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No.1 Sqn RCAF

Name : No.1 Sqn RCAF Country : Canada Fate : renumbered No 401 Squadron.

At the outbreak of war, 115 Squadron of the R.C.A.F. Auxiliary was reinforced by some regulars of No 1 Squadron of the R.C.A.F. to form the new No 1 (R.C.A.F.) Squadron. These men arrived in England on 20 June and underwent six weeks training at Middle Wallop, during which time its Hurricanes were modified to U.K. standards. They then moved to Croydon and flew each day to Northolt for instruction by No 111 Squadron, who had been the first R.A.F. Squadron to receive Hurricanes, before becoming operational on the 17 August 1940. The squadron's début was inauspicious, when two Bristol Blenheims of RAF Coastal Command were accidentally shot down on 24 August, and three crewmen killed. On its second patrol on 26 August 1940 it met with 25–30 Dorniers and was credited with three destroyed and three damaged in the fight. However, three of the squadron's aircraft were shot down and one pilot (F/O R. L. Edwards[6]) was killed. The squadron experienced a fairly high aircraft loss rate during the end of August and into September as the squadron battled against the German formations over south London. On 21 September the squadron participated in the first attempt at a wing formation operation by the Northholt-based squadrons, with No. 229 Squadron RAF and No. 303 (Polish), although no enemy aircraft were encountered. By 27 September, although downing seven bombers, only six aircraft were operational by the end of the day. On 11 October the depleted squadron was moved to RAF Prestwick in Scotland and its operational activity was coastal patrol work over the Clyde approaches. During the 53 days it participated in the battle the squadron shot down 29 enemy aircraft, probably destroyed eight, and damaged 35. It flew 1,694 sorties (1,569 operational hours and 1,201 non-operational), lost three pilots killed, ten wounded and 16 aircraft, with two pilots killed in accidents Uniquely, initially the squadron pilots were all officers. On 1 March 1941 all non-RAF squadrons were renumbered to eliminate duplication, and No 1 (R.C.A.F.) was renumbered No 401 Squadron. The squadron had replaced its Hurricanes with Spitfires Mk IIs in September 1941, Mk Vs in late 1941 and in July 1942 some of the first examples of the new Mk IX. Operating from Digby with No 12 Group Fighter Command until October 1941, it saw little action, but it then moved south to RAF Biggin Hill and remained in 11 Group carrying out offensive operations over Occupied Europe until January 1943. On 21 October 401's first loss of this phase of operations was F/S B.F. Whitson, taken prisoner after being shot down over Saint-Omer. On 27 October the squadron was operating as high cover to the Biggin Hill Wing, and were 'bounced' by I and III Gruppe, JG 26, led by Oberst Adolf Galland. Five Spitfires were lost, with F/O C. A. B. Wallace, P/O J.A. Small and Sgt. S. L. Thompson killed, and P/O C. W. Floody and Sgt. B. G. Hodgkinson both prisoner.[8] On 8 November 1941 on the last mass fighter sweep of the year the squadron was attacked by I. and III./JG 26, and F/O J. C. Weir (prisoner of war) and Sgt. R. W. Gardner (killed) were lost over Le Touquet shot down by Fw. Babenz and Leut. Uibacker of JG 26. A two-squadron sweep with No. 72 Squadron over France on 22 November saw claims for two Bf 109s and three Fw 190s destroyed (I./JG 26 lost one Bf 109 and a Fw 190 crash-landed) for F/O H.A. Sprague (POW).

Known Service Details :
Pilot or Aircrew	Rank	Start of Service	End of Service	Known Dates	Aircraft	Airframes	Notes
E. W. B. Beardmore	Flight Officer	unknown	unknown	18th September 1940	Hurricane	P3859
B. E. Christmas	Pilot Officer	unknown	unknown		Hurricane
V. B. Corbett	Flight Lieutenant	unknown	unknown	31st August 1940	Hurricane	L1851 P3869
J. P. J. Desloges	Flight Officer	unknown	unknown	31st August 1940	Hurricane	N2530
R. L. Edwards	Flight Officer	unknown	27th October 1940		Hurricane	P3874	Killed in Action
G. G. Hyde	Flight Officer	unknown	unknown	31st August 1940	Hurricane	P2971
T. B. Little	Flight Officer	unknown	27th August 1941	11th September 1940	Hurricane	ZB001 Z5001 P3534
P. W. Lochnan	Flight Officer	unknown	unknown	11th September 1940	Hurricane	V6670
G. R. McGregor	Flight Lieutenant	unknown	unknown	25th October 1940
E. A. McNab	Squadron Leader	unknown	unknown
W. D. MacD. Millar	Flight Officer	unknown	unknown	09th September 1940	Hurricane	P3081
H. DeM. Molson	Flight Officer	unknown	unknown	18th August 1940 05th October 1940	Hurricane	P3873 P3757
A. D. Nesbitt	Flight Officer	unknown	unknown	15th September 1940	Hurricane	P3080
O. J. Peterson	Flight Officer	unknown	27th September 1940		Hurricane	P3647	Killed in Action
P. B. Pitcher	Squadron Leader	unknown	unknown
E. M. Reyno		unknown	unknown
R. Smither	Flight Officer	unknown	15th September 1940		Hurricane	P3876	Killed in Action
W. P. Sprenger	Flight Officer	unknown	unknown	31st August 1940	Hurricane	P3858
A. McL. Yuile	Flight Officer	unknown	unknown	01st September 1940 11th September 1940 15th September 1940	Hurricane	L1973 R4171

Pilots and Aircrew for : No.1 Sqn RCAF
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
Beardmore, E. W. B. Click the name above to see a profile of Beardmore, E. W. B.	Beardmore, E. W. B. Flight Officer E.W.Beardmore a Canadian of No 1 (RCAF) Squadron who was born in Berlin. Beardmore was shot down over the Thames Estuary on the 18th of September, he slightly wounded when he baled out of his Hurricane I (P3859). The Hurricane crashed at Dungeness. He was later repatriated to Canada in 1941.
Briese, E. C. Click the name above to see a profile of Briese, E. C.	Briese, E. C.
Brown, E de P. Click the name above to see a profile of Brown, E de P.	Brown, E de P.
Brown, Mark Click the name above to see a profile of Brown, Mark    Died : 12 / 11 / 1940	Brown, Mark
Chevrier, J. A. J. Click the name above to see a profile of Chevrier, J. A. J.    Died : 7 / 1942	Chevrier, J. A. J. Missing July 1942
Christmas, B. E. Click the name above to see a profile of Christmas, B. E.	Christmas, B. E. Pilot Officer B.E.Christmas was a Canadian who flew Hurricane's with No 1 (R.C.A.F.) Squadron during the Battle of Britain. He destroyed four enemy aircraft by the end of the Battle of Britain.
Corbett, V. B. Click the name above to see a profile of Corbett, V. B.    Died : 20 / 2 / 1945	Corbett, V. B. Flight Lieutenant V.B.Corbett flew with No 1 (R.C.A.F.) Squadron on the 18th of August 1940 damaged his Hurricane I (L1851) at Hornchurch during a scramble after he crashed into a fuel bowser. He baled out on the 31st of August 1940 after being shot down was shot down by Bf 109's on the 31st of August 1940 he baled out of his Hurricane I (P3869) over Gravesend but suffered burns. He later commanded No 402 Squadron (the second R.C.A.F. Squadron) and was awarded the D.F.C. on the 13th of February 1942. Corbett was killed in a flying accident on the 20th of February 1945, aged 33.
Desloges, J. P. J. Click the name above to see a profile of Desloges, J. P. J.	Desloges, J. P. J. Flight Officer J.P.J.Desloges a Canadian from No 1 (RCAF) Squadron was shot downn on the 31st of August 1940. He baled out of his stricken Hurricane I (N2530) near Gravesend and suffered severe burns. J.P.J.Desloges was killed in a flying accident in North Africa on the 8th of May 1944, aged 31.
Dibnah, R. H. Click the name above to see a profile of Dibnah, R. H.	Dibnah, R. H.
Edwards, R. L. Click the name above to see a profile of Edwards, R. L.    Died : 26 / 8 / 1940	Edwards, R. L. Flight Officer R.L.Edwards a Canadian of No 1 (RCAF) Squadron was shot down and crashed in his Hurricane I (P3874) at Little Bardfield, Essex on the 26th of August 1940. He was killed.
Fumerton, Robert Click the name above to see a profile of Fumerton, Robert    Died : 10 / 7 / 2006	Fumerton, Robert One of the finest Canadian Beaufighter and Mosquito Aces, 14 victories. Moose Fumerton flew in the Battle of Britain with 32 Sqn before joining 1 RCAF Sqn. Converting to night fighting, he flew successfully in Egypt with 89 Sqn. In June 1942 he and his radar operator Sgt L.P.S. Bing flew with the squadron detachment to Malta. Here they were rapidly to become the island's top scoring night fighter team with 9 victories, Fumerton receiving the DFC and bar, and Bing the DFC and bar and a commission. On his second tour Fumerton commanded 406 Sqn on Mosquitoes, where he claimed the last of his 14 victories. He died 10th July 2006.
Hanbury, B. A. Click the name above to see a profile of Hanbury, B. A.    Died : 27 / 3 / 1942	Hanbury, B. A. Killed March 27th 1942
Hillock, F. W. Click the name above to see a profile of Hillock, F. W.	Hillock, F. W.
Hyde, G. G. Click the name above to see a profile of Hyde, G. G.	Hyde, G. G.
Kerwin, J. W. Click the name above to see a profile of Kerwin, J. W.    Died : 16 / 7 / 1942	Kerwin, J. W. Pilot Officer John W.Kerwin a Canadian was a pre-war member of the RAF. He joined No 1 (R.C.A.F.) Squadron in August. On the 31st of August he destroyed a Do 215. On the 1st of September he destroyed another Dornier and a Bf 110. He was then shot down and he baled out of his Hurricane I (P3963) over Shipbourne at 14:25hrs, with burns. J.W.Kerwin was K.I.A. in the Aleutians on the 16th of July 1942.
Little, T. B. Click the name above to see a profile of Little, T. B.    Died : 27 / 8 / 1941	Little, T. B. Flight Officer T.B.Little a Canadian from No 1 R.C.A.F. Squadron was shot down during an attack near Tunbridge on September 11th 1940, he baled out of his Hurricane I (P3534). Little suffered leg wounds and burns. T.B.Little was on escort when he collided with a Spitfire over the Channel in his Hurricane II-b (Z5001) on the 27th of August 1941, and was posted as missing. He was aged 24.
Lochnan, P. W. Click the name above to see a profile of Lochnan, P. W.    Died : 21 / 5 / 1941	Lochnan, P. W. F/O P.W.Lochnan a Canadian from No 1 (R.C.A.F.) Squadron was unhurt when he crashed and burned in his Hurricane I (V6670) on September 11th 1940 near Romney, Kent. He'd been in combat with and was hit by return fire.
McGregor, G. R. Click the name above to see a profile of McGregor, G. R.	McGregor, G. R. Flight Lieutenant G.R.McGregor a Canadian was possibly the oldest R.C.A.F. pilot to see service. He was 38 years old when flying with No 1 (R.C.A.F.) Squadron during the Battle of Britain. He was awarded the D.F.C. on the 25th of October 1940. He commanded the Squadron from November before moving to No 2 (R.C.A.F.) /402 Squadron as Commanding Officer in January. He flew his last operational sortie as a Group Captain on March 28th 1945. Awarded the Croix de Guerre in 1947 and the Czech Military Cross. After the war he became President of Air Canada.
McNab, E. A. Click the name above to see a profile of McNab, E. A.	McNab, E. A. Squadron Leader E.A.McNab was a Canadian Commanding Officer On an exchange attachment to the R.A.F. when the war began, he then returned to Canada to take command of No 1 (R.C.A.F.) Squadron and returned to Britain with them. Occasionally McNab flew with No 111 Squadron, whilst sharing their base at Croydon to gain operational experience. Once No 1 (R.C.A.F.) Squadron was operational he shot down a further 6 planes and was awarded the D.F.C. on the 22nd of October 1940. He was also awarded the Czech Military Cross and returned to Canada following the end of combat.
Millar, W. D. MacD. Click the name above to see a profile of Millar, W. D. MacD.	Millar, W. D. MacD.
Molson, H. DeM. Click the name above to see a profile of Molson, H. DeM.	Molson, H. DeM. Flight Officer HdeM Molson a Canadian of No 1 (R.C.A.F.) Squadron injured when landing on his return from a sortie Hornchurch on August 18th 1940 and his Hurricane I (P3757) was damaged. He was shot down by fighters and baled out of his Hurricane I (P3873) over Canterbury on October 5th 1940, he suffered slight injuries. Molson returned to Canada early in 1941.
Nesbitt, A. D. Click the name above to see a profile of Nesbitt, A. D.	Nesbitt, A. D. Flight Officer A.D.Nesbitt a Canadian of No 1 (R.C.A.F.) Squadron was shot down in his Hurricane I (P3080) over Tunbridge on September 15th. He baled out wounded. Nesbitt was back in combat on the 9th of October 9th 1940, his Hurricane was badly damaged but he managed to land safely, uninjured. In March 1941 he took command of the re-numbered No 401 Squadron. He was awarded the D.F.C. on the 23rd of September 1941.
Norris, R. W. G. Click the name above to see a profile of Norris, R. W. G.	Norris, R. W. G.
Pattison, J. D. Click the name above to see a profile of Pattison, J. D.	Pattison, J. D.
Peterson, O. J. Click the name above to see a profile of Peterson, O. J.    Died : 27 / 9 / 1940	Peterson, O. J. Flight Officer O.J.Peterson of No.1 Squadron (RCAF) was killed on September 27th 1940. His Hurricane (P3647) was shot down near Kent by Ju88s and fighters. Peterson was an American who flew with the Canadian Airforce, he was 25.
Pitcher, P. B. Click the name above to see a profile of Pitcher, P. B.	Pitcher, P. B. Flight Officer Paul B.Pitcher a Canadian flew with No 1 (R.C.A.F.) Squadron during the Battle of Britain. He took commanded the Squadron from December until March. Unusually, Pitcher was discharged during the war, on November 28th 1944, as a Wing Commander.
Reyno, E. M. Click the name above to see a profile of Reyno, E. M.	Reyno, E. M. Flight Lieutenant E.M.Reyno a Canadian of No 1 (R.C.A.F.) Squadron was repatriated in late 1941 and became Chief Instructor at a Fighter O.T.U. He was awarded the A.F.C. on the 8th of June 1944.
Russel, B. D. Click the name above to see a profile of Russel, B. D.	Russel, B. D.
Smither, R. Click the name above to see a profile of Smither, R.    Died : 15 / 9 / 1940	Smither, R. Flight Officer R.Smither was killed on September 15th 1940. His Hurricane (P3876) was shot down by a Me109 in combat. He was buried in Brookwood Cemetery, aged 27.
Sprenger, W. P. Click the name above to see a profile of Sprenger, W. P.    Died : 26 / 11 / 1940	Sprenger, W. P. Flight Officer W.P.Strenger was killed on November 26th of 1940.
Trevena, C. W. Click the name above to see a profile of Trevena, C. W.	Trevena, C. W.
Yuile, A. McL. Click the name above to see a profile of Yuile, A. McL.	Yuile, A. McL. Flight Officer A.M.Yuile a Canadian joined No 115 (Auxiliary) Squadron on September 15th 1939 for flying training, he flew solo on September 23rd 1939. After joining No 1 (R.C.A.F.) Squadron he was shot down whilst in combat on September 1st 1940, he baled out of his Hurricane I (R4171) and was uninjured. On September 15th he was shot down again South of London in his Hurricane I (L1973) and wounded in the shoulder. On September 13th 1944, as a Squadron Leader, he resigned his commission and went on to complete his University degree.

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