Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation
No 263 Sqn Personnel, aircraft and locations
Personnel Movements: Oct - Dec 1939
| Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
| Sqn Ldr | J W Donaldson | 2 Oct 1939 | Arrived on posting and assumed command of No 263 Sqn |
| Act Flt Lt | R S Mills | 2 Oct 1939 | Arrived on posting from HQ Fighter Command and assumed command of 'A' Flight |
| Fg Off | T Rowland | 2 Oct 1939 | Arrived on posting from HQ No 11 Group and assumed command of 'B' Flight |
| Plt Off | J A Dixon | 2 Oct 1939 | Arrived on posting |
| Plt Off | P Wyatt-Smith | 2 Oct 1939 | Arrived on posting |
| Plt Off | M A Craig-Adams | 2 Oct 1939 | Arrived on posting |
| Plt Off | L R Jacobsen | 2 Oct 1939 | Arrived on posting |
| Plt Off | P H Purdy | 2 Oct 1939 | Arrived on posting |
| Plt Off | S R McNamara | 2 Oct 1939 | Arrived on posting |
| Plt Off | J M Abell | 2 Oct 1939 | Arrived on posting |
| Plt Off | P B Hillcoat | 2 Oct 1939 | Arrived on posting |
| Plt Off | G W B Austin | 2 Oct 1939 | Arrived on posting |
| Plt Off | J G Hughes | 2 Oct 1939 | Arrived on posting |
| Plt Off | I F McDermott | 2 Oct 1939 | Arrived on posting |
| Plt Off | D E D Milsom | 2 Oct 1939 | Arrived on posting |
| Plt Off | J W McKenzie | 2 Oct 1939 | Arrived on posting |
| Plt Off | P J N Nettleton | 2 Oct 1939 | Arrived on posting |
| WO | A Smart | 2 Oct 1939 | Arrived on posting for duty as Sqn Disciplinarian |
| WO | Sanders | 2 Oct 1939 | Arrived on posting for duty as Sqn Armament Officer |
| Sgt Plt | A E Makin | 2 Oct 1939 | Arrived on posting |
| Sgt Plt | R T Llewellyn | 2 Oct 1939 | Arrived on posting |
| Sgt Plt | E E Russell | 2 Oct 1939 | Arrived on posting |
| Sgt Plt | K P Vickery | 2 Oct 1939 | Arrived on posting |
| Plt Off | W E Hunt | 6 Oct 1939 | Arrived on posting for duty as Adjutant |
| Plt Off | J M Abell | 11 Oct 1939 | Posted to No 605 Sqn, RAF Tangmere |
| Plt Off | P B Hillcoat | 11 Oct 1939 | Posted to No 605 Sqn, RAF Tangmere |
| Plt Off | G W B Austin | 11 Oct 1939 | Posted to No 605 Sqn, RAF Tangmere |
| Sgt Plt | B E Whall | 11 Oct 1939 | Arrived on posting from No 605 Sqn, RAF Tangmere |
| Sgt Plt | P Watson-Parker | 11 Oct 1939 | Arrived on posting from No 605 Sqn, RAF Tangmere |
| Sgt Plt | H H Kitchener | 11 Oct 1939 | Arrived on posting from No 605 Sqn, RAF Tangmere |
| Sgt Plt | P Watson-Parker | 21 Oct 1939 | Admitted to Lydney Hospital following a flying accident |
| WO | W F Diggins | 6 Nov 1939 | Arrived on posting from No 1 AAS, RAF Manby |
| Flt Sgt | B R Grant | 11 Nov 1940 | Promoted to Temp WO |
| Sgt Plt | D W Mason | 14 Nov 1939 | Arrived on posting from No 11 Group Pool |
| Sgt Plt | A E Makin | 25 Nov 1939 | Posted to No 41 Sqn, RAF Catterick |
| Sgt Plt | R T Llewellyn | 25 Nov 1939 | Posted to No 41 Sqn, RAF Catterick |
| Act Flt Lt | R S Mills | 1 Dec 1939 | Promoted to Flt Lt, wef 25 Nov 1939 |
| Fg Off | T Rowland | 2 Dec 1939 | Promoted to Act Flt Lt, wef 2 Oct 1939 |
| Plt Off | S R McNamara | 2 Dec 1939 | Attached to the Royal Navy for duty as a Liaison Officer |
| Cpl | T F Thornber | 2 Dec 1939 | Attached to the Ground Training School, RAF Eastchurch for training |
| Cpl | W J McDonald | 2 Dec 1939 | Attached to the Ground Training School, RAF Eastchurch for training |
| Cpl | J G Boggan | 2 Dec 1939 | Attached to the Ground Training School, RAF Eastchurch for training |
| Cpl | V Misstearc | 2 Dec 1939 | Attached to the Ground Training School, RAF Eastchurch for training |
| LAC | S Vincent | 2 Dec 1939 | Attached to the Ground Training School, RAF Eastchurch for training |
| LAC | J G Dumbleton | 2 Dec 1939 | Attached to the Ground Training School, RAF Eastchurch for training |
| LAC | A E Thorn | 2 Dec 1939 | Attached to the Ground Training School, RAF Eastchurch for training |
| LAC | R Davies | 2 Dec 1939 | Attached to the Ground Training School, RAF Eastchurch for training |
| AC1 | G E Manley | 2 Dec 1939 | Attached to the Ground Training School, RAF Eastchurch for training |
| AC2 | T W Trow | 2 Dec 1939 | Attached to the Ground Training School, RAF Eastchurch for training |
| AC2 | G R Angus | 2 Dec 1939 | Attached to the Ground Training School, RAF Eastchurch for training |
| AC2 | J K McLean | 2 Dec 1939 | Attached to the Ground Training School, RAF Eastchurch for training |
| AC2 | G E Parry | 2 Dec 1939 | Attached to the Ground Training School, RAF Eastchurch for training |
| AC2 | R S Saunders | 2 Dec 1939 | Attached to the Ground Training School, RAF Eastchurch for training |
| AC2 | B H Williams | 2 Dec 1939 | Attached to the Ground Training School, RAF Eastchurch for training |
| AC2 | J H Wilson | 2 Dec 1939 | Attached to the Ground Training School, RAF Eastchurch for training |
| AC2 | L J Cheeseman | 2 Dec 1939 | Attached to the Ground Training School, RAF Eastchurch for training |
| AC2 | E Evans | 2 Dec 1939 | Attached to the Ground Training School, RAF Eastchurch for training |
| AC2 | C Bowyer | 2 Dec 1939 | Attached to the Ground Training School, RAF Eastchurch for training |
| Sgt | W F Howells | 4 Dec 1940 | Arrived on posting from No 1 Balloon Training Unit, RAF Cardington |
| Sgt Plt | D W Mason | 9 Dec 1939 | Posted to No 141 Sqn, RAF Turnhouse |
Source - No 263 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/1547)
Organisational Movements: Oct - Dec 1939
| Date | Notes |
| 2 Oct 1939 | Formed at RAF Filton |
| 10 Oct 1939 | 6 x Gloster Gladiators collected from No 605 Sqn, RAF Tangmere |
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| 11 Oct 1939 | 4 x Gladiators received |
| 26 Oct 1939 | 6 x new Gladiators collected from No 8 MU, RAF Little Rissington |
| 27 Oct 1939 | 5 x new Gladiators collected from No 8 MU, RAF Little Rissington |
| 28 Oct 1939 | 5 x new Gladiators collected from No 8 MU, RAF Little Rissington |
| 6 Nov 1939 | 6 x new Gladiators collected from No 6 MU, RAF Brize Norton |
| 14 Nov 1949 | Squadron completed re-equipment of its Gladiators with Browning .303 machine guns |
Source - No 263 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/1547)
Personnel Movements: Jan - Dec 1940
| Rank | Name | Date | Notes |
| Flt Lt | R S Mills | 2 Jan 1940 | Attached to RAF Northolt for Air Fighting Course |
| Plt Off | S R McNamara | 2 Jan 1940 | Assumed temporary command of 'A' Flight |
| WO | A Smart | 11 Jan 1940 | Posted to HQ, British Air Forces in France |
| Flt Lt | R S Mills | 14 Jan 1940 | Ceased to be ttached to RAF Northolt and resumed command of 'A' Flight |
| Plt Off | S R McNamara | 14 Jan 1940 | Relinquished temporary command of 'A' Flight |
| Flt Sgt | T W P Dixon | 23 Jan 1940 | Fitter/Armourer, posted to Air Component, BEF in France |
| LAC | G Fisk | 23 Jan 1940 | ACH, posted to Air Component, BEF in France |
| Act Cpl | S Robinson | 23 Jan 1940 | ACH/Service Police, posted to Air Component, BEF in France |
| AC2 | D Williams | 23 Jan 1940 | Posted to HQ Balloon Command |
| AC2 | R Butler | 23 Jan 1940 | Posted to HQ Balloon Command |
| AC2 | Tonks | 23 Jan 1940 | Posted to HQ Balloon Command |
| AC2 | W Whitfield | 23 Jan 1940 | Posted to HQ Balloon Command |
| Sgt | C Holloway | 23 Jan 1940 | WEM, promoted to Temp Flt Sgt |
| Plt Off | J M V Carpenter | 25 Jan 1940 | Arrived on posting from No 11 Group Pool, RAF St Athan |
| Plt Off | M A Bentley | 25 Jan 1940 | Arrived on posting from No 11 Group Pool, RAF St Athan |
| Plt Off | S R McNamara | 31 Jan 1940 | Admitted to RAF Hospital, Locking for an operation on his hand |
| Plt Off | W P Richards | 5 Feb 1940 | Arrived on posting from No 11 Group Pool, RAF St Athan |
| Fg Off | D H Fowler | 2 Mar 1940 | Arrived on posting for duty as Medical Officer, wef 1 Mar 1940 |
| Plt Off | J Beaton | 4 Mar 1940 | Arrived on posting for duty as Equipment Officer |
| Fg Off | R Rose | 5 Mar 1940 | Arrived on posting from No 2 CFF for duty as Codes and Cypher Officer |
| Fg Off | S M Brown | 5 Mar 1940 | Arrived on posting from No 2 CFF for duty as Codes and Cypher Officer |
| Plt Off | J Beaton | 9 Mar 1940 | Equipment Officer, posted to RAF Halton |
| Plt Off | N J Fagan | 9 Mar 1940 | Arrived on posting for duty as Equipment Officer |
| Plt Off | J A Dixon | 18 Mar 1940 | Posted to No 1 AAS, RAF Manby |
| Flt Sgt | P O'Dowd | 20 Mar 1940 | Promoted to Temp WO, wef 18 Mar 1940 |
| Plt Off | G Wilson | 26 Mar 1940 | Posted to No 3 Base Area, RAF Uxbridge |
| Plt Off | W E Hunt | 25 Mar 1940 | Adjutant, posted to No 145 Sqn for duty as Adjutant |
| Plt Off | J F Blick | 25 Mar 1940 | Arrived on posting from No 145 Sqn for duty as Adjutant |
| Plt Off | D E D Milsom | 29 Mar 1940 | Killed in a flying accident |
| Plt Off | P J N Nettleton | 29 Mar 1940 | Killed in a flying accident |
| Fg Off | D H Fowler | 1 Apr 1940 | Medical Officer, posted to SHQ, RAF Filton |
| Plt Off | J Beaton | 6 Apr 1940 | Equipment Officer, posted to 'D' Flight, RAF Old Sarum |
| Sgt Plt | K P Vickery | 7 Apr 1940 | Killed in a flying accident |
| Fg Off | D H Fowler | 12 Apr 1940 | Medical Officer, reposted from SHQ, RAF Filton |
| Fg Off | H E Vickery | 13 Apr 1940 | Arrived on posting from No 3 Sqn, RAF Kenley |
| Plt Off | AC Cochrane | 13 Apr 1940 | Arrived on posting from No 14 SFTS, RAF Kinloss |
| Plt Off | N J Fagan | 17 Apr 1940 | Reposted from RAF Filton for duty as Equipment Officer |
| Fg Off | H A Olivier | 21 Apr 1940 | Arrived on posting |
| Fg Off | E W Cole | 21 Apr 1940 | Arrived on posting from RAF Filton for Intelligence duties |
| Plt Off | A W Britton | 21 Apr 1940 | Arrived on posting |
| Plt Off | G B Parnell | 21 Apr 1940 | Arrived on posting |
| Plt Off | J G Drake | 21 Apr 1940 | Arrived on posting |
| Plt Off | W J Daniel | 22 Apr 1940 | Arrived on posting for duty as Codes and Cypher Officer |
| Fg Off | W Riley | 3 May 1940 | Arrived on posting from No 610 Sqn |
| Plt Off | J L Wilkie | 3 May 1940 | Arrived on posting from No 266 Sqn |
| Plt Off | J R Meaker | 3 May 1940 | Arrived on posting from No 46 Sqn |
| Flt Lt | C B Hull | 9 May 1940 | Arrived on posting from No 43 Sqn |
| Flt Lt | A Williams | 9 May 1940 | Arrived on posting from No 222 Sqn |
| Plt Off | H F Grant-Ede | 9 May 1940 | Arrived on posting from No 111 Sqn |
| Plt Off | J Falkson | 9 May 1940 | Arrived on posting from No 152 Sqn |
| Plt Off | T Oxspring | 9 May 1940 | Arrived on posting from No 66 Sqn |
| Sgt Plt | D W Mason | 9 May 1940 | Arrived on posting from No 141 Sqn |
| Fg Off | F W Yate | 9 May 1940 | Arrived on posting for duty as Codes and Cypher Officer |
| Plt Off | J W McKenzie | 9 May 1940 | Posted to No 111 Sqn |
| Plt Off | R M Hogg | 9 May 1940 | Posted to No 152 Sqn |
| Sgt Plt | D Forrest | 11 May 1940 | Posted to No 66 Sqn, RAF Duxford |
| Plt Off | P Wyatt-Smith | 14 May 1940 | Admitted to Base Hospital as a result of wounds received on board MV Delius |
| Lt | Lydekker RN | 14 May1940 | Attached to replace Plt Off Wyatt-Smith |
| WO | H A James | 17 May 1940 | Killed in an accident |
| Flt Lt | T Rowland | 21 May 1940 | Departed by air to the UK on posting to No 43 Sqn |
| Flt Lt | R S Mills | 21 May 1940 | Injured in a flying accident |
| Plt Off | W P Richards | 21 May 1940 | Killed in a flying accident |
| Plt Off | M A Craig-Adams | 22 May 1940 | Killed in action |
| Flt Lt | C B Hull | 27 May 1940 | Admitted to Bodo Hospital after being wounded in action |
| LAC | S Hurley | 27 May 1940 | Killed in an air raid |
| LAC | R P Jones | 27 May 1940 | Killed in an air raid |
| Plt Off | J L Wilkie | 2 Jun 1940 | Killed in action |
| Sqn Ldr | J W Donaldson | 8 Jun 1940 | Killed in the sinking of HMS Glorious |
| Flt Lt | A Williams | 8 Jun 1940 | Killed in the sinking of HMS Glorious |
| Fg Off | H E Vickery | 8 Jun 1940 | Killed in the sinking of HMS Glorious |
| Plt Off | H F Grant-Ede | 8 Jun 1940 | Killed in the sinking of HMS Glorious |
| Plt Off | L R Jacobsen | 8 Jun 1940 | Killed in the sinking of HMS Glorious |
| Plt Off | P H Purdy | 8 Jun 1940 | Killed in the sinking of HMS Glorious |
| Plt Off | S R McNamara | 8 Jun 1940 | Killed in the sinking of HMS Glorious |
| Plt Off | M A Bentley | 8 Jun 1940 | Killed in the sinking of HMS Glorious |
| Plt Off | J Falkson | 8 Jun 1940 | Killed in the sinking of HMS Glorious |
| Sgt Plt | E E Russell | 8 Jun 1940 | Killed in the sinking of HMS Glorious |
| Fg Off | F W Yate | 11 Jun 1940 | Codes and Cypher Officer, posted to HQ No 15 Group |
| Plt Off | J G Drake | 13 Jun 1940 | Posted to No 607 Sqn |
| Fg Off | W O L Smith | 20 Jun 1940 | Arrived on posting from No 1 RAF Depot |
| Flt Lt | C B Hull | 22 Jun 1940 | Arrived on posting from No 1 RAF Depot |
| Plt Off | E H Aires | 23 Jun 1940 | Arrived on posting from No 5 OTU, RAF Aston Down |
| Plt Off | W A A Read | 23 Jun 1940 | Arrived on posting from No 5 OTU, RAF Aston Down |
| Plt Off | P M Cardell | 23 Jun 1940 | Arrived on posting from No 5 OTU, RAF Aston Down |
| Plt Off | A R Downer | 23 Jun 1940 | Arrived on posting from No 5 OTU, RAF Aston Down |
| Plt Off | P G Thornton Brown | 23 Jun 1940 | Arrived on posting from No 6 OTU, RAF Sutton Bridge |
| Plt Off | R F Ferdinand | 23 Jun 1940 | Arrived on posting from No 6 OTU, RAF Sutton Bridge |
| Plt Off | H N Hunt | 23 Jun 1940 | Arrived on posting from No 6 OTU, RAF Sutton Bridge |
| Plt Off | J R Tobin | 23 Jun 1940 | Arrived on posting from No 6 OTU, RAF Sutton Bridge |
| Plt Off | A O Moffatt | 23 Jun 1940 | Arrived on posting from No 6 OTU, RAF Sutton Bridge |
| Sqn Ldr | Henry Eeles | 24 Jun 1940 | Posted from the Air Ministry to assume command of No 263 Sqn |
| Sqn Ldr | Henry Eeles | 24 Jun 1940 | Attached to No 6 OTU for Hurricane Conversion Course |
| Plt Off | E W Bell | 27 Jun 1940 | Arrived on posting from No 1 School of Army Co-operation |
| Fg Off | T P Pugh | 1 Jul 1940 | Arrived on posting from No 1 RAF Depot |
| Plt Off | G B Parnell | 1 Jul 1940 | Posted to No 607 Sqn |
| Plt Off | E H Aires | 3 Jul 1940 | Posted to No 602 Sqn |
| Plt Off | P M Cardell | 3 Jul 1940 | Posted to No 603 Sqn |
| Plt Off | W A A Read | 3 Jul 1940 | Posted to No 603 Sqn |
| Fg Off | E W Cole | 3 Jul 1940 | Posted to RAF Pembrey for Intelligence duties |
| Plt Off | F H A Hendry | 3 Jul 1940 | Arrived on posting from the Air Ministry for Intelligence duties |
| Fg Off | B R Grant | 6 Jul 1940 | Arrived on posting for duty as Engineer Officer |
| Sqn Ldr | Henry Eeles | 7 Jul 1940 | Arrived from No 6 OTU and assumed command of No 263 Sqn |
| Plt Off | W J Daniel | 8 Jul 1940 | Codes and Cypher Officer, posted to RAF Drem |
| Sgt Plt | L Fenemore | 9 Jul 1940 | Posted to No 219 Sqn |
| Sub-Lt | Bryant | 10 Jul 1940 | Posted to No 219 Sqn |
| Flt Lt | W Riley | 11 Jul 1940 | Posted to No 302 Sqn |
| Plt Off | H N Hunt | 11 Jul 1940 | Posted to No 504 Sqn |
| Sgt Plt | P Watson-Parker | 13 Jul 1940 | Killed in a flying accident |
| Flt Lt | W O L Smith | 15 Jul 1940 | Appointed Officer i/c 'C' Flight |
| Plt Off | A R Downer | 21 Jul 1940 | Died from injuries |
| Plt Off | F H A Hendry | 22 Jul 1940 | Intelligence Officer, posted to RAF Catterick |
| Plt Off | A H Ormerod | 22 Jul 1940 | Arrived on posting from RAF Catterick for duty as Intelligence Officer |
| Plt Off | J R Tobin | 22 Jul 1940 | Posted to the Experimental Section, RAE |
| Plt Off | A O Moffatt | 22 Jul 1940 | Posted to the Experimental Section, RAE |
| Plt Off | E W Bell | 23 Jul 1940 | Killed in a flying accident |
| Plt Off | D M Vine | 1 Aug 1940 | Arrived on posting |
| Plt Off | D Stein | 1 Aug 1940 | Arrived on posting |
| Sgt Plt | C P Rudland | 1 Aug 1940 | Arrived on posting |
| Sqn Ldr | J G Munro | 8 Aug 1940 | Arrived on posting from the Air Ministry as supernumerary |
| Flt Lt | R S Mills | 18 Aug 1940 | Posted to No 87 Sqn to command |
| Plt Off | D A C Crooks | 20 Aug 1940 | Arrived on posting from No 226 Sqn |
| Flt Lt | C B Hull | 30 Aug 1940 | Posted to No 43 Sqn to command |
| Plt Off | I F McDermott | 8 Sep 1940 | Posted to CFS, RAF Upavon for Instructors' Course |
| Fg Off | T P Pugh | 16 Sep 1940 | Promoted to Flt Lt |
| Plt Off | K A G Graham | 14 Oct 1940 | Arrived on posting from No 600 Sqn |
| Fg Off | A W N Britton | 12 Dec 1940 | Killed in a flying accident |
| Plt Off | P Wyatt-Smith | 15 Dec 1940 | Departed on posting overseas |
| Plt Off | J F Blick | 15 Dec 1940 | Adjutant, posted to RAF Grangemouth |
| Sqn Ldr | Henry Eeles | 16 Dec 1940 | Relinquished command of No 263 Sqn on posting to RAF Drem to command |
| Sqn Ldr | J G Munro | 16 Dec 1940 | Assumed command of No 263 Sqn |
| Plt Off | L R Hiscock | 17 Dec 1940 | Arrived on posting from No 55 OTU for duty as Adjutant |
| Fg Off | H A Olivier | 22 Dec 1940 | Proceeded on leave pending posting overseas |
| Flt Lt | W O L Smith | 29 Dec 1940 | Killed in a flying accident |
| Plt Off | D M Vine | 29 Dec 1940 | Killed in a flying accident |
Source - No 263 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/1547)
Organisational Movements: Jan - Dec 1940
| Date | Notes |
| 9 Mar 1940 | Reconnaissance party departed RAF Filton for Port 'O' (Leith) |
| 20 Apr 1940 | Air party departed RAF Filton for RAF Prestwick via RAF Sealand |
| 21 Apr 1940 | Air party embarked on HMS Glorious |
| 21 Apr 1940 | MT party departed RAF Filton for Leith |
| 24 Apr 1940 | Air party took off from HMS Glorious for Lake Lesjeskog |
| 25 Apr 1940 | Air party moved from Lake Lesjeskog to Aandalsnes |
| 25 Apr 1940 | Main party departed RAF Filton for Edinburgh by rail |
| 26 Apr 1940 | Main party arrived at Leith and embarked on the SS Ulster Monarch |
| 28 Apr 1940 | Air party, less aircraft, embarked on MV Delius |
| 28 Apr 1940 | Personnel disembarked from SS Ulster Monarch at Scapa Flow |
| 29 Apr 1940 | MV Delius set sail for Scapa Flow |
| 29 Apr 1940 | Personnel embarked at Scapa Flow on SS Orion |
| 1 May 1940 | SS Orion set sail for an undisclosed destination |
| 1 May 1940 | Air party arrived at Scapa Flow on MV Delius, proceeded to Thurso and entrained for London |
| 2 May 1940 | SS Orion anchored in Firth of Forth |
| 2 May 1940 | Air party arrived in London |
| 3 May 1940 | Main party disembarked SS Orion and proceeded to RAF Turnhouse |
| 3 May 1940 | Air party attached to RAF Northolt |
| 3 May 1940 | 12 x new Gladiators were received at RAF Turnhouse for re-equipment |
| 7 May 1940 | Advance party departed RAF Turnhouse for Leith and embarked on SS Chrobry and set sail |
| 11 May 1940 | Advance party disembarked from SS Chrobry at Harstadt and conveyed to Sjoveien |
| 12 May 1940 | Main party departed RAF Turnhouse for Glasgow embarked on SS Sobiesti and set sail for Norway |
| 12 May 1940 | Air party embarked on HMS Furious at Greenock |
| 14 May 1940 | HMS Furious set sail |
| 18 May 1940 | Main party disembarked from SS Sobiesti at Harstadt and conveyed to Sorreisa and then to Skole |
| 20 May 1940 | Advance and Main parties moved to Bardufoss |
| 21 May 1940 | Rear party embarked at Glasgow on SS Monarch of Bermuda |
| 21 May 1940 | Air party flew off HMS Furious for Bardufoss |
| 22 May 1940 | Rear party set sail on SS Monarch of Bermuda but anchored off Gourock |
| 26 May 1940 | Rear party disembarked from SS Monarch of Bermuda at Gourock and returned to RAF Turnhouse |
| 6 Jun 1940 | 1st Ground party departed Norway for the UK |
| 7 Jun 1940 | 2nd Ground party departed Norway for the UK |
| 7 Jun 1940 | Air party departed Norway for the UK on board HMS Glorious |
| 8 Jun 1940 | HMS Glorious was sunk by German battlecruisers |
| 9 Jun 1940 | 3rd Ground party departed Norway for the UK |
| 12 Jun 1940 | Ground party (part) arrived at RAF Drem |
| 13 Jun 1940 | Ground party (part) arrived at RAF Drem |
| 28 Jun 1940 | Squadron moved from RAF Drem to RAF Grangemouth |
| xx Jun 1940 | Squadron received Hawker Hurricanes, pending re-equipment with Westland Whirlwinds |
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| 6 Jul 1940 | First Westland Whirlwind (prototype) was delivered by Sqn Ldr H Eeles |
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| 15 Jul 1940 | 'C' Flight was formed to develop the use of Whirlwinds |
| 19 Jul 1940 | 2 x Whirlwinds delivered from the manufacturers at Yeovil |
| xx Aug 1940 | 'C' Flight was disbanded, with 'A' Flight taking over the Whirlwinds and 'B' Flight continued to operate Hurricanes |
| 2 Sep 1940 | Squadron moved from RAF Grangemouth to RAF Drem |
| 2 Sep 1940 | 2 x Whirlwinds were delivered |
| 8 Oct 1940 | 1 x Whirlwind was delivered |
| 22 Oct 1940 | 1 x Whirlwind was delivered |
| xx Oct 1940 | Prototype Whirlwind was returned to the manufacturers |
| 8 Nov 1940 | 'B' Flight detached to MacMerry |
| 8 Nov 1940 | 2 x Whirlwinds were delivered |
| 11 Nov 1940 | 1 x Whirlwind was delivered |
| 12 Nov 1940 | 'B' Flight detached to RAF Prestwick |
| 28 Nov 1940 | 10 x Whirlwinds departed RAF Drem for RAF Exeter |
| 7 Dec 1940 | 'A' Flight became operational at RAF Exeter |
Source - No 263 Sqn ORB (AIR 27/1547)
This page was last updated on 17/10/23