207 Squadron RAF Association - Squadron Genealogy


August 1915	Two additional RNAS wings, Nos.4 and 5, each equipped for bombing and fighting, were formed at Petit Synthe and Coudekerque, respectively. No.4 Wing had been formed from No.4 Squadron at Eastchurch in August 1915 and it crossed to Petit Synthe in April 1916 under the command of Squadron Commander C L Courtney. Additional pilots were posted in during May and by the middle of June the Wing comprised two squadrons, Nos.1 and 2, equipped with Nieuports, BE 2cs and Caudron twins. In July the names were changed to A and B Squadrons.
1 November 1916	No.4 Wing regrouped its aircraft into two squadrons according to role. 'A' Squadron became No.6 Squadron equipped solely for aerial fighting and 'B' Squadron became No.7 Squadron, equipped solely for bombing. No.7 Squadron was sub-divided into two Flights by aircraft types, one being equipped with Caudron twins (soon replaced with Sopwith 1½ Strutters) and the other (uniquely in the RNAS) with Short Bombers.
28 July 1917	A flight of 8 aircraft was removed to the other side of Coudekerke airfield to form No.7A Squadron. A detachment went to Redcar, then Manston, to become 'A' Squadron RNAS. It continued, however, to be controlled by No.7 Squadron until December 1917, when it was renumbered No.14 Squadron RNAS (later No.214 Squadron RAF) and became an independent unit. Another link is that 207 and 214 Sqns flew Valiants at Marham. 214 Sqn Association
8 Jan 1918	'A' Squadron RNAS was the nucleus of No.16 Sqn RNAS which formed at Ochey, which on 1 April 1918 became 216 Squadron RAF.
1 April 1918	7 Sqn RNAS becomes 207 Sqn RAF: 20 January 1920 207 Sqn disbands at Uxbridge.
1 February 1920	207 Sqn re-forms at Bircham Newton as a cadre, from a nucleus from No.274 Sqn
May 1936	Edward VIII approved 207 Squadron's badge of a winged lion statant, designed by JD Heaton, Chester Herald and Inspector of Royal Air Force Badges. It reached 207 on deployment at Gebeit in the Sudan and was presented at a Station Parade on 16 June 1936 by Gp Capt Raymond Collishaw.
19 April 1940	207 Sqn merges into 12 OTU at RAF Benson
1 November 1940	207 Sqn re-forms at RAF Waddington: disbands 1 March 1950
23 February 1941	No 97 Squadron reformed from a nucleus supplied by No 207 Squadron at Waddington with Manchesters and flew these on its first operation on 8 April. Mechanical problems with Manchesters restricted their use and some Hampdens were used to bridge the gaps in operational strength but in January 1942, Lancasters began to arrive. This type was flown by 97 Squadron for the rest of the war, at first with the main force and from April 1943 as a unit of the Pathfinder Force for a year. It remained in being as part of the post-war Bomber Command and re-equipped with Lincolns in July 1946, which it continued to fly until disbanded on 31 December 1955, its personnel being re-designated Arrow Squadron. 97 Squadron Association
4 June 1951	207 Sqn re-forms at Marham: disbands 27 March 1956
1 April 1956	207 Sqn re-forms at Marham: disbands 1 May 1965
3 February 1969	1 January 1969 the Southern Communication Squadron based at Bovingdon is renamed Strike Command Communications Squadron and on 27 January 1969 moves to Northolt. On 3 February 1969 207 Sqn is reformed at Northolt by redesignation of Strike Command Communications Squadron: disbands 30 June 1984: Standard laid up in Leicester Cathedral 1984.
12 July 2002	No.2 Flying Training Squadron No.1 Flying Training School, RAF Linton-on-Ouse is awarded the 207 number plate as No.207 (Reserve) Squadron.
25 Nov 2003	HRH Prince Andrew presents No.207R Squadron with its new Standard in a ceremony at RAF Linton on Ouse, to replace that laid up in Leicester Cathedral in 1984, where it must remain 'until dust'.