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No.253 Sqn RAF

Name : No.253 Sqn RAF Founded : 7th June 1918 Disbanded : 16th September 1947 Re - founded : 18th May 1955 Re - disbanded : 1st September 1957 Country : UK Fate : Disbanded 1st September 1957 More Details : Hyderabad State Come one, come all Known Code Letters : , SW,

253 Squadron was formed at Bembridge, on the Isle of Wight, on 7 June 1918, During the squadrons stay at Bembridge it parented No. 412 (Seaplane) Flight RAF and No. 413 (Seaplane) Flight RAF, as well as No. 511 (Special Duty) Flight RAF, No. 512 (Special Duty) Flight RAF and No. 513 (Special Duty) Flight RAF for coastal reconnaissance and anti-submarine patrols, flying Short Type 184 and Airco DH.6 aircraft. DH.6s of 511 and 512 Flights flew their aircraft from the aerodrome at Foreland 253 sqd was disbanded on 31 May 1919. On 30 October 1939, No 253 Squadron reformed at Manston and was originally intended as a shipping protection unit with Blenheims. None were delivered, however, and the squadron began to receive Hurricanes in February 1940, becoming operational on 3 April. In May 1940 one flight was sent to France to reinforce the hard-pressed Hurricane squadrons while the second flight flew daily to French airfields from 17 to 23 May. After re-equipping in Lincolnshire, No 253 took part in the Battle of Britain from the end of August and remained in southern England until January 1941. In February the squadron moved to the Orkneys for air defence duties, returning to England in September for convoy patrols off the East Coast. After taking part in the Dieppe raid, No.253 became non-operational in preparation for the invasion of North Africa and arrived in Algeria a few days after the landings. It provided air cover for the Army and its supply lines during the Tunisian campaign and its aftermath, moving to Italy in October 1943. In February 1944, the squadron arrived in Corsica to undertake escort and anti-shipping missions, returning to Italy in April for similar duties over Yugoslvia. In April 1945 the squadron actually moved to a base at Zadar that had been captured by the Yugoslav partisans during the German retreat from the country. After the end of the war the squadron quickly returned to Italy, spending the next year at Treviso. the squadron acquired a flight of Spitfire XIs from No.225 Squadron and disbanded on 16 May 1947. It moved to Austria during the winter of 1946-47 before returning to Treviso, where it was disbanded on 16 May 1947. On 18 April 1955, No 253 reformed at Waterbeach as a night fighter squadron with Venoms which it flew until disbanded on 1 September 1957. The Squadron operated the following aircraft December 1939-May 1940: Fairey Battle I February 1940-August 1941: Hawker Hurricane I, July 1941-September 1942: Hawker Hurricane IIA and IIB ' January 1942-September 1943: Hawker Hurricane IIC, March 1943: Supermarine Spitfire VC , August 1943-November 1944: Supermarine Spitfire VC , September 1943-June 1944: Supermarine Spitfire IX , November 1944-May 1947: Supermarine Spitfire VIII and IX March-May 1947: Supermarine Spitfire XI April 1955 Venom Jet Fighters

Known Service Details :
Pilot or Aircrew	Rank	Start of Service	End of Service	Known Dates	Aircraft	Airframes	Notes
H. H. Allgood		unknown	unknown
J A Anderson	Sergeant	unknown	unknown	14th September 1940	Hurricane	P3804
A. R. H. Barton	Pilot Officer	16th February 1941	9th July 1941		Hurricane	R2686
D. B. Bell-Salter	Flight Officer	unknown	unknown	18th May 1940 02nd September 1940	Hurricane	V6640 N2545
G. A. Brown	Flight Lieutenant	unknown	unknown	30th August 1940	Hurricane	P3802
W. P. Cambridge	Squadron Leader	unknown	6th September 1940		Hurricane	P3032	Killed in Action
I. C. C. Clenshaw	Sergeant	unknown	10th July 1940		Hurricane	P3359	Killed in Action
J. K. G. Clifton	Pilot Officer	unknown	1st September 1940		Hurricane	P5185	Killed in Action
S. F. Cooper	Sergeant	unknown	unknown	30th August 1940	Hurricane	P2631
J. H. Dickinson	Pilot Officer	unknown	30th August 1940		Hurricane	P3213
A. F. Eckford		unknown	unknown
G. R. Edge	Squadron Leader	unknown	unknown	26th September 1940	Hurricane	P2958
A. Edgley	Sergeant	unknown	unknown	29th September 1940	Hurricane	P2677
John Ellecombe		unknown	unknown
D. J. Ford	Pilot Officer	unknown	unknown	23rd May 1940		N2614
C. D. Francis	Pilot Officer	unknown	30th August 1940		Hurricane	L1965	Killed in Action
T. P. Gleave		unknown	unknown	31st August 1940		P3115
Tom Gleave	Squadron Leader	unknown	unknown	30th August 1940	Hurricane
R. C. Graves	Pilot Officer	unknown	unknown	29th September 1940	Hurricane
J. P. B. Greenwood	Pilot Officer	unknown	unknown	30th August 1940	Hurricane
Robert Innes		May 1940	unknown		Hurricane	L1666 V6736
D. N. O. Jenkins	Pilot Officer	unknown	30th August 1940		Hurricane	P9321 P3921	Killed in Action
S. Kita	Sergeant	unknown	unknown	01st December 1940	Hurricane	P3678
J. Metham	Sergeant	unknown	unknown	02nd September 1940	Hurricane	P2946
L. C. Murch	Pilot Officer	unknown	unknown	03rd September 1940 11th October 1940	Hurricane	P3610 V6570
T. Nowak	Pilot Officer	unknown	unknown	30th August 1940	Hurricane
W. M. C. Samolinski	Pilot Officer	unknown	26th September 1940		Hurricane	V7470	Killed in Action
H. M. Starr	Squadron Leader	unknown	31st August 1940		Hurricane	L1830	Killed in Action
J. T. Strang	Pilot Officer	unknown	unknown	18th May 1940	Hurricane	P2761
W Archie Strang	P/O	unknown	unknown	12th September 1940	Hurricane
W Archie Strang	P/O	unknown	unknown	12th September 1940	Hurricane
A. A. G. Trueman	Flight Officer	unknown	4th September 1940		Hurricane	V6638	Killed in Action

Pilots and Aircrew for : No.253 Sqn RAF
A list of all aircrew from our database who are associated with this squadron. A profile page is available by clicking their name.
Name	Info
Allen, K M Click the name above to see a profile of Allen, K M	Allen, K M
Allgood, H. H. Click the name above to see a profile of Allgood, H. H.    Died : 10 / 10 / 1940	Allgood, H. H. Sergeant H.H.Allgood of No.85 Squadron was wounded on May 16th 1940 when flying in Hurricane (L1898), he crash-landed following combat with Me109s north-west of Lille. Sergeant Allgood was killed on October 10th 1940.
Anderson, J A Click the name above to see a profile of Anderson, J A    Died : 28 / 5 / 1978	Anderson, J A Sergeant J.A. Anderson of No 253 Squadron was wounded on 14th of September 1940, following combat with a Bf 109 over Faversham. Sergeant J.A. Anderson baled out of his Hurricane I (P3804). Sergeant J.A. Anderson passed away 28th May 1978.
Barton, A. R. H. Click the name above to see a profile of Barton, A. R. H.    Died : 4 / 4 / 1943	Barton, A. R. H. Pilot Officer A.R.H. Barton was an experienced pilot with both the RAF and F.A.A. before the war. On the 20th September 1940 he was shot down again in a Hurricane I (R2686) by a Bf 109 over Kent. Barton was severely wounded and did not return to operations until February 1941. He was awarded the D.F.C. on the 10th of April 1942, credited with five kills during the Battle of Britain. He was awarded the Bar to the D.F.C. on the 7th of July 1942 for destroying a five enemy aircraft while in Malta. A.R.H.Barton was killed in a flying accident while an instructor on the 4th of April 1943, aged 29.
Bell-Salter, D. B. Click the name above to see a profile of Bell-Salter, D. B.	Bell-Salter, D. B. Flight Officer D.B.Bell-Salter of No 253 Squadron. On May 18th 1940 Bell-Salter force-landed Hurricane (N2545) near Vitry following combat with Me109s. On the 2nd of September 1940 when his Hurricane I (V6640) was damaged in combat. Flight Officer Bell-Salter was injured on landing after baling out.
Bidgood, E. G. Click the name above to see a profile of Bidgood, E. G.    Died : 16 / 11 / 1940	Bidgood, E. G. Missing November 16th 1940**
Bitmead, E. R. Click the name above to see a profile of Bitmead, E. R.	Bitmead, E. R.
Brookman, R. W. A. Click the name above to see a profile of Brookman, R. W. A.    Died : 22 / 2 / 1941	Brookman, R. W. A. Missing February 22nd 1941
Brown, G. A. Click the name above to see a profile of Brown, G. A.	Brown, G. A.
Cambridge, W. P. Click the name above to see a profile of Cambridge, W. P.    Died : 6 / 9 / 1940	Cambridge, W. P. Squadron Leader W.P.Cambridge of No 253 Squadron was killed after being shot down on the 6th of September 1940. Cambridge baled out of his Hurricane I (P3032) but was dead on landing.
Carthew, G. C. T. Click the name above to see a profile of Carthew, G. C. T.	Carthew, G. C. T.
Clenshaw, I. C. C. Click the name above to see a profile of Clenshaw, I. C. C.    Died : 10 / 7 / 1940	Clenshaw, I. C. C. Sergeant Ian.C.Clenshaw of No 253 Squadron. Clenshaw was flying his Hurricane (P3359)on dawn patrol on the 10th of July 1940 in bad weather. He crashed near Irby-on-Humber, Lincolnshire. He lost his life.
Clifton, J. K. G. Click the name above to see a profile of Clifton, J. K. G.    Died : 1 / 9 / 1940	Clifton, J. K. G. Pilot Officer J.K.G.Clifton of No.253 Squadron was killed on September 1st 1940. His Hurricane (P5185) was shot down over Dungeness.
Cooper, S. F. Click the name above to see a profile of Cooper, S. F.	Cooper, S. F. Sergeant S.F.Cooper of No 253 Squadron crashed his Hurricane I (P2631) near to Biddenden on the 30th of August 1940 and was uninjured.
Corkett, A. H. Click the name above to see a profile of Corkett, A. H.	Corkett, A. H.
Cukr, V. E. Click the name above to see a profile of Cukr, V. E.	Cukr, V. E.
Davies, Alan Click the name above to see a profile of Davies, Alan	Davies, Alan Joining the RAF in 1943, Alan Davies did his pilot training in America. Returning to the UK he flew Spitfire MkXIVs with an OTU, before joining 225 Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron flying Spitfire Mk IXs. At the end of the war, he remained with the squadron, first at Klagenfurt in Austria, then Udine in Italy, and served briefly with 253 Squadron.
Dickinson, J. H. Click the name above to see a profile of Dickinson, J. H.    Died : 30 / 8 / 1940	Dickinson, J. H. Sergeant J.H.Dickinson of No 253 Squadron was killed on the 30th of August 1940 after he baled out of his Hurricane (P3213) was killed near Woodchurch.
Dredge, A. S. Click the name above to see a profile of Dredge, A. S.    Died : 18 / 5 / 1945	Dredge, A. S. Killed in flying accident May 18th 1945
Duke-Woolley, R. M. B. D. Click the name above to see a profile of Duke-Woolley, R. M. B. D.	Duke-Woolley, R. M. B. D.
Eckford, A. F. Click the name above to see a profile of Eckford, A. F.	Eckford, A. F. Flight Officer Alan F.Eckford was a member of No 32 Squadron until 19th of May 1940 when Eckford was posted to No 242 Hurricane Squadron. Eckford rejoined No 32 Squadron at the end of July. Alan F.Eckford was awarded the D.F.C. on the 24th of December 1940.
Edge, G. R. Click the name above to see a profile of Edge, G. R.	Edge, G. R. Squadron Leader Gerry Edge flew with No 253 Squadron in Hurricane's during the Battle of Britain. On the 26th of September 1940. He baled out of his Hurricane I (P2958) after combat over the Channel and was rescued.
Edgley, A. Click the name above to see a profile of Edgley, A.	Edgley, A. Sergeant A.Edgley was part of No 601 Squadron and of No 253 Squadron. He was wounded on the 29th of September 1940 after he was shot down in his Hurricane I (P2677) during combat over the Newhaven. He baled out.
Ellecombe, John Click the name above to see a profile of Ellecombe, John    Died : 11 / 5 / 2014	Ellecombe, John John Ellecombe joined the RAF in 1939 and was posted to 151 Squadron in July 1940, immediately converting to Hurricanes. On 24th August he shot down a He111, but a week later his Hurricane was blown up in combat and he baled out, with burns. Rejoining his squadron a few months later, in February 1941 was posted to 253 Squadron where he took part in the Dieppe operations. On 28th July, flying a Turbinlite Havoc, he probably destroyed a Do217. Converting to Mosquitos, John was posted to 487 Squadron RNZAF, and during the build up to the Normandy Invasion and after, was involved in many ground attacks on enemy held airfields, railways, and other targets of opportunity. He completed a total of 37 sorties on Mosquitos. Flying a de Havilland Mosquito XIII with a devastating set of four 20mm cannon in the nose, John Ellacombe flew deep into occupied France on the night before D-Day searching out and destroying German convoys and railway targets. As the Normandy campaign raged on, 151 Squadron intensified its interdiction sorties - including night attacks on Falaise and the Seine bridges. On August 1st Ellacombe took part in the famous attack by 23 Mosquitoes on the German bar-racks in Poitiers, led by Group Captain Wykeham Barnes. Ellacombe had first joined 151 Squadron during the Battle of Britain, direct from Flying Training School. Within weeks he had scored his first victory but also force landed in a field, having shot down a He 111, and baled out of a blazing Hurricane. He baled out a second time during the Dieppe Raid in 1942 but was picked up safely. Postwar he had a long and successful career in the RAE.
Ford, D. J. Click the name above to see a profile of Ford, D. J.	Ford, D. J. Pilot Officer D.J.Ford of No.253 Squadron was on patrol in Hurricane (N2614) on May 23rd 1940 when he was shot down in combat with Me109s.
Francis, C. D. Click the name above to see a profile of Francis, C. D.    Died : 30 / 8 / 1940	Francis, C. D. Pilot Officer C.D.Francis of No 253 Squadron killed on the 30th of August 1940 following combat in his Hurricane I (L1965), it was shot down.
Gilpin, Peter Click the name above to see a profile of Gilpin, Peter	Gilpin, Peter Peter originally joined 253 Sqn flying Hurricanes, converting to Spitfire Mark 5s he took part in the invasions of North Africa and Sicily, providing fighter cover. Later based in Italy he was on a low level fighter sweep over Yugoslavia on the 2nd June 1944 when he was hit by ground fire and had to bale out. Captured by the Germans he was initially a PoW in Yugoslavia, before being transferred to Stalag Luft 7a, Moosberg, Germany.
Gleave, T. P. Click the name above to see a profile of Gleave, T. P.	Gleave, T. P.
Gleave, Tom Click the name above to see a profile of Gleave, Tom	Gleave, Tom Squadron Leader Tom P.Gleave flew Hurricane's with No 253 Squadron and August 30th 1940 shot down four Bf 109's in a few seconds. He shared command with Squadron Leader H.M.Starr until the 31st of August 1940.
Graves, R. C. Click the name above to see a profile of Graves, R. C.	Graves, R. C. Pilot Officer R.C.Graves of No 253 Squadron was wounded on the 29th of September 1940. He was shot down in his Hurricane during combat with a Bf 109 over Weybridge, he baled out with burns.
Greenwood, J. P. B. Click the name above to see a profile of Greenwood, J. P. B.	Greenwood, J. P. B.
Hammond, D. J. Click the name above to see a profile of Hammond, D. J.	Hammond, D. J.
Higgins, W. B. Click the name above to see a profile of Higgins, W. B.    Died : 14 / 9 / 1940	Higgins, W. B. Killed September 14th 1940
Innes, R. A. Click the name above to see a profile of Innes, R. A.	Innes, R. A.
Innes, Robert Click the name above to see a profile of Innes, Robert    Died : 6 / 4 / 2005	Innes, Robert Born on June 15th 1918, Innes joined the RAFVR about August 1938 as an Airman under training Pilot. Called up on September 1st 1939 he completed his training at No 10 FTS Fern Hill from November 5th 1939 to early May 1940. Bob Innes was then posted to 253 (F) Squadron on Hurricanes at Kenley on May 6th 1940. He claimed a Bf110 destroyed on August 30th and on September 15th shot down a Dornier Do17 of 8/KG2. Bob Innes crashed in Hurricane V6736 on September 20th 1940 following an attack by Bf109s over Maidstone. He crashed again during an interception patrol on October 11th at Staplehurst in Kent, whilst flying Hurricane L1666 (force landing). He probably destroyed a Bf109 off the coast of Essex on November 11th 1940. Commissioned in March 1941 - Bob Innes served in Malta and retired from the RAF on August 31st 1961 as a Squadron Leader. Bob sadly passed away on April 6th 2005
Jenkins, D. N. O. Click the name above to see a profile of Jenkins, D. N. O.    Died : 30 / 8 / 1940	Jenkins, D. N. O. Pilot Officer D.N.O.Jenkins of No 253 Squadron baled out of his Hurricane I (P3921) after it was shot down by a German fighter over Redhill on August 30th 1940. He was killed.
Jessop, E. R. Click the name above to see a profile of Jessop, E. R.    Died : 15 / 11 / 1941	Jessop, E. R. Killed in flying accident November 15th 1941
Kee, E. H. C. Click the name above to see a profile of Kee, E. H. C.    Died : 20 / 4 / 1944	Kee, E. H. C. Killed April 20th 1944
Kita, S. Click the name above to see a profile of Kita, S.	Kita, S.
Kopecky, M. Click the name above to see a profile of Kopecky, M.	Kopecky, M.
Marsland, G. Click the name above to see a profile of Marsland, G.	Marsland, G.
Metham, J. Click the name above to see a profile of Metham, J.    Died : 1 / 9 / 1942	Metham, J. Sergeant J.Metham from No 253 Squadron was injured on September 2nd 1940 when his Hurricane I (P2946) was shot down and crashed near Thanet.
Moore, P. J. Click the name above to see a profile of Moore, P. J.    Died : 3 / 6 / 1942	Moore, P. J. Killed June 3rd 1942
Murch, L. C. Click the name above to see a profile of Murch, L. C.    Died : 16 / 9 / 1943	Murch, L. C. Pilot Officer L.C.Murch from No 253 Squadron was unhurt when he crashed at Nonnington, Kent on September 3rd 1940 when his engine cut and he had to force-land his Hurricane I (P3610). He was injured on October 11th 1940 when he baled out of his Hurricane I (V6570) with a broken arm. He had been in combat over Tunbridge Wells.
Nowak, T. Click the name above to see a profile of Nowak, T.	Nowak, T. Pilot Officer Tadeusz Nowak from Poland flew Hurricane's during the Battle of Britain with No 253 Squadron. He was promoted to flying officer.
Peacock-Edwards, S. R. Click the name above to see a profile of Peacock-Edwards, S. R.	Peacock-Edwards, S. R.
Pennington, D. A. Click the name above to see a profile of Pennington, D. A.	Pennington, D. A.
Risso, Joseph Click the name above to see a profile of Risso, Joseph	Risso, Joseph Escaping to England from Algeria, Joseph Risso joined the RAF in 1940. Flying Hurricanes with 253 squadron, he later took part in Turbin-light night fighter operations over the North Sea. In March 1943 Joseph Risso was one of the first batch of 14 pilots to take part inair operations over the Russian front with the first Normandie-Niemen Squadron. Only three of these first pilots survived the war. Joseph Risso flew over 600 missions and scored 11 victories. He was decorated by France and the Soviet Union.
Samolinski, W. M. C. Click the name above to see a profile of Samolinski, W. M. C.    Died : 26 / 9 / 1940	Samolinski, W. M. C. Pilot Officer W.M.C.Samolinski from Poland of No 253 Squadron was killed when he was shot down in his Hurricane I (V7470) over the Channel on September 26th 1940.
Starr, H. M. Click the name above to see a profile of Starr, H. M.    Died : 31 / 8 / 1940	Starr, H. M. Squadron Leader H.M.Starr of No.253 Squadron was killed on August 31st of 1940. His Hurricane (L1830) was shot down near Kent and Starr baled out, he was then machine gunned during his fall and killed in the process.
Strang, J. T. Click the name above to see a profile of Strang, J. T.	Strang, J. T. Pilot Officer J.T.Strang of No.253 Squadron force-landed his Hurricane (P2761) following combat with Me110s near Vitry.
Strang, W Archie Click the name above to see a profile of Strang, W Archie	Strang, W Archie A New Zealander, an ex All Blacks rugby player before the war ( A five-eighth who slotted a magnificent drop goal to give the All Blacks a rare win over the Springboks in that country. He also captained South Canterbury against the 1930 British team.) was made assistant adjutant, and flew very rarely afterwards. He went back to Timaru in the South Island of New Zealand, where he had his own place at the bar of the local pub. He became secretary of Christchurch Rugby Union club,
Trueman, A. A. G. Click the name above to see a profile of Trueman, A. A. G.    Died : 4 / 9 / 1940	Trueman, A. A. G. Flight Officer Alex Albert Gray Trueman a Canadian flew Hurricane with No 253 Squadron during the Battle of Britain. He was shot down and killed over Kenley in a Hurricanes I (V6638) on September 4th 1940.
Watts, R. F. Click the name above to see a profile of Watts, R. F.	Watts, R. F.
Wedgewood, J. H. Click the name above to see a profile of Wedgewood, J. H.    Died : 17 / 12 / 1942	Wedgewood, J. H. Killed December 17th 1942
Whitehead, R. O. Click the name above to see a profile of Whitehead, R. O.	Whitehead, R. O.
Yapp, D. S. Click the name above to see a profile of Yapp, D. S.	Yapp, D. S.

Aircraft for : No.253 Sqn RAF
A list of all aircraft associated with No.253 Sqn RAF. A profile page including a list of all art prints for the aircraft is available by clicking the aircraft name.
Aircraft	Info
Havoc Click the name above to see prints featuring Havoc aircraft. Manufacturer : Douglas	Havoc A-20
Hurricane Click the name above to see prints featuring Hurricane aircraft. Manufacturer : Hawker Production Began : 1936 Number Built : 14533	Hurricane Royal Air Force Fighter, the Hawker Hurricane had a top speed of 320mph, at 18,200 feet and 340mph at 17,500, ceiling of 34,200 and a range of 935 miles. The Hurricane was armed with eight fixed wing mounted .303 browning machine guns in the Mark I and twelve .303 browning's in the MKIIB in the Hurricane MKIIC it had four 20mm cannon. All time classic fighter the Hurricane was designed in 1933-1934, the first prototype flew in June 1936 and a contract for 600 for the Royal Air Force was placed. The first production model flew ion the 12th October 1937 and 111 squadron of the Royal Air Force received the first Hurricanes in January 1938. By the outbreak of World war two the Royal Air Force had 18 operational squadrons of Hurricanes. During the Battle of Britain a total of 1715 Hurricanes took part, (which was more than the rest of the aircraft of the Royal air force put together) and almost 75% of the Victories during the Battle of Britain went to hurricane pilots. The Hawker Hurricane was used in all theatres during World war two, and in many roles. in total 14,533 Hurricanes were built.
Venom Click the name above to see prints featuring Venom aircraft.	Venom Full profile not yet available.