| No. XLI Squadron RAF | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Active |
|
| Country |  United Kingdom |
| Branch |  Royal Air Force |
| Type | Flying squadron |
| Role | Test and evaluation |
| Part of | |
| Station | RAF Coningsby |
| Mottos | Seek and destroy |
| Aircraft | Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4 |
| Website | Official website |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders |
|
| Insignia | |
| Tail badge |  |
| Post 1950 roundel |  |
| Tail codes | PN (Jan 1939–Sep 1939) E (Sep 1939 – Feb 1951) FA–FZ (Jaguars) EB-A–EB-Z (2010–present) |
No. 41 Squadron Royal Air Force is aflying squadron of theRoyal Air Force (RAF), currently operating as theTest and Evaluation Squadron (TES) for the RAF's Typhoon, presently based atRAF Coningsby in the Englishcounty ofLincolnshire in the United Kingdom. Its current official abbreviated title is41 TES. The squadron was originally formed in April 1916; 109 years ago (1916-04), duringFirst World War as part of theRoyal Flying Corps (RFC), and served on theWestern Front as a ground attack and fighter squadron. Disbanded in 1919 as part of the post-war draw down, No. 41 Squadron was re-formed as an RAF squadron in 1923, and remained on home service until 1935, when it was deployed toAden during theAbyssinian crisis.
During theSecond World War, the squadron flewSupermarine Spitfire fighters, and saw actionover Dunkirk and the during theBattle of Britain in the early years of the war. Combat operations were flown from Britain over German-occupied Europe during 1941–1944, before the squadron moved to the continent after theNormandy landings. During 1944–1945, the squadron supported the Allied advance into Germany, and it remained there until mid-1946 as part of the occupation force following the end of hostilities. In the post-war years, the squadron was disbanded and re-formed several times, operating a variety of jet aircraft in the fighter, reconnaissance, and interceptor roles. In 2006, the squadron was re-roled as the Fast Jet & Weapons Operational Evaluation Unit. It remained in this role until 2010, when it became the Test and Evaluation Squadron of the Royal Air Force.
No. 41 SquadronRoyal Flying Corps (RFC) was formed atFort Rowner,Gosport, in mid April 1916, with a nucleus of men fromNo. 28 Squadron RFC. However, on 22 May 1916, the squadron was disbanded again when it was re-numbered 'No. 27 Reserve Squadron RFC'.[1]
No. 41 Squadron was re-formed on 14 July 1916[2] with a nucleus of men from No. 27 Reserve Squadron, and equipped with theVickers F.B.5 Gun Bus andAirco D.H.2 Scout. These were replaced in early September 1916 with theRoyal Aircraft Factory F.E.8, and it was these aircraft which the squadron took on their deployment toFrance on 15 October 1916. Eighteen aircraft departed Gosport for the 225 miles (362 kilometres) flight toSaint-Omer, but only twelve actually made it, the others landing elsewhere with technical problems. The twelve pilots spent a week at Saint-Omer before moving toAbeele, where the ground crews reached them by road, and the remaining six pilots by rail, minus their aircraft.[3]
The F.E.8 was already obsolete as a purefighter, and the squadron used theirs mainly forground attack. On 24 January 1917, the squadron claimed its first victories. These fell toSergeant Pilot Cecil Tooms, who himself was killed in action only four hours later.[1] While equipped with the F.E.8, the squadron participated in theBattle of Arras (April–May 1917) and theBattle of Messines (June 1917). By this time, the unit had become the last 'pusher' fighter squadron in the RFC. In July 1917, the squadron was re-equipped with theAirco DH.5 fighter, which proved disappointing; in October 1917, the squadron finally received theRoyal Aircraft Factory S.E.5a fighter, with which they were equipped for the duration of the war.[3]
The squadron provided distinguished service in theBattle of Cambrai (November 1917), and subsequently in theGerman spring offensive (March 1918), and theBattle of Amiens (August 1918). The squadron claimed its final victory of the war two days prior to the cessation of hostilities.[1] In the aftermath, the unit was reduced to acadre of just sixteen men on 7 February 1919, and returned to the United Kingdom. Their new base wasRAF Tangmere, West Sussex, but they were moved toRAF Croydon, Surrey, in early October, and formally disbanded on 31 December 1919.[1]
The squadron's pilots and ground crews were awarded fourDistinguished Service Orders, sixMilitary Crosses, nineDistinguished Flying Crosses, twoMilitary Medals, and fourMentions in Dispatches. The pilots were credited with destroying 111 aircraft and 14 balloons, sending down 112 aircraft out of control, and driving down 25 aircraft and five balloons. Thirty-nine men were killed or died on active service, 48 were wounded or injured, and 20 pilots becameprisoners of war, including AustralianCaptain Norman Bruce Hair.[4]
No. 41 Squadron reformed atRAF Northolt, Greater London, on 1 April 1923, equipped with theSopwith Snipe. In 1924, it began receiving the firstArmstrong Whitworth Siskin III biplanes.[5] On 27 July 1929, eleven aircraft from the squadron flew toCalais to rendezvous with French aviation pioneerLouis Blériot and escort him back toDover, in a re-enactment of the first crossing of theEnglish Channel twenty years earlier.[6] On 9 October 1930, following theR101 airship disaster inBeauvais, France, No. 41 Squadron pilots and ground crew formed a part of theGuard of Honour for theLying-in-State of the forty-eight victims in thePalace of Westminster. Amongst the dead were the Secretary of State for Air,Brigadier General Lord Christopher Thomson, and the Director of Civil Aviation,Air Vice-Marshal SirSefton Brancker. Thousands filed past to pay their last respects.[7]
During the 1930s, displays, sports, competitions, tactical exercises, and flying practice were a part of regular activity. In the summer of 1934, the squadron even performed a flying display for South Bucks Mothers' Union.[5] On 1 July 1935, the squadron escorted anImperial Airways aircraft toBrussels, with the Duke and Duchess of York on board, where they attend functions for British Week at theInternational Exhibition.[8] During this period, No. 41 Squadron was also visited by a number of British and foreign government and military dignitaries. One of the first was Japanese GeneralMatsui Iwane who, after theSecond World War, was held accountable and executed for the 1937 'Rape of Nanjing', in which his armies murdered an estimated 300,000 Chinese civilians. British dignitaries included Prime Minister,Ramsay MacDonald; the Chief of Air Services,Marshal of the RAFHugh Trenchard; the Air Officer Commanding in Chief Air Defence of Great Britain, Air MarshalSir Edward Ellington; and the Air Officer Commanding Fighting Area, Air Defence of Great Britain, Air Vice-MarshalHugh Dowding.[5]
In October 1935, the squadron was sent to theAden Province withNo. 12 Squadron andNo. 203 Squadron, to help provide a deterrent to Italy in the region during theAbyssinian crisis of 1935–36, and to protect Aden in case of an airborne or seaborne attack by Italian forces. Although No. 41 Squadron visitedBritish Somaliland once, which borderedAbyssinia, the unit was otherwise not involved in the crisis, and spent much of their time in flying training and periodic mail runs toPerim Island andKamaran Island.[5] On occasion, they assisted the resident unit,No. 8 Squadron, with air policing duties, and returned to the United Kingdom in August 1936.[9] They were then based atRAF Catterick,Yorkshire, from September 1936,[10] where they remained until May 1940.[5]
On 30 December 1938, No. 41 Squadron was issued with theSupermarine Spitfire, becoming the third RAF squadron to receive them. By early February 1939, the squadron had received a full complement of twenty Mk.I Spitfires, at the cost of £129,130.[11]
Around 200 pilots served with No. 41 Squadron between 1 April 1923 and 2 September 1939. During this period, nobattle honours were granted, nor any decorations awarded, but the era produced tenAir Commodores, nineAir Vice-Marshals, twoAir Marshals, and twoAir Chief Marshals. During these same years, eleven men were killed and three injured in flying accidents, and three injured in aircrew accidents on the ground.[12]
Following the declaration of war on 3 September 1939, No. 41 Squadron spent the first several months on monotonous routine patrols in the north of England. At the end of May 1940, the squadron flew south toRAF Hornchurch in Essex to participate in theevacuation of Dunkirk. Twelve days later, they returned to RAF Catterick, claiming six Axis aircraft destroyed and one probable, but also left behind two pilots, the squadron's first pilotkilled in action, and their first lost as a prisoner of war.[5][13] After resting for a few weeks, the squadron headed south again on 26 July 1940, to participate in the first phase of theBattle of Britain. In its two-week tour, the squadron claimed ten Axis aircraft destroyed, four probables and three damaged, for the loss of one pilot killed and a second wounded.[5]
Again, No. 41 Squadron returned north to Catterick for a few weeks rest, but returned to Hornchurch on 3 September 1940, where they remained until the end of February 1941. They were now in the thick of the Battle of Britain. The price was high, but so was the damage they inflicted on theLuftwaffe. On 5 September, the squadron experienced one of its blackest days. Thecommanding officer and officer commanding B Flight, were killed in action, and three other pilots were shot down and two were wounded in action; one of these was hospitalised for six months.[5]
On 31 October 1940, the Battle of Britain was considered officially over. Forty-nine pilots flew with the squadron between 10 July and 31 October 1940. Of these, forty-two were British, two Canadian, two Irish, and two New Zealanders. Ten were killed and twelve wounded in action (44% casualties). The squadron claimed over a hundred victories from July 1940 to the end of that year.[14]
On 23 February 1941, the squadron returned to Catterick for a well-earned break. Only four pilots remained from the original eighteen who landed in Hornchurch on 3 September 1940. However, in reality it is much worse: sixteen pilots had been killed, five wounded and hospitalised (who did not return) and fifteen otherwise posted away, in effect a 200% turnover since the unit's deployment to Hornchurch in early September. The squadron also now has its third commanding officer since then, and its fourth within ten months.[15]
Following five months rest in Catterick, during which the last Battle of Britain hardened pilots departed and new recruits joined from theBritish Commonwealth Air Training Programme, the squadron headed south toRAF Merston,Sussex, on 28 July 1941, to join the Tangmere Wing, where thewing leader wasDouglas Bader. There followed an intensive period of offensive activity over France.[16]
On 12 February 1942, No. 41 Squadron took part in the attack on the GermanKriegsmarine'sPrinz Eugen,Scharnhorst, andGneisenau after they escaped fromBrest and made a dash up the Channel to the safety of their home ports. During these actions, No. 41 Squadron claimed three German aircraft destroyed and one damaged, but lost one pilot who failed to return.[17]
The squadron also supported the ill-fated Canadian landings atDieppe (Operation Jubilee) on 19 August 1942, completing three squadron-strength missions over the beaches. The pilots returned from the third without the Officer Commanding, Sqn Ldr Geoffrey Hyde, who was hit by flak and killed; he was the squadron's only casualty that day.[18]
Tired, after a busy summer on the south coast fending offMesserschmitt Bf 109s andFocke-Wulf Fw 190s fulfilling the Luftwaffe's 'hit and run' strategy, the squadron was taken off operations until February 1943 and sent toRAF Llanbedr,Wales, for an extended period of rest. This heralded the start of an intensive period of turnover in the unit's ranks, as men were rested and fresh pilots brought in.[19]
In February 1943, the unit became the first of only two squadrons to receive the newGriffon-engine Spitfire Mk.XII. Having rested, re-equipped and trained on the new aircraft, the squadron was sent back onto operations in April 1943, and claimed their first definitive victory in over ten months on 17 April. This was also the first by the RAF in the Mk.XII Spitfire.[20]
From late June 1943, large scalebomber escorts to targets in France, Belgium, and the Netherlands, became a daily event, and Ramrod escorts to formations of between 50 and 150Boeing Flying Fortresses andMartin B-26 Marauders became routine.[21]
No. 41 Squadron provided air support in the lead-up to, and throughout theD-Day landings. On D-Day itself, 6 June 1944, three pilots were hit byflak over the bridgehead and one was killed. On 19 June, however, the squadron was pulled off air-support for the bridgehead in France, and was deployed solely in the destruction of Germany's newest weapon, theV-1 flying bomb.[22] On 28 August 1944, the squadron claimed its last of fifty-threeV-1s destroyed during the war. Several pilots succeeded in bringing them down after expending all their ammunition, by flying alongside them and placing their own wingtips underneath that of the V-1. The wind movement between both wingtips was sufficient to upset the V-1'sgyroscope and send crashing it to the ground.[23]
The squadron was re-equipped with the Spitfire Mk.XIV in September 1944, and during the ensuing three months, participated in 'Big Ben' operations againstV-2 rocket launch sites, inOperation Market Garden atArnhem andNijmegen, in operations in theWalcheren campaign, and in theAllied Oil Campaign overGermany.[24]
The squadron moved to the continent in early December 1944, making its base atDiest in Belgium. Ground targets were the squadron's chief prey as a member ofNo. 125 Expeditionary Wing, and the unit attacked anything moving on road, rail, or canal in Germany. Operating so close to the ground, flak also took its toll on pilots and aircraft. One pilot was killed, three wounded, and two shot down and taken prisoner.[24]
In April 1945, the squadron moved forward with the advancing front, and made its first base in Germany, just south-west of the town ofCelle, 140 miles (230 km) due west ofBerlin, and only a short distance south-east of theBergen-Belsen concentration camp. During April and early May 1945, German resistance crumbled. No. 41 Squadron claimed thirty-three enemy aircraft destroyed, two probably destroyed, and three damaged in the air, and twenty-one damaged on the ground, in the twenty-three days preceding 3 May 1945 (the date of the squadron's final claim). Their own casualties for the same period were no pilots killed or wounded in action, and no aircraft lost to enemy action, although some did sustain combat damage.[25]
After the cessation of hostilities, the squadron was based a short time atKastrup in the suburbs of Copenhagen, but returned to Germany, where it became a part of the Allied occupying forces, known asBritish Air Forces of Occupation. By the end of the war, No. 41 Squadron had claimed two-hundred aircraft destroyed, sixty-one probably destroyed, 109 damaged, and fifty-three V-1s destroyed. On 31 March 1946, still based on the continent, No. 41 Squadron was disbanded by re-numbering toNo. 26 Squadron.[26]
The squadron had two mascots during the war: 'Wimpy', aBull Terrier with the tip of one ear missing, at RAF Catterick in 1939–40, and 'Perkin', a large blackFrench Poodle, in 1943–44.[27] The squadron's 325 Second World War pilots were men from Britain, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czechoslovakia, France, the Republic of Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Palestine, Poland, White Russia, Rhodesia, South Africa, Trinidad, Uruguay, the United States, and Zululand.[28]
No. 41 Squadron's pilots were awarded three Distinguished Service Orders, twenty-one Distinguished Flying Crosses, oneDefence Medal, and oneMention in Dispatches, for their service during the Second World War with the unit. Sixty four were killed in action or died on active service, fifty-eight were wounded in action or injured in accidents, three were shot down but evaded capture and returned to the United Kingdom, and twenty-one pilots were shot down and became prisoners of war. The average age of a man who died in service with the squadron during the war was aged 23½.[29]
On 1 April 1946, only a day after being disbanded in Germany, No. 41 Squadron was re-formed atRAF Dalcross inScotland as a fighter squadron, by re-numbering fromNo. 122 Squadron, and reverted to theSupermarine Spitfire, this time the Mk. F.21 variant.[26]
The squadron flew its Spitfires for the last time on 18 August 1947, and became No. 41 Instrument Flying Rating Squadron, equipped with theAirspeed Oxford andNorth American Harvard. However, in June the following year, the squadron reverted to fighter defence and was re-equipped with thede Havilland Hornet F.1, followed later by the F.3 variant.[2]
No. 41 Squadron became a day fighter unit again in January 1951 and entered thejet age, receiving its first jet-powered aircraft, theGloster Meteor F.4 In April 1951 these were replaced by theGloster Meteor F.8, and four years later the squadron received theHawker Hunter F.5.[2] On 14 July 1957, the squadron was presented with astandard displaying the unit'sbattle honours by the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal SirTheodore McEvoy, who had served three years with No. 41 Squadron as a young officer,[30] following his graduation fromRAF College, Cranwell in 1925.[31]
However, no amount of nostalgia would save the unit from the government's budgetary axe. On 31 January 1958, as a part of a scheme to reduce the size ofRAF Fighter Command, No. 41 Squadron fell to the same fate asNo. 600 Squadron andNo. 615 Squadron had before it, and was also disbanded. With the departure of No. 41 Squadron, its home station ofRAF Biggin Hill ceased to be a Fighter Command airfield, its infrastructure deemed out-of-date for the requirements of modern warfare. The runways had become too short for the RAF's newest generation of aircraft and, as a result of encroaching development and civil air paths which now passed above, the base was no longer in a practical location. Fighter Command officially departed from the airfield on 1 March 1958.[32] This gave No. 41 Squadron the curious distinction of being the last fighter squadron ever to be based at Biggin Hill. The departure of the unit marked the end of an era for the station, as thereafter it was relegated to non-operational status, and only used by theLondon University Air Squadron.[32]
On 1 February 1958, just a day after being disbanded,No, 141 Squadron, based atRAF Coltishall, Norfolk, dropped the '1' at the beginning of its number and was thus reborn as No. 41 Squadron. In doing so, they automatically absorbed No. 141 Squadron's all-weatherGloster Javelin FAW.4 fighters and personnel.[33]
No. 41 Squadron's standard, originally presented only six months previously, was handed over to No. 141 Squadron on 16 January 1958, just ahead of their renumbering, in a short ceremony attended by Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Fighter Command, Air Chief Marshal SirThomas Pike, and byNo. 11 Group's Air Officer Commanding, Air Vice-Marshal Victor Bowling, himself a veteran No. 41 Squadron pilot from 1935.[34]
Only remaining at Coltishall six months, the squadron moved toRAF Wattisham, Suffolk, on 5 July 1958, where theGloster Javelins were replaced by FAW.8 variants in January 1960. By this time,No. 56 Squadron had also relocated to Wattisham. Whilst there, they hostedFrench Air ForceDassault Super Mystère fighters during French PresidentCharles de Gaulle's state visit in April 1960. No. 41 Squadron remained at Wattisham for approximately five-and-a-half years, before the unit was disbanded again, on 31 December 1963.[2]
On 1 September 1965, after a twenty-month break, No. 41 Squadron was re-formed atRAF West Raynham, Norfolk, but this time as a completely different structure. The unit remained firmly on the ground as a missile defence squadron, armed withBloodhound Mk.II surface-to-air-missile (SAM).[35] Changes to the SAM programme, however, saw No. 41 Squadron disbanded yet again just five years later, on 18 September 1970.[2] The squadron standard was moved to the Church of St. Michael and St. George at RAF West Raynham, for safe-keeping.[2]
On 1 April 1972, atRAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire, the squadron was reborn as a tactical fighter reconnaissance and ground attack unit withinNo. 38 Group Air Support Command. To support them in theirreconnaissance role, a 'Reconnaissance Intelligence Centre' or 'RIC' was formed. The RIC is composed of a number of Air Transportable Reconnaissance Exploitation Laboratories (ATREL), which enable the rapid developing of photographic images and their subsequent analysis. The ATRELs can be transported by air or road, and can be deployed with the squadron to forward operating bases.[2]
In this role, they were equipped with theMcDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom FGR.2, but these were soon deemed to be unsuitable for the unit. Over the ensuing years, a strategic decision was made to change the role of the RAF's Phantoms from a fighter to an interceptor. This amendment, however, created consternation within some circles, as it was felt the squadron should maintain its role as a fighter and ground attack unit. Consequently, it was resolved to disband No. 41 Squadron and re-form it elsewhere to enable it to do so.[2]
In preparation for this change, 'No. 41 Designate Squadron' was formed at RAF Coltishall, on 1 July 1976, and commenced training as a reconnaissance unit withSEPECAT Jaguar GR1 aircraft. The two squadrons operated independently of one another until 31 March 1977, when No. 41 Squadron was disbanded at Coningsby. This allowed the Coltishall-based No. 41 Designate Squadron to drop 'Designate' from their name, take possession of the standard, adopt the squadron badge, and become the new combat-ready No. 41 Squadron at RAF Coltishall a day later.[2]
No. 41 Squadron's role changed to low-level reconnaissance and, in early 1978, it became part of NATOSupreme Allied Commander Europe Strategic Reserve. In 1980, the unit was assigned to theAllied Command Europe Mobile Force, and was subsequently involved in exercises atBardufoss in Norway andDecimomannu inSardinia.[36]
_SEPECAT_Jaguar_GR1_of_No._41_Squadron_from_RAF_Coltishall_at_RAF_Fairford%2c_UK_-_Air_Force_AN1050798.jpg)
In support of its reconnaissance role, the unit formed a RIC at Coltishall to process and interpret the photographs made by pilots, using sensors located in a large external pod. The photographic film was taken to the MAREL's (Mobile Aerial Reconnaissance Exploitation Laboratories) for processing and interpretation. Ideally, a mission report would have been generated within 45 minutes of 'engines off'. Smaller 'air-portable' RICs were also used during off-base deployments.[37] As a result of this ability, the squadron has been involved in a number of conflicts over two decades during the 1990s and 2000s. In early 1991, during theGulf War (Operation Granby) the squadron'sJaguar GR1 and GR1A aircraft flew a large number of reconnaissance and bombing missions against Iraqi forces as a part of the coalition forces.[2]
In its aftermath, the squadron was deployed toIncirlik Air Base, in south-west Turkey, where it participated in the defence of Iraq's Kurdish minority within the boundaries of the country's northern no-fly zone (Operations 'Warden' and 'Resinate North') until April 1993. It was during this period that the large external photographic pods were replaced with smaller, more versatile, medium level pods.[33]
Four months later, the squadron was deployed to southern Italy, where it flew policing duties over Bosnia in support ofOperation Deny Flight until August 1995. It was during this time that one of the squadron's Jaguars became the first RAF aircraft to drop a bomb in anger over Europe since the end of the Second World War. The target was a Bosnian-Serb tank.[2]
The squadron returned to Coltishall in August 1995. Despite the vital work they had performed in Iraq and Bosnia, the squadron found their photographic systems were inhibited by the use ofphotographic film, which required special handling and processing before any results could be viewed and analysed. This drawback was compounded by the inherent difficulties of moving hardcopy prints around the battlefield, particularly with the distances involved in modern warfare. To overcome these issues, the Jaguar Replacement Reconnaissance Pod (JRRP) was introduced in August 2000.[38] The new system provided for the recording of adigital images by three cameras ontoVHS-C super videotapes withelectro optical sensors for day operations andinfra-red sensors for night operations. Digital images were then analysed in the ATRELs through aWindows-based application, named 'Ground Imagery Exploitation System' (GIES). The GIES allowed image analysts to edit images and send them electronically.[39]
This system was taken into battle on the Squadron's last operational deployment, during theIraq War (Operation Telic) between March and April 2003. During the operation, they were based at Incirlik, once again, equipped with the more up-to-dateJaguar GR3.[36]
In July 2004, the Defence Secretary announced that as a part of a re-organisation of the Defence Forces following a Government spending review, No. 41 Squadron would disband once again, on 31 March 2006. Thedefence white paper,Delivering Security in a Changing World: Future Capabilities, foresaw the retirement of the RAF's Jaguar aircraft two years early and the closure of RAF Coltishall. Advances in technology, it reasoned, would meanair defence could be maintained with fewer aircraft, thus allowing older equipment to be withdrawn from service earlier than originally intended. The authors planned that the RAF's future air combat force would be based around the multi-roleEurofighter Typhoon andJoint Combat Aircraft, in co-operation with thePanavia Tornado GR4 andBritish Aerospace Harrier GR7/GR9. Furthermore, the paper intended to reduce RAF trained manned strength from 48,500 to 41,000 by 1 April 2008.[40]
As a result of these decisions, all of RAF Coltishall's squadrons would be directly affected.No. 16 (R) Squadron (the Jaguaroperational conversion unit) andNo. 54 (F) Squadron, would be disbanded by 1 April 2005 and their aircraft disposed of, and No. 41 Squadron by 1 April 2006.No. 6 Squadron, with the last of the RAF's Jaguars, would be moved to RAF Coningsby on 1 April 2006, itself disbanded by 31 October 2007.RAF Coltishall itself would be finally closed in December 2006, thus ending an over 66 year history.[41]
The first of these draw-downs took place on 11 March 2005, when No. 16 Squadron and No. 54 Squadron held a combined passing-out parade. However, their disbandment had little immediate effect on the activity at Coltishall, as most Jaguar airframes and personnel were absorbed into No. 6 Squadron and No. 41 Squadron. However, with the departure of these latter squadrons in 2006, and the subsequent closure of the station in December, the close-knit RAF community was dispersed to other locations, and a quiet returned to the area, which has not existed since May 1940.[42]
The following senior leaders of the RAF all served with No. 41 Squadron at some time in their career during the Jaguar period:Sir Stephen Dalton,Sir Richard Garwood,Sir Chris Harper,Sir Jock Stirrup,Sir Charles John Thomson, andSir Glenn Torpy.[43]
However, despite the Government's intention to disband No. 41 Squadron, and plans drawn up for final ceremonies to take place on the first weekend in April 2006, the unit was given a new lease on life only a short while before taking effect. Approval was received to move No. 41 Squadron to Coningsby with No. 6 Squadron on 1 April 2006, and to assume the role of the Fast Jet and Weapons Operational Evaluation Unit.[2]
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The Fast Jet and Weapons Operational Evaluation Unit (FJWOEU) was formed was created on 1 April 2004 from the merger of theStrike Attack Operational Evaluation Unit; thePanavia Tornado F3 Operational Evaluation Unit; and the Air Guided Weapons Operational Evaluation Unit. The FJWOEU took over No. 41 Squadron's number plate on 1 April 2006, rescuing No. 41 Squadron from disbandment that would have otherwise resulted from the retirement of the RAF's Jaguar fleet.[2] The squadron's fleet consisted ofPanavia Tornado GR4, Panavia Tornado F3 andBAe Harrier GR9. In 2006 the squadron also celebrated its 90th anniversary. It remained in the role of FJWOEU until 2010, during that time testing numerous weapons and defence systems that were subsequently deployed by British forces on the front line, including Afghanistan.[44]
On 1 April 2010, the Fast Jet Test Squadron (FJTS), then based atMOD Boscombe Down in Wiltshire, was amalgamated into No. 41 (Reserve) Squadron to create a new entity, No. 41 Squadron Test and Evaluation Squadron, in which form it continues today.[44]
In September 2010, the squadron celebrated the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, holding an event at RAF Coningsby attended by families ofpilots of the Second World War era.[45] The squadron applied war-era 'EB' codes to the tail fins of its current aircraft, recognising various war-time pilots and their aircraft. Originally, some of these codes were applied to the squadron's Harriers, but when these were retired, the codes were then applied to the squadron's Tornados, and subsequently Typhoons, that replaced them. They commemorated the following Second World War aircraft:[46]
| Current aircraft | Code | Historic aircraft | Date | Original pilot ‡ | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Reg. | Type | Reg. | |||
| Typhoon FGR4 | ZJ947 | EB-L | Spitfire Ia | K9805 | August 1940 | Wing Commander Edward A. Shipman |
| Tornado GR4 | ZA447 | EB-R | Spitfire Ia | P9428 | September 1940 | Squadron Leader Hilary R. L. 'Robin' Hood |
| Typhoon FGR4 | ZJ930 | |||||
| Typhoon FGR4 | ZJ914 | EB-G | Spitfire Ia | N3162 | September 1940 | Flight LieutenantEric S. 'Lockie' Lock |
| Typhoon FGR4 | ZJ912 | EB-J | Spitfire Ia | X4559 | September 1940 | Squadron LeaderGeorge H. 'Ben' Bennions |
| Tornado GR4 | ZG775 | EB-Z | Spitfire IIa | P7666 | November 1940 | Group CaptainDonald O. Finlay |
| Tornado GR4 | ZA560 | EB-Q | Spitfire Va | R7304 | August 1941 | Warrant Officer William A. 'Bill' Brew (RAAF) |
| Tornado GR4 | ZA607 | EB-X | ||||
| Typhoon FGR4 | ZK339 | EB-B | Spitfire XII | MB882 | September 1944 | Squadron LeaderrTerence 'Terry' Spencer |
| Typhoon FGR4 | ZJ914 | EB-H | Spitfire XIV | NH915 | May 1945 | Flight Lieutenant Derek Rake |
| Typhoon T3 | ZJ815 | |||||
| Typhoon FGR4 | ZK339 | EB-E | ||||
‡ – rank indicated is final rank achieved upon leaving RAF service
Commencing the draw-down of the RAF's Harrier force as a result of theStrategic Defence and Security Review 2010,[47] No. 41 Squadron's three Harrier GR9 were transferred toNo. 1 (Fighter) Squadron atRAF Cottesmore on 4 November 2010. No. 41 Squadron subsequently increased its fleet of Tornado GR4 to compensate the loss of the Harriers, and only operated the GR4 until April 2013.[48]
On 29 April 2011, two of the squadron's Tornado GR4 flew with two Eurofighter Typhoons from RAF Coningsby in aflypast down overCentral London for theRoyal Wedding ofPrince William andCatherine Middleton. One of the Tornados was flown by the squadron's then Officer Commanding,Wing Commander Rich Davies.[49]In 2012, to mark theLondon 2012 Olympic Games, No. 41 Squadron unveiled special tail markings on Tornado GR4, ZA614, EB-Z, to commemorate the squadron's link with the Olympic Games. Group CaptainDonald O. Finlay, who commanded the squadron from September 1940 to August 1941, had wonbronze in the men's hurdles at the1932 Los Angeles Games, wonsilver in the same event at the1936 Berlin Games, and read theOlympic Oath at the commencement of1948 London Games.[50]
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The first published history book of No. 41 Squadron,Blood, Sweat, and Valour, was launched at theRoyal Air Force Club in London in December 2012, and recounts the unit's wartime activity during the war years August 1942 to May 1945.[51] A second volume, entitledBlood, Sweat and Courage was launched at the RAF Club in December 2014, and covers the preceding war years, September 1939 to July 1942.[52]Another major change took place on 22 April 2013, when No. 41 Squadron took over theEurofighter Typhoon FGR4 of fellow RAF Coningsby basedNo. 17 (R) Test and Evaluation Squadron, which was began preparing for the introduction of theF-35B Lightning into RAF andRoyal Navy service.[53]
No. 41 Squadron's Second World War-era EB codes were carried over onto three of their new Typhoon aircraft. An additional Typhoon aircraft also joined the squadron, prompting the need for an eighth code, and the opportunity to honour another of the squadron's pilots. After having initially been coded EB-G for Flt Lt Eric S. 'Lockie' Lock the honour went to Gp Capt Derek S. V. Rake (1945) and TyphoonZJ914 was coded EB-H.[54]
No. 41 Squadron celebrated its centenary in July 2016, by holding aparade and gala dinner at RAF Coningsby on 14 July, and a Friends and Families Open Day on 22 July. The No. 41 Squadron Association was also formed to coincide with the centenary.[55]
The squadron's Panavia Tornados were phased out in late 2017, and the last flight in this aircraft type took place on Friday 13 October 2017.[56] No. 41 Squadron retains the Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4.[57]
All Second World War era EB codes have now been removed from the squadron's tailfins, but one Tornado has been preserved as a gate guardian atMOD Sealand, marked EB-X, which includes the squadron badge and centenary tail art.[58]
Thesquadron's badge features a red double-armed cross on a white background, originating from the squadron's association withSaint-Omer, France which was its first overseas base in 1916 during the First World War. The cross is part of the town's arms. The badge was approved byKing George VI in February 1937.[59]
The squadron's motto isseek and destroy.[60]
No. 41 Squadron has received the followingbattle honours. Those marked with an asterisk (*) may be emblazoned on thesquadron standard.[61]
.jpg)
| Base | Location | Arrival | Base | Location | Arrival | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Rowner,Gosport[79] | Hampshire | 15 April 1916 | Westhampnett[80] | Sussex | 21 June 1943 | |
| Fort Rowner, Gosport[81] | Hampshire | 14 July 1916 | Tangmere[82] | Sussex | 4 October 1943 | |
| St. Omer | France | 15 October 1916 | Southend[83] | Essex | 7 February 1944 | |
| Abeele | Belgium | 21 October 1916 | Tangmere | Sussex | 20 February 1944 | |
| Hondschoote | France | 24 May 1917 | Friston | Sussex | 11 March 1944 | |
| Abeele | Belgium | 15 June 1917 | Bolt Head | Devon | 29 April 1944 | |
| Léalvillers | France | 3 July 1917 | Fairwood Common[84] | Glamorgan | 16 May 1944 | |
| Marieux | France | 22 March 1918 | Bolt Head | Devon | 24 May 1944 | |
| Fienvillers | France | 27 March 1918 | West Malling | Kent | 19 June 1944 | |
| Alquines | France | 29 March 1918 | Tangmere[85] | Sussex | 26 June 1944 | |
| Savy | France | 9 April 1918 | Westhampnett | Sussex | 27 June 1944 | |
| Serny | France | 11 April 1918 | Friston | Sussex | 2 July 1944 | |
| Estrée Blanche (Liettres) | France | 19 May 1918 | Lympne | Kent | 11 July 1944 | |
| Conteville | France | 1 June 1918 | B.56 Evere[86] | Belgium | 4 December 1944 | |
| St. Omer | France | 14 August 1918 | B.64 Diest/Schaffen | Belgium | 5 December 1944 | |
| Droglandt | France | 20 September 1918 | Y.32 Ophoven[87] | Belgium | 31 December 1944 | |
| Halluin East | France | 23 October 1918 | B.80 Volkel | Netherlands | 27 January 1945 | |
| Tangmere | Sussex | 7 February 1919 | Warmwell[88] | Dorset | 7 Mar 1945 | |
| Croydon | Surrey | 8 October 1919 | B.78 Eindhoven | Netherlands | 18 March 1945 | |
| Northolt | Middlesex | 1 April 1923 | B.106 Twente | Netherlands | 7 April 1945 | |
| Underway to Aden | Yemen | 4 October 1935 | B.118 Celle | Germany | 16 April 1945 | |
| Khormaksar | Yemen | 20 October 1935 | B.160 Kastrup | Denmark | 9 May 1945 | |
| Sheikh Othman | Yemen | 18 March 1936 | B.172 Husum | Germany | 21 June 1945 | |
| Underway to Southampton | Hampshire | 10 August 1936 | B.158 Lübeck | Germany | 11 July 1945 | |
| Catterick | Yorkshire | 25 September 1936 | Warmwell[89] | Dorset | 20 August 1945 | |
| Wick | Caithness | 19 October 1939 | B.158 Lübeck | Germany | 6 September 1945 | |
| Catterick[90] | Yorkshire | 25 October 1939 | B.116 Wunstorf | Germany | 30 January 1946 | |
| Hornchurch | Essex | 28 May 1940 | B.170 Sylt | Germany | 28 February 1946 | |
| Catterick[91] | Yorkshire | 8 June 1940 | B.116 Wunstorf | Germany | 29 March 1946 | |
| Hornchurch[92] | Essex | 26 July 1940 | Dalcross | Scotland | 1 April 1946 | |
| Catterick | Yorkshire | 8 August 1940 | Wittering | Cambridge | 8 April 1946 | |
| Hornchurch[93] | Essex | 3 September 1940 | B.158 Lübeck | Germany | 29 June 1946 | |
| Catterick[94] | Yorkshire | 23 February 1941 | Duxford | Cambridge | 9 September 1946 | |
| Merston | Sussex | 28 July 1941 | Wittering | Cambridge | 30 September 1946 | |
| Westhampnett[95] | Sussex | 16 December 1941 | Acklington | Northumberland | 11 November 1946 | |
| Merston | Sussex | 1 April 1942 | Wittering | Cambridge | 20 December 1946 | |
| Martlesham Heath[96] | Suffolk | 15 June 1942 | Church Fenton | Yorkshire | 17 April 1947 | |
| Hawkinge | Kent | 30 June 1942 | Biggin Hill | Kent | 29 March 1951 | |
| Debden | Essex | 8 July 1942 | Coltishall | Norfolk | 1 February 1958 | |
| Longtown[97] | Cumberland | 4 August 1942 | Wattisham | Suffolk | 5 July 1958 | |
| Llanbedr | Merioneth | 9 August 1942 | West Raynham | Norfolk | 1 September 1965 | |
| Tangmere[98] | Sussex | 16 August 1942 | Coningsby | Lincolnshire | 1 April 1972 | |
| Llanbedr | Merioneth | 20 August 1942 | Coltishall | Norfolk | 1 April 1977 | |
| Eglinton[99] | Londonderry | 22 September 1942 | Thumrait AB4 | Oman | 13 August 1990 | |
| Llanbedr | Merioneth | 30 September 1942 | Seeb AB[100] | Oman | 29 August 1990 | |
| Tangmere[101] | Sussex | 8 October 1942 | Muharraq[102] | Bahrain | 7 October 1990 | |
| Llanbedr[103] | Merioneth | 11 October 1942 | Incirlik[104] | Turkey | September 1991 | |
| High Ercall | Salop | 25 February 1943 | Gioia del Colle[105] | Italy | August 1993 | |
| Hawkinge | Kent | 13 April 1943 | Incirlik[106] | Turkey | September 2002 | |
| Biggin Hill | Kent | 21 May 1943 | Coningsby | Lincolnshire | 1 April 2006 | |
| Friston | Sussex | 28 May 1943 |
| Name | Commenced | Name | Commenced | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joseph Herbert Arthur Landon, DSO, OBE | 20 July 1916 | Anthony Frederick Osborne, DFC | 30 April 1951 | |
| Frederick James Powell, OBE (POW) | 3 August 1917 | John Miller, CBE, DFC, AFC, FCA | July 1951 | |
| Geoffrey Hilton Bowman, DSO, DFC, MC & Bar | 9 February 1918 | Maxwell Scannell OBE, DFC, AFC[107] | June 1953 | |
| Bernard Edward Smythies, DFC | 1 April 1923 | James Castagnola, DSO, DFC & Bar[108] | September 1955 | |
| Raymond Collishaw, CB, DSO & Bar, OBE, DSC, DFC[109] | 1 October 1923 | John William James Leggett, QCVSA | 1 February 1958 | |
| Gilbert Ware Murlis-Green, DSO & Bar, MC & 2 Bars | 15 April 1924 | David Windle Hutchinson-Smith, AFC[110] | October 1959 | |
| Frederick Sowrey, DSO, MC, AFC | 8 February 1926 | John Frederick Pinnington[111] | 24 November 1961 | |
| Robert Stanley Aitken, CB, CBE, MC, AFC[112] | 1 September 1928 | William Kent AFC[113] | 25 September 1965 | |
| Patrick Huskinson, CBE, MC & Bar[114] | 6 February 1930 | Henry Ellis Angell DFC[115] | 6 December 1965 | |
| Stanley Flamank Vincent, CB, DFC, AFC[116] | 24 October 1931 | George Henry Dodd | August 1968 | |
| John Auguste Boret, CBE, MC, AFC[117] | 1 May 1933 | Brian James Lemon MBE, AFC[118] | 1 April 1972 | |
| John Simon Leslie Adams | 4 March 1937 | Peter David Leonard Gover MBE, AFC, BSc | March 1974 | |
| Geoffrey Augustus Graydon Johnston, CBE | 28 August 1939 | Sir Charles John Thomson, GCB CBE, AFC | October 1976 | |
| Hilary Richard Lionel Hood, DFC[119] | 22 April 1940 | Christopher Granville-White CBE | 4 December 1978 | |
| Robert Charles Franklin Lister | 8 September 1940 | Hilton Henry Moses MBE | 8 March 1982 | |
| Donald Osborne Finlay, DFC, AFC | 14 September 1940 | David Kenworthy Norriss, QCVSA | November 1984 | |
| Lionel Manley Gaunce, DFC[120] | 9 August 1941 | David Henry Milne-Smith | March 1987 | |
| Petrus Hendrik Hugo, DSO, DFC & 2 Bars | 20 November 1941 | George William Pixton DFC, AFC | September 1989 | |
| John Clarke Fee | 12 April 1942 | Derek Stephen Griggs AFC, BA | March 1992 | |
| Geoffrey Cockayne Hyde | 28 July 1942 | Sir Christopher Nigel Harper KBE | 17 October 1994[121] | |
| Thomas Francis Neil, DFC & Bar, AFC | 3 September 1942 | John P. Maloney | January 1997 | |
| Bernard Ingham, DFC | 25 July 1943 | Graham A. Wright, BSc, HCSC | August 1999 | |
| Ian George Stewart Matthew, DFC | 20 November 1943 | Mark William Gardner Hopkins, MBE, MA, MSc | March 2002 | |
| Arthur Allan Glen, DFC & Bar | 26 January 1944 | Richard M. J. MacCormac, MA | September 2004 | |
| Robert Hugh Chapman | 28 May 1944 | Gary Martin Waterfall, CBE | 1 April 2006 | |
| Douglas Ian Benham, OBE, DFC, AFC | 28 August 1944 | Andrew Michael Myers, MBE, MA | 8 June 2007 | |
| John Bean Shepherd, DFC & 2 Bars[122] | 8 April 1945 | Richard Andrew Davies, CBE, MA | November 2009 | |
| Henry Ambrose, DFC & Bar | 28 January 1946 | Mark Owen Rodden | 6 June 2012 | |
| Peter Wilson Lovell, DFC, AFC | 1 April 1946 | Steven Berry, MBE, MEng | 5 December 2014 | |
| William Hoy, DFC, AFC[123] | 20 January 1948 | James Jody McMeeking | 15 September 2017 | |
| Harold Herbert Moon | 13 October 1948 | Lee Gordon | 1 April 2020[124] | |
| James Wallace, DSO, DFC, AFC[125] | November 1949 | Atila Batu BSc | September 2022 | |
| Raymond Brown Hesselyn, MBE, DFC, DFM & Bar | 19 March 1951 | Laura Frowen | 27 March 2025 |
| Name | Date of Award |
|---|---|
| Distinguished Service Order[126] | 6 |
| CLAXTON, William G. | 2 November 1918 |
| LANDON, Joseph H. A. | 4 June 1917 |
| MCCALL, Frederick R. G. | 3 August 1918 |
| LOCK, Eric S. | 17 December 1940 |
| HUGO, Petrus H. | 29 May 1942 |
| BURNE, Thomas R. | 29 May 1945 |
| Military Cross | 6 |
| BAKER, Valentine H. | 24 July 1917 |
| CHAPPELL, Roy W. | 22 June 1918 |
| DENISON, Amos A. | 3 February 1917 |
| MACLEAN, Loudoun J. (Bar) | 1 February 1918 |
| TAYLOR, Frank H. | 22 June 1918 |
| WINNICOTT, Russell | 18 March 1918 |
| Distinguished Flying Cross | 30 |
| CLAXTON, William G. | 3 August 1918 |
| CLAXTON, William G. (Bar) | 21 September 1918 |
| HEMMING, Alfred S. | 2 November 1918 |
| MACLEOD, Malcolm P. | 3 June 1919 |
| MCCALL, Frederick R. G. | 3 August 1918 |
| SHIELDS, William E. | 2 November 1918 |
| SHIELDS, William E. (Bar) | 8 February 1919 |
| SODEN, Frank O. | 8 February 1919 |
| STEPHENS, Eric J. | 3 June 1919 |
| RYDER, E. Norman | 19 April 1940 |
| HOOD, Hilary R. L. | 11 August 1940 |
| WEBSTER, J. Terence | 20 August 1940 |
| BENNIONS, George H. | 1 October 1940 |
| LOCK, Eric S. | 1 October 1940 |
| LOCK, Eric S. (Bar) | 22 October 1940 |
| MACKENZIE, John N. | 15 November 1940 |
| LOVELL, Anthony D. J. | 26 November 1940 |
| BUSH, Charles R. | 14 October 1941 |
| MARPLES, Roy | 14 October 1941 |
| BEARDSLEY, Robert A. | 17 October 1941 |
| WINSKILL, Archie L. | 6 January 1942 |
| FINLAY, Donald O. | 10 April 1942 |
| GLEN, Arthur A. | 29 May 1942 |
| GLEN, Arthur A. (Bar) | 5 November 1943 |
| BENHAM, Douglas I. (Bar) | 8 May 1945 |
| REID, Daniel J. | 1 June 1945 |
| COLEMAN, Patrick T. | 24 July 1945 |
| COWELL, Peter | 24 July 1945 |
| STEVENSON, Ian T. | 24 July 1945 |
| SHEPHERD, John B. (2nd Bar) | 14 September 1945 |
| PIXTON, George W. | 17 January 1991 |
| Distinguished Flying Medal | 1 |
| PALMER, Wilfred | 17 October 1941 |
| Military Medal | 2 |
| BRIFFAULT, H. Lister, Cpl Mech[127] | 15 July 1919 |
| WOOD, James, AM2[128] | 15 July 1919 |
| Mention in Despatches | 5 |
| CLAXTON, William G. | 8 November 1918 |
| KNOWLES, John W., Chf Mech[129] | 11 July 1919 |
| O'CONNOR, Martin, Snr Mech[130] | 11 July 1919 |
| SHIELDS, William E. | 11 July 1919 |
| LOCK, Eric S. | 17 March 1941 |
| Croix de Guerre (Belgium) | 2 |
| BOWMAN, Geoffrey H. | 15 July 1919 |
| MacLEOD, Malcolm P. | 15 July 1919 |
| Croix de Guerre (France) | 2 |
| GILLESPIE, William J. (with Palm) | 22 August 1919 |
| MARCHANT, Clarence H. (with Palm) | 12 February 1918 |
| World War I[131] | World War II[132] | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Date of Capture | Name | Date of Capture | |
| BUCKNALL, Claude V. | 5 October 1918 | APPLETON, Arthur S. | 18 December 1944 | |
| CARTER, Guy L. | 8 August 1918 | BREW, William A. | 27 August 1941 | |
| CLARK, Frederick S. | 29 October 1917 | BULL, Alan L. | 12 August 1941 | |
| CLATON, William G. | 17 August 1918 | CHAPMAN, Raymond | 12 August 1941 | |
| COOKE, Philip B. | 28 September 1918 | DRAPER, Gilbert G. F. | 7 August 1941 | |
| CRAWFORD, Charles | 24 September 1918 | GRAHAM, Peter B. | 1 September 1944 | |
| DEANE, George S. | 26 November 1916 | HARDING, Ross P. | 13 February 1945 | |
| DWYER, Neville Augustus | 22 September 1918 | HAYWOOD, Douglas | 27 August 1943 | |
| FRASER, Andrew | 3 May 1917 | HENRY, David J. V. | 10 February 1945 | |
| HAIGHT, John L. | 28 September 1917 | HIND, Peter[133] | 31 August 1941 | |
| HAIR, Norman B. | 7 June 1917 | HOARE, Reginald M.[134] | 1 April 1943 | |
| HALL, Ernest O. W | 27 October 1918 | PALMER, Wilfred | 12 April 1942 | |
| HEWAT, Harry B. | 28 September 1918 | PARRY, Hugh L.[135] | 7 February 1944 | |
| ISBELL, Arthur T. | 21 March 1918 | PRICKETT, Leslie A.[136] | 17 December 1943 | |
| MacGOWN, John C. | 7 July 1917 | ROOD, Albert van | 12 April 1942 | |
| MILANI, Rudolph S. | 28 May 1918 | SLACK, Thomas A. H. | 23 August 1944 | |
| MITCHELL, William | 28 September 1918 | STAPLETON, William A. | 1 June 1940 | |
| POWELL, Frederick J. | 2 February 1918 | STOK, Bram van der[137] | 12 April 1942 | |
| SMITH, A. F. | 28 September 1918 | TEBBIT, Donald F. J. | 22 February 1945 | |
| STURGESS, Thomas M. | 26 June 1917 | WAGNER, Herbert A. | 2 June 1944 | |
| TELFER, Harry C. | 28 September 1918 | WILLIAMS, Marx G. | 18 August 1941 |
| Name[138] | Period | Details |
|---|---|---|
| WINSKILL, Archie L. | August–November 1941 | Evaded and returned to UK |
| SLACK, Thomas A. H. | July–August 1943 | Evaded and returned to UK |
| PRICKETT, Leslie A. | August–December 1943 | Evaded for four months, but captured |
| MAY, Stanley H. | September–October 1943 | Evaded and returned to UK |
| PARRY, Hugh L. | September 1943 – March 1944 | Evaded for six months, but captured |
| STOK, Bram van der | March 1944 | Escaped in 'Great Escape' & returned to UK |
| Name[139] | Date of Injury | Service on 41 Sqn |
|---|---|---|
| BENNIONS, George H. | 1 October 1940 | 16 February 1936 – 1 October 1940 |
| LANE, Roy | 26 August 1940 | 6 April – ca 27 September 1943 |
| LOCK, Eric S. | 17 November 1940 | 18 June-17 November 1940 |
| WHALE, F. Victor | 11 December 1944 | 7 March 1945 – 12 February 1946 |
| WOOLLARD, Frederick G. | 18 July 1944 | 18 December 1943 – 18 July 1944 |
| Name[140] | Nationality | Date | Name | Nationality | Date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1916–1919 | 1939–1945 | |||||
| ALEXANDER, Thomas M. | British | 17 August 1918 | CHATTIN, Peter W. | British | 3 September 1944 | |
| ARBERY, Ernest E. | British | 6 June 1917 | COPE, Arthur R. | Australian | 9 March 1943 | |
| BAILEY, Louis J. | British | 17 June 1917 | COPLEY, John J. H. | British | 14 September 1939 | |
| BARWELL, Humphrey E. | British | 3 February 1918 | CROKER, Eric E. | New Zealander | 2 June 1941 | |
| BROWNING, Stanley F. | British | 3 May 1917 | DUNSTAN, Bruce P. | British | 12 February 1942 | |
| BUSH, John S. de L. | British | 25 August 1917 | EAST, Walter R. | British | 3 May 1943 | |
| CHAPMAN, Alfred J. | British | 18 September 1917 | FLEMING, Douglas | Canadian | 23 November 1941 | |
| CHIPCHASE, Benjamin | British | 20 March 1918 | GAMBLEN, Douglas R. | British | 29 July 1940 | |
| CODY, Samuel F. L. | British | 23 January 1917 | GARVEY, Leonard A. | British | 30 October 1940 | |
| DOUGLAS, Frederick W. | Canadian | 12 August 1918 | GAUNCE, Lionel M. | Canadian | 19 November 1941 | |
| ECCLES, Charley G. | British | 25 May 1917 | GILDERS, John S. | British | 21 February 1941 | |
| EDWARDS, Arthur W. | British | 10 October 1917 | GILLITT, Frank N. | British | 22 October 1942 | |
| FRASER, Alistair H. | British | 11 August 1918 | GOODALL, Bernard B. | New Zealander | 15 August 1942 | |
| GORDON, John A. | Canadian | 12 August 1918 | GRAY, James A. B. | British | 3 October 1943 | |
| HOLMAN, Gerald C. | British | 17 September 1917 | HARRIS, Albert | British | 18 October 1939 | |
| JACKSON, Harold | British | 7 June 1917 | HARRISON, Ronald | British | 22 October 1942 | |
| JONES, Harold E. | British | 22 November 1917 | HIND, Peter | British | 8 July 1942 | |
| MacGREGOR, Donald A. D. I. | British | 30 November 1917 | HOGARTH, Rycherde H. W. | South African | 18 July 1943 | |
| MARTIN, Frederick W. H. | Canadian | 9 August 1918 | HOGG, Ralph V. | British | 10 December 1940 | |
| McARDLE, Hugh F. | British | 18 September 1917 | HOOD, Hilary R. L. | British | 5 September 1940 | |
| McCONE, John P. | Canadian | 24 March 1918 | HUNT, Leonard | British | 16 September 1941 | |
| MITCHELL, William | British | 10 October 1918 | HYDE, Geoffrey C. | British | 19 August 1942 | |
| MORRIS, Walter A. | British | 2 October 1918 | JENKIN, Thomas E. | British | 5 May 1942 | |
| NICHOLLS, Edward C. H. R. | British | 20 September 1918 | JONES, Horace | British | 18 October 1939 | |
| O'LONGAN, Paul C. S. | Irish | 1 June 1917 | JURY, Richard D. | British | 18 August 1941 | |
| PAYNE, Hubert | British | 4 January 1917 | LANGLEY, Gerald A. | British | 15 September 1940 | |
| PERKINS, Thorold | British | 31 May 1917 | LECKY, John G. | British | 11 October 1940 | |
| PINK, Alan L. | British | 30 October 1918 | LEGARD, William E. | British | 1 June 1940 | |
| STANLEY, Frederick | British | 26 October 1917 | LLOYD, Philip D. | British | 15 October 1940 | |
| SWANN, Gerald H. | British | 18 October 1917 | McADAM, John | British | 20 February 1941 | |
| TAYLOR, Robert E. | Canadian | 17 September 1917 | MORGAN, Harry P. D. | British | 27 August 1941 | |
| THOMPSON, William G. | British | 14 July 1917 | MOTTERSHEAD, Clifford H. | British | 2 March 1945 | |
| TOOMS, Cecil S. | British | 24 January 1917 | MURRIN, Wilfred F. | British | 18 May 1943 | |
| TRIMBLE, Alan V. | British | 25 August 1918 | ODDY, Clifford | British | 17 July 1944 | |
| TUCKER, Donald C. | British | 24 March 1918 | O'NEILL, Desmond H. | Irish | 11 October 1940 | |
| TURNBULL, John S. | British | 17 June 1918 | OVERALL, Horace E. H. | Canadian | 6 November 1939 | |
| WEISS, Edward S. | British | 22 November 1917 | OXENHAM, Russel E. G. | British | 24 September 1942 | |
| WHITEHEAD, Reginald M. | British | 22 November 1917 | POYNTON, T. Rex | Zululand | 23 April 1943 | |
| WINNICOTT, Russell | British | 6 December 1917 | ROBINSON, Kenneth B. | Irish | 7 June 1944 | |
| SCOTT, Thomas R. | British | 22 October 1942 | ||||
| 1923–1939[141] | SCOTT, William J. M. | British | 8 September 1940 | |||
| SHEA, David J. | Canadian | 13 March 1944 | ||||
| ADDAMS, Anthony C. | British | 16 June 1926 | SHEPHERD, John B. | British | 22 January 1946 | |
| ALLDAY, Francis | British | 9 June 1936 | SHORT, Roger L. | British | 17 July 1944 | |
| BAILEY, Allan S. | British | 9 June 1936 | THOMAS, John I. | British | 24 April 1943 | |
| BAKER, Frank | British | 18 May 1934 | VALIQUET, Charles N. | Canadian | 9 May 1942 | |
| BRADBURY, Geoffrey | British | 20 May 1928 | VAN GOENS, Ryklof | Dutch | 17 August 1944 | |
| MITCHELL, Kenneth | British | 18 July 1939 | VINCENT, Arthur | British | 18 October 1939 | |
| ST. GEORGE-TAYLOR, Harold | British | 9 October 1924 | VYKOUKAL, Karel J. | Czech | 21 May 1942 | |
| SAWYER, Wilfred | British | 6 August 1930 | WAINWRIGHT, Derek W. | British | 10 June 1942 | |
| SERJEANT, George V. | British | 16 March 1939 | WATTS, Edward G. H. | British | 12 April 1942 | |
| SLOWEY, Henry E. | New Zealander | 23 August 1932 | WEBSTER, J. Terence | British | 5 September 1940 | |
| VAUGHAN-FOWLER, Denis G. | British | 7 August 1931 | WHITEFORD, Cyril J. L. | Rhodesian | 13 October 1941 | |
| . | ||||||
| 1939–1946 | 1946–present | |||||
| . | ||||||
| ALLAN, Reginald C. | Australian | 20 July 1942 | SHEPHERD, John B. | Canadian | 22 January 1946 | |
| ALLEN, John J. | Australian | 20 June 1942 | MUNROE, John P. J.[142] | British | 17 April 1956 | |
| ANGUS, Robert A. | British | 20 February 1941 | COULSTON, Roger T.[143] | British | 13 October 1956 | |
| BACHE, Leslie L. | British | 13 October 1941 | TAYLOR, Earl[144] | American | 11 July 1958 | |
| BALASSE, Maurice A. L. | Belgian | 23 January 1945 | ROE, Brian | British | 21 May 1983 | |
| BEDNARZ, Jozef | Polish | 1 February 1943 | MESSENGER, Michael J. | British | 21 May 1983 | |
| BLITZ, Morris | British | 13 October 1940 | ARMSTRONG, Paul T. | British | 21 May 1983 | |
| BODKIN, W. Fred | Canadian | 28 August 1941 | SWASH, Derrick | British | 21 May 1983 | |
| BOYD, Robert J. | British | 6 September 1943 | WINSHIP, Stuart | British | 21 May 1983 | |
| BOYLE, John G. | Canadian | 28 September 1940 | MANNHEIM, Andrew S.[145] | British | 17 June 1987 | |
| BRIGGS, Michael F. | British | 2 April 1941 | NOBLE, Greg[146] | British | 23 January 1996 | |
| CHALDER, Harry H. | British | 10 November 1940 |
| Formations and units |
| ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Branches and components | |||||||
| Reserve forces | |||||||
| Equipment | |||||||
| Personnel | |||||||
| Appointments | |||||||
| Symbols and uniform | |||||||
| Associated civil organisations | |||||||
