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No. 4 Squadron Standard
A Further Brief History of No 4 Squadron
No. 4 Squadron was formed in September 1912 at Farnborough and was under the command of Major G.H.
Raleigh. In the days prior to the First World War it was engaged in experimental roles, principally
those of night landings, aerial photography and wireless aids. Within a fortnight of the outbreak of
war, however, the Squadron was moved to France, there to participate in some of the early aerial
combats. It was during the first month of hostilities that two pilots of the Squadron, Lieutenants
Mapplebeck and Atkinson, recorded the first forcing-down and capture of an enemy aircraft. After
gaining Battle Honours in most of the historic struggles during the course of the war, the Squadron
in 1919 was reduced to a cadre basis. Within a year, however, it was once more at full strength and
was to serve in many regions of the world during the inter-war years. It was during this time that
pilots established a precedent, when they became the first land-based crews to take-off from an
aircraft-carrier.
The early days of the Second World War were spent by the Squadron in photographic reconnaissance
and in employing delaying tactics against enemy forces in France. On the return to England many of
the personnel embarked at Dunkirk, whilst the aircraft, the last of the Lysander squadrons to leave,
flew out from a nearby airfield. Once in England the major tasks were defensive patrols and then
later, as the re-equipment with Mustangs progressed, pre-invasion reconnaissance. Gradually
the offensive role was expanded until 1943 it became part of the newly-formed 2nd Tactical Air Force.
The remaining days of the war were devoted to high and low photographic reconnaissance. Once again
numerous Battle Honours, including those of Normandy, Arnhem and the Rhine, were awarded.
The cessation of hostilities saw the introduction of the British Forces of Occupation and No. 4
Squadron immediately became an integral part of this Command. Since then the Squadron has served
continuously at various airfields in Germany. No matter where it has served No. 4 Squadron can
claim that it has upheld the traditions of the Royal Air Force throughout the 41 years of its
unbroken existence.
Squadron Battle Honours
1st WORLD WAR 1914 - 1918
Western Front 1914-1918.
Mons.
Neuve Chapelle.
Somme 1916.
Ypres 1917.
Lys.
Somme 1918.
2nd WORLD WAR 1939-1945
France and Low Countries 1939-1940.
Fortress Europe 1942-1945.
France and Germany 1944-1945.
Normandy 1944.
Arnhem.
Rhine.
COMMANDING OFFICERS NO 4 SQUADRON
Major G. H. Raleigh Sept. 1912 - Jan. 1915
Major H. R. P. Reynolds Jan. 1915 - Jan. 1915
Major C A. H. Longcroft Jan. 1915 - Aug. 1915
Major F. F. Waldron Aug. 1915 - Sept. 1915
Major G. E. Todd Sept. 1915 - Feb. 1916
Major V. A. Barrington-Kennett Feb. 1916 - Mar. 1916
Major T. W. C. Carthew D.S.O. Mar. 1916 - Sept. 1916
Major L. Jenkins D.F.C. Sept. 1916 - Nov. 1917
Major R. E. Saul D.F.C. Nov. 1917 - Jan. 1919
Major H. B. Prior Jan. 1919 - Feb. 1919
Sqn. Ldr. C. H. B. Blount O.B.E., M.C. April 1920 - April 1925
Sqn. Ldr. J.C. Slessor M.C. April 1925 - Nov. 1928
Sqn. Ldr. N. H. Bottomley Nov.1928 - Dec 1929
Sqn. Ldr. C. F. H. Medhurst O.B.E., M.C. Jan. 1930 - Jan. 1931
Sqn. Ldr. S. P. Simpson M.C. Jan. 1931 - Oct. 1933
Sqn. Ldr. F. M. F. West V.C., M.C. Oct. 1933 - Sept. 1935
Sqn. Ldr. Kingston McLoughry D.S.O., M.C. Jan. 1936 - May 1937
Sqn. Ldr. I. O. B. McGregor Jan. 1938 - Aug. 1939
Sqn. Ldr. G. P. Charles O.B.E. Aug. 1939 - Sept. 1940
Sqn. Ldr. P. L. Donkin Sept. 1940 - Sept. 1940
Sqn. Ldr. Maffet Oct. 1940 - Dec. 1940
Wg. Cdr. P. H. R. Saunders Dec. 1940 - Feb. 1941
Wg. Cdr. G. P. Charles O.B.E. Feb. 1941 - Jun. 1941
Wg. Cdr. P. H. R. Saunders Jun. 1941 - Oct. 1942
Wg. Cdr. G. E. Mac Donald Oct. 1942 - Mar. 1943
Sqn. Ldr. R. H. D. Rigall Mar. 1943 - Apr. 1943
Wg. Cdr. R. Noel-Smith 28 Apr. 1943 - 11Nov. 1943
Flt. Lt. A. S. Baker Dec. 1943 - Dec. 1943
Sqn. Ldr. R. J. Hardiman Dec. 1943 - May 1944
Sqn. Ldr. W. Shepherd May 1944 - May 1945
Sqn. Ldr. Harris St. John May 1945 - Sept. 1945
Wg. Cdr. M. P. C. Corkery Sept.1945 - May 1946
Wg. Cdr. R. L. Jones May 1946 - Nov. 1947
Sqn. Ldr. B. Everton-Jones Nov. 1947 - Sept. 1949
Sqn. Ldr. C. P. N. Newman Sept. 1949 - Feb. 1951
Sqn. Ldr. P. G. K. Williamson D.F.C. Feb. 1951 - Aug. 1953
Sqn. Ldr. P. W. Gilpin D.F.C. Aug. 1953 -
LOCATIONS
Farnborough England Sep 1912 Raised
Netheravon England Jun 1913
Eastchurch England Jul 1914 Home Defence
B.E.F. France France Aug 1914 to Feb 1919
Portuguese Portugal 1917 4a formed with Portuguese
Northolt England Feb 1919
Farnborough England Apr 1920 to Sep 1922
Ireland Ireland Sep 1920 to Jan 1922 'A' Flight
Gallipoli Peninsular Turkey Sep 1922 to Sep 1923
Farnborough England Oct 1923 to Feb 1927
Squadron Badge approved by H.M. The King May 1936
Odiham England Feb 1937 to Sep 1939
B.E.F. France France Sep 1939 to May 1940
Mons en Chaussee France Sep 1939
Monchy Lagache France Oct 1939
Lille, St Omer, Dunkirk France May 1940
Ringway England May 1940
Linton England Jun 1940
York England Aug 1940
Bottisham England Mar 1943
Gravesend England Jul 1943
Odiham England Aug 1943
Sawbridgeworth England Nov 1943
Aston Down England Dec 1943
Sawbridgeworth England Feb 1944
Normandy France Jun 1944
Ben sur Mer France Aug 1944
Fresney Folny, Fort Rouge, St Denis France Sep 1944
Gilze Rijen Netherlands Dec 1944
Twente, Enschede Netherlands May 1945
Celle Germany May 1945
Gutersloh Germany 1946
Wahn, Celle Germany Jan 1950
Wunstorf Germany Jul 1950
Jever Germany Mar 1952
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