
| Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
| Plt Off | W I McConnell | xx Oct 1937 | Invalided to HQ Middle East |
| Plt Off | G A Roden | 28 Oct 1937 | Arrived on posting |
| Sgt | Collis | 28 Oct 1937 | Arrived on posting |
| Plt Off | M H Romer | 30 Apr 1938 | Arrived on posting |
| Plt Off | R T Collier | 8 May 1938 | Arrived on posting, wef 29 Apr 1938 |
| Sqn Ldr | R T Taaffe | 28 May 1938 | Assumed command of SHQ, RAF Nairobi |
| Flt Lt | D P Frost | 28 May 1938 | Assumed command of No 223 Sqn |
| Plt Off | M H Romer | 14 Jun 1938 | Killed in a flying accident |
Source - No 223 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/1374)
Organisational Movements: Jul 1937- Jul 1938
| Date | Notes |
| xx Jun 1938 | Squadron commenced conversion from Vickers Vincents to Vickers Wellesleys |
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Source - No 223 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/1374)
| Aircraft operated | Location | Command/Group |
| Vickers Wellesley | RAF Nairobi | RAF Middle East |
| Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
| Flt Lt | D P Frost | 15 Dec 1936 | |
| Fg Off | R N Keeble | 30 Apr 1938 | |
| Fg Off | A M Bentley | 10 Apr 1937 | |
| Plt Off | W I McConnell | 1 Apr 1937 | |
| Plt Off | D H Cross | 29 Jan 1938 | |
| Plt Off | G A Roden | 28 Oct 1937 | |
| Plt Off | R T Collier | 29 Apr 1938 | |
| APO | G O Ross | 27 May 1938 | |
| APO | M E Abbott | 27 May 1938 | |
| Education Officer | |||
| Mr | R H Bennett | 10 Feb 1938 | |
| Warrant Officers | |||
| WO I | T Clare | 20 Sep 1937 | |
| WO I | W E Dunn | 6 Apr 1938 | |
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3 Airman Pilots |
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Source - July 1938 Air Force List
Personnel Movements: Jul 1938 - Jan 1939
| Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
| Sgt | F A Casewell | 23 Aug 1938 | Killed in a flying accident |
| AC1 | W A Beckett | 23 Aug 1938 | Killed in a flying accident |
| Sqn Ldr | R T Taaffe | 30 Dec 1938 | Assumed command of No 223 Sqn |
| Flt Lt | D P Frost | 30 Dec 1938 | Relinquished command of No 223 Sqn and was detached to the SAAF |
Source - No 223 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/1374)
Organisational Movements: Jul 1938 - Jan 1939
| Date | Notes |
| xx Jul 1938 | Squadron completed re-equipment with Wellesleys |
| 29 Sep 1938 | One Flight detached to Port Reitz during the International Crisis |
| 7 Oct 1938 | Detachment at Port Reitz returned to Nairobi |
Source - No 223 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/1374)
| Aircraft operated | Location | Command/Group |
| Vickers Wellesley | RAF Nairobi | RAF Middle East |
| Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
| Flt Lt | D P Frost | 15 Dec 1936 | |
| Act Flt Lt | E C Eaton | 3 Jun 1938 | |
| Fg Off | 7 Jul 1938 | later A/Cdre | |
| Plt Off | W I McConnell | 1 Apr 1937 | |
| Plt Off | D H Cross | 29 Jan 1938 | |
| Plt Off | G A Roden | 28 Oct 1937 | |
| Plt Off | R T Collier | 29 Apr 1938 | |
| Plt Off | C G S Robinson | 28 June 1938 | |
| Plt Off | G O Ross | 27 May 1938 | |
| Plt Off | M E Abbott | 27 May 1938 | |
| Plt Off | R J Tuffs | 10 Sep 1938 | |
| Plt Off | W A Wild | 10 Sep 1938 |
Source - January 1939 Air Force List
Personnel Movements: Jan - Apr 1939
| Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
| Lt | F C Camp | 10 Jan 1939 | Attached from SAAF |
Source - No 223 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/1374)
| Aircraft operated | Location | Command/Group |
| Vickers Wellesley | RAF Nairobi | RAF Middle East |
| Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
| Sqn Ldr | R T Taaffe | 30 Dec 1938 | |
| Act Flt Lt | E C Eaton | 3 Jun 1938 | |
| Fg Off | 7 Jul 1938 | later A/Cdre | |
| Fg Off | D H Cross | 29 Jan 1938 | |
| Fg Off | G A Roden | 28 Oct 1937 | |
| Fg Off | C G S Robinson | 28 June 1938 | |
| Fg Off | R T Collier | 29 Apr 1938 | |
| Plt Off | G O Ross | 27 May 1938 | |
| Plt Off | M E Abbott | 27 May 1938 | |
| Plt Off | R J Tuffs | 10 Sep 1938 | |
| Plt Off | W A Wild | 10 Sep 1938 |
Source - April 1939 Confidential Air Force List
| Aircraft operated | Location | Command/Group |
| Vickers Wellesley | RAF Nairobi | RAF Middle East |
| Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
| Sqn Ldr | R T Taaffe | 30 Dec 1938 | |
| Act Flt Lt | E C Eaton | 3 Jun 1938 | |
| Fg Off | 7 Jul 1938 | later A/Cdre | |
| Fg Off | D H Cross | 29 Jan 1938 | |
| Fg Off | G A Roden | 28 Oct 1937 | |
| Fg Off | C G S Robinson | 28 June 1938 | |
| Fg Off | R T Collier | 29 Apr 1938 | |
| Lt | F C Camp | 13 Jan 1939 | SAAF |
| Plt Off | G O Ross | 27 May 1938 | |
| Plt Off | M E Abbott | 27 May 1938 | |
| Plt Off | R J Tuffs | 10 Sep 1938 | |
| Plt Off | W A Wild | 10 Sep 1938 |
Source - May 1939 Confidential Air Force List
Personnel Movements: May - Dec 1939
| Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
| Lt | F C Camp | 22 Jul 1939 | Killed in a flying accident |
| Cpl | T Snaith | 22 Jul 1939 | Killed in a flying accident |
Source - No 223 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/1374)
Nominal roll of officers: 3 Sep 1939
| Rank | Name | Notes |
| Sqn Ldr | R T Taaffe | Officer Commanding |
| Fg Off | R T Collier | Adjutant |
| Flt Lt | J E Pelly-Fry | Officer Commanding, 'A' Flight |
| Flt Lt | Officer Commanding, 'B' Flight | |
| Flt Lt | D H Cross | Officer Commanding, 'C' Flight |
| Fg Off | C G S Robinson | |
| Fg Off | G A Roden | |
| Plt Off | G O Ross | |
| Plt Off | R J Tuffs | |
| Plt Off | M T E Jenkins | |
| Plt Off | J Wallace | |
| Plt Off | F R Bullot | |
| Plt Off | K H A Ellis | |
| Plt Off | P B Pickersgill | |
| Plt Off | N A Gidney | |
| Plt Off | G E Walker | |
| Plt Off | R D Shepherd | |
| Plt Off | L J Joel | |
| Plt Off | P F Willing | |
| Plt Off | P D C Thomas | |
| Plt Off | J C Smitheram | |
| Flt Lt | J C Blair | Medical Officer |
| Plt Off | M E Abbott | Left at Nairobi to follow later |
| Plt Off | W A Wild | Left at Nairobi to follow later |
Source - No 223 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/1374)
Organisational Movements: May - Dec 1939
| Date | Notes |
| xx Apr 1939 | Squadron allocated the code letters 'QR', but no evidence of use* |
| xx Jul 1939 | Squadron adopted the code letters 'AO'* |
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| xx Aug 1939 | The Squadron Badge was authorised by HM King George VI* |
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| 27 Aug 1939 | Squadron commenced the move to its War Station at Summit in the Sudan |
| 31 Aug 1939 | Squadron aircraft completed the move to Summit |
| 17 Sep 1939 | Final batch of personnel arrived at Summit |
Source - No 223 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/1374), except *
Personnel Movements: Jan - Dec 1940
| Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
| Sqn Ldr | R T Taaffe | 2 Feb 1940 | Relinquished command of No 223 Sqn on posting to Home Establishment |
| Sqn Ldr | J C Larking | 2 Feb 1940 | Assumed command of No 223 Sqn |
| Plt Off | Kemp | 21 Apr 1940 | Arrived on posting from Cairo for Cypher duties |
| Plt Off | A J Lewis | 28 Apr 1940 | Arrived on posting from Cairo for Intelligence duties |
| Plt Off | M E Abbott | 1 May 1940 | Promoted to Fg Off, wef 13 Mar 1940 |
| Plt Off | G O Ross | 1 May 1940 | Promoted to Fg Off, wef 13 Mar 1940 |
| Plt Off | P B Pickersgill | 14 May 1940 | Proceeded to RAF Abu Sueir for Gas Course |
| Plt Off | M T E Jenkins | 16 Jun 1940 | Killed in action |
| LAC | J J Dixon | 16 Jun 1940 | Killed in action |
| Fg Off | Giles | 22 Jun 1940 | Arrived on posting |
| Plt Off | Ap Simon | 22 Jun 1940 | Arrived on posting for Equipment duties |
| Sgt | B Poskitt | 30 Jun 1940 | Killed in action |
| LAC | L P Jepp | 30 Jun 1940 | Killed in action |
| Plt Off | Chopping | 15 Jul 1940 | Assumed the duties of Adjutant |
| Fg Off | R T Collier | 15 Jul 1940 | Relinquished the duties of Adjutant |
| Plt Off | P B Pickersgill | 15 Jul 1940 | Assumed the duties of Officer i/c Anti-Gas Section |
| Plt Off | L J Joel | 15 Jul 1940 | Relinquished the duties of Officer i/c Anti-Gas Section |
| Plt Off | R D Shepherd | 15 Jul 1940 | Assumed the duties of Officer i/c Sqn History |
| Plt Off | W A Wild | 15 Jul 1940 | Relinquished the duties of Officer i/c Sqn History |
| Cpl | F M Dunn | 29 Jul 1940 | Died from wounds |
| Plt Off | Gibson | 4 Aug 1940 | Arrived on posting from Egypt for duty as Adjutant |
| Sgt | Collis | 4 Aug 1940 | Appointed to a Commission in the rank of Plt Off |
| Sgt | Witty | 4 Aug 1940 | Appointed to a Commission in the rank of Plt Off |
| Plt Off | Collis | 5 Aug 1940 | Posted to No 47 Sqn |
| Plt Off | Witty | 5 Aug 1940 | Posted to No 47 Sqn |
| Flt Lt | J E Pelly-Fry | 8 Aug 1940 | Posted to No 47 Sqn to command |
| Plt Off | Cripps | 26 Aug 1940 | Arrived on posting for Cypher duties |
| Plt Off | J C Smitheram | 26 Aug 1940 | Killed in action |
| Sgt | D F Shaller | 26 Aug 1940 | Killed in action |
| Sgt | S E Meades | 26 Aug 1940 | Killed in action |
| Plt Off | P B Pickersgill | 30 Aug 1940 | Departed on posting to the Pilots' Pool, RAF Ismailia |
| Plt Off | F R Bullot | 30 Aug 1940 | Departed on posting to the Pilots' Pool, RAF Ismailia |
| Plt Off | K H A Ellis | 30 Aug 1940 | Departed on posting to the Pilots' Pool, RAF Ismailia |
| Plt Off | Gibson | 4 Sep 1940 | Adjutant, discharged from hospital in Port Sudan |
| Plt Off | G E Walker | 16 Sep 1940 | Killed in action |
| Sgt | H L S Price | 16 Sep 1940 | Killed in action |
| Plt Off | Buckle | 21 Sep 1940 | Arrived on posting and allocated to 'A' Flight (Air Observer) |
| Plt Off | Heath | 21 Sep 1940 | Arrived on posting and allocated to 'C' Flight (Air Observer) |
| Plt Off | White | 21 Sep 1940 | Arrived on posting and allocated to 'B' Flight (Air Gunner) |
| Plt Off | Pelling | 23 Sep 1940 | Arrived on posting and allocated to 'A' Flight |
| Plt Off | Dick | 23 Sep 1940 | Arrived on posting and allocated to 'C' Flight |
| Sgt | Bingley | 23 Sep 1940 | Arrived on posting and allocated to 'A' Flight |
| Sgt | Perks | 23 Sep 1940 | Arrived on posting (Wireless Operator/Air Gunner) and allocated to 'A' Flight |
| Sgt | Back | 23 Sep 1940 | Arrived on posting (Wireless Operator/Air Gunner) and allocated to 'A' Flight |
| Sgt | A A Heaney | 23 Sep 1940 | Arrived on posting (Wireless Operator/Air Gunner) and allocated to 'A' Flight |
| Sgt | Benstead | 23 Sep 1940 | Arrived on posting (Wireless Operator/Air Gunner) and allocated to 'B' Flight |
| Sgt | Burt | 23 Sep 1940 | Arrived on posting (Wireless Operator/Air Gunner) and allocated to 'B' Flight |
| Sgt | McCarthy | 23 Sep 1940 | Arrived on posting (Wireless Operator/Air Gunner) and allocated to 'B' Flight |
| Sgt | Smith | 23 Sep 1940 | Arrived on posting (Wireless Operator/Air Gunner) and allocated to 'B' Flight |
| Sgt | Porter | 23 Sep 1940 | Arrived on posting (Wireless Operator/Air Gunner) and allocated to 'C' Flight |
| Sgt | Conway | 23 Sep 1940 | Arrived on posting (Wireless Operator/Air Gunner) and allocated to 'C' Flight |
| Sgt | Cotton | 23 Sep 1940 | Arrived on posting (Wireless Operator/Air Gunner) and allocated to 'C' Flight |
| Sgt | French | 26 Sep 1940 | Arrived on posting (Air Gunner) and allocated to 'A' Flight |
| Sgt | Ball | 26 Sep 1940 | Arrived on posting (Air Gunner) and allocated to 'B' Flight |
| Sgt | Head | 26 Sep 1940 | Arrived on posting (Air Gunner) and allocated to 'C' Flight |
| Plt Off | G E Lewis | 8 Oct 1940 | Attached for Intelligence duties |
| Plt Off | A J Lewis | 11 Oct 1940 | Intelligence Officer, departed on posting to Khartoum |
| Flt Lt | D H Cross | 15 Oct 1940 | Posted to No 267 Sqn, RAF Heliopolis |
| Fg Off | R T Collier | 15 Oct 1940 | Assumed command of 'C' Flight |
| Plt Off | Gibson | 17 Oct 1940 | Assumed duties of Censor Officer |
| Plt Off | G E Lewis | 17 Oct 1940 | Relinquished duties of Censor Officer |
| Plt Off | White | 17 Oct 1940 | Assumed duties of OC, Camp Defence |
| Plt Off | Phillips | 17 Oct 1940 | Relinquished duties of OC, Camp Defence |
| Sgt | V C Durrant | 22 Oct 1940 | Killed in a flying accident |
| Sgt | R M C Edwards | 22 Oct 1940 | Killed in a flying accident |
| Sgt | A A Heaney | 22 Oct 1940 | Killed in a flying accident |
| Plt Off | J Wallace | 28 Oct 1940 | Promoted to Fg Off, wef 3 Sep 1940 |
| Plt Off | Shepherd | 28 Oct 1940 | Promoted to Fg Off, wef 3 Sep 1940 |
| Plt Off | Willing | 28 Oct 1940 | Promoted to Fg Off, wef 3 Sep 1940 |
| Plt Off | Thomas | 28 Oct 1940 | Promoted to Fg Off, wef 3 Sep 1940 |
| Plt Off | Joel | 28 Oct 1940 | Promoted to Fg Off, wef 3 Sep 1940 |
| Plt Off | Phillips | 28 Oct 1940 | Promoted to Fg Off, wef 3 Sep 1940 |
| Plt Off | Gidney | 28 Oct 1940 | Promoted to Fg Off, wef 3 Sep 1940 |
| Plt Off | G E Lewis | 1 Nov 1940 | Intelligence Officer, departed on posting |
| Plt Off | Evans | 1 Nov 1940 | Assumed temporary duties of Intelligence Officer |
| Fg Off | G A Roden | 5 Nov 1940 | Proceeded to TURP for conversion to Wellingtons on posting to No 70 Sqn |
| Fg Off | Ross | 5 Nov 1940 | Proceeded to TURP for conversion to Wellingtons on posting to No 70 Sqn |
| Fg Off | Abbott | 5 Nov 1940 | Proceeded to TURP for conversion to Wellingtons on posting to No 70 Sqn |
| Fg Off | Tuffs | 5 Nov 1940 | Proceeded to TURP for conversion to Wellingtons on posting to No 70 Sqn |
| Plt Off | Dick | 5 Nov 1940 | Proceeded to TURP for conversion to Wellingtons on posting to No 70 Sqn |
| Sqn Ldr | J C Larking | 9 Nov 1940 | Relinquished command of No 223 Sqn on posting to No 254 Wing |
| Flt Lt | 9 Nov 1940 | Assumed command of No 223 Sqn | |
| Plt Off | Wild | 9 Nov 1940 | Assumed command of 'B' Flight |
| Sgt | Ballantyne | 21 Nov 1940 | Arrived on posting from TURP and allocated to 'B' Flight |
| Flt Lt | 9 Dec 1940 | Promoted to Act Sqn Ldr | |
| Plt Off | Wild | 9 Dec 1940 | Promoted to Act Flt Lt |
| Plt Off | Cripps | 17 Dec 1940 | Departed on attachment to No 254 Wing |
| Plt Off | Gibson | 17 Dec 1940 | Departed on attachment to No 251 MRU |
Source - No 223 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/1374)
Organisational Movements: Jan - Dec 1940
| Date | Notes |
| 15 Jan 1940 | 'A' Flight moved from Summit to Khartoum |
| 20 Jan 1940 | 'B' Flight moved from Summit to Khartoum |
| 21 Jan 1940 | Main rail party arrived at Khartoum from Summit |
| 22 Jan 1940 | Squadron HQ opened at Khartoum |
| 26 Jan 1940 | 'C' Flight moved from Summit to Khartoum |
| 29 Jan 1940 | 'Rear party moved from Summit to Khartoum |
| 17 May 1940 | Advance party departed Khartoum for its War Station at Summit by air |
| 17 May 1940 | Main party departed Khartoum for its War Station at Summit by rail |
| 18 May 1940 | Main party arrived at Summitl |
| 18 May 1940 | Air party departed Khartoum for its War Station at Summit |
| 13 Aug 1940 | 11 x aircraft departed Summit for Aden |
| 14 Aug 1940 | 10 x aircraft arrived at Aden, one force landing following engine failure |
| 22 Aug 1940 | Squadron departed Aden for Summit |
| 1 Dec 1940 | Squadron completed its move from Summit to Wadi Gazouza |
Source - No 223 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/1374)
[Jul 1937 | Jul 1938 | Jan 1939 | Apr 1939 | May 1939]
This page was last updated on 18/03/25©
