- No. 35 Squadron Royal Air Force during the Second World War -
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No. 35 Squadron Royal Air Force
No. 35 Squadron, RFC, was first formed on 1st February 1916 at Thetford, initially to provide advanced flying training. However in 1917 the squadron went to France undertaking army cooperation duties with the cavalry, and general reconnaissance. It disbanded in 1919.In March 1929, 35 Squadron was reformed as a fighter squadron at Bircham Newton in Norfolk equipped with DH 9 A's. In October 1935 the Squadron was despatched to Sudan to reinforce the Middle East Command where they were to remain for the following 10 months before they returned to the UK. At the outbreak of WW2 in 1939 No.35 Squadron was at RAF Cranfield equipped with Fairey Battles in a training role.
Airfields at which No. 35 Squadron were based during the war:
- Cranfield Aug 1939 to Dec 1939
- Bassingbourn Dec 1939 to Feb 1940
- Upwood Feb 1940 to Apr 1940 (redesignated as 17 OTU)
- reformed at Boscombe Down Nov 1940
- Leeming Nov 1940 to Dec 1940
- Linton on Ouse Dec 1940 to Aug 1942
- Graveley Aug 1942 onwards.
December 1939 Re-equipped and relocated
12th Mar 1940 Accident
4th April 1940 Re-designated and disbanded
November 1940 Reformed
Dec 1940 Moved for Operations
12th March 1941 Ops
12th April 1941 Reformed
16th Apr 1941 Aircraft Lost
6th May 1941 Postings
7th May 1941 Squadron Reformed
12th May 1941 Bombs
15th May 1941 Death of an Airman
6th Jun 1941 Review
12th Jun 1941 Aircraft Lost
15th Jun 1941 Aircraft Lost
30th Jun 1941 Aircraft Lost
8th Jul 1941 Aircraft Lost
9th Jul 1941 35 Squadron Halifax lost
17th Jul 1941 Aircraft Lost
24th July 1941 Attack on the Scharnhorst
24th Jul 1941 Aircraft Lost
24th Jul 1941 Daylight Attack
25th Jul 1941 Aircraft Lost
12th Aug 1941 Aircraft Lost
14th Aug 1941 Aircraft Lost
24th Aug 1941 Aircraft Lost
28th Aug 1941 Aircraft Lost
2nd Sep 1941 Aircraft Lost
3rd Sep 1941 35 Squadron Halifax lost
10th Sep 1941 Aircraft Lost
15th Sep 1941 Aircraft Lost
12th Oct 1941 Aircraft Lost
7th November 1941 Aircraft Lost
8th November 1941 Polish crew make forced landing in Sweden
30th Nov 1941 Aircraft Lost
11th Dec 1941 Aircraft Lost
18th December 1941 Attack on the Scharnhorst
18th Dec 1941 Aircraft Lost
29th Dec 1941 Aircraft Lost
9th January 1942 Attack
30th Mar 1942 Aircraft Lost
31st March 1942 Second Attack on the Tirpitz
31st March 1942 Second Attack on the Tirpitz
31st March 1942 Aircraft Lost
27th April 1942 Third Attack on the Tirpitz
28th April 1942 Fourth Attack on the Tirpitz
28th April 1942 Fourth attack on the Tirpitz
28th April 1942 Fourth Attack on the Tirpitz
29th Apr 1942 Fifth attack on the Tirpitz
29th April 1942 Final attack on the Tirpitz
3rd Jun 1942 35 Squadron Halifax lost
August 1942 Designated Pathfinder Squadron
15th August 1942 Pathfinder Force formed
14th Jan 1943 Posting
4th Feb 1943 Aircraft Lost
24th May 1943 Aircraft Lost
30th May 1943 35 Squadron Halifax lost
15th Jul 1943 Aircraft Lost
24th Jul 1943 Aircraft Lost
9th Aug 1943 Bomber Command
4th Dec 1943 Aircraft Lost
29th Dec 1943 Aircraft Lost
March 1944 Lancasters arrive
28th Apr 1944 Lancaster Lost
4th May 1944 35 Squadron Lancaster lost
9th May 1945 35 Squadron Lancaster lost
26th Aug 1944 35 Squadron Lancaster lost
12th Sep 1944 35 Squadron Lancaster lost
12th Sep 1944 35 Squadron Lancaster lost
23rd Dec 1944 35 Squadron Lancaster lost
17th Aug 1945 35 Squadron Lancaster lostIf you can provide any additional information, please add it here.
Logbooks
Do you have a WW2 Flying Log Book in your possession?If so it would be a huge help if you could add logbook entries to our new database. Thank you.
View Logbook entries
Those known to have served with
No. 35 Squadron Royal Air Force
during the Second World War 1939-1945.
- Bradley DFM. David Ronald. F/Lt.
- Braybrook Bertram Stanley. Sergeant (d.1st August 1942)
- Casey R. Pilot Officer
- Cheshire VC, OM, DSO & Two Bars, DFC. Geoffrey Baron Cheshire. Gp.Capt.
- Clarke H. Sergeant
- Cleary Daniel David.
- Dopson Trevor.
- Elliot W A . Sergeant
- Elliott W A. Sergeant
- Everest DFM. Raymond George. F/O.
- Fuller Michael Charles O'Donovan. Sgt (d.October 1943/4)
- Goodson DFM. John Charles. Flt.Sgt.
- Higgins DFM/ Herbert Reginald. P/O. (d.28th June 1942 )
- Jones George Arthur.
- Kenyon Arthur Thomas. P/O. (d.24th Dec 1944)
- Macdonald. Roy . W/O
- Mackenzie Angus Carr. P/O. (d.9th Jun 1942)
- Moorhead Patrick. Flt.Lt.
- Morris Robert Thomas. Sergeant (d.1st August 1942)
- Mules Ronald Morley. Sgt. (d.9th March 1942)
- Picton Edward. LAC
- Picton Edward. LAC.
- Pithers C A C. Sergeant
- Rapere Nelson John. F/Sgt. (d.21st Jan 1944)
- Roede Ernest Alfred. Flt Sgt.
- Russell Cyril Frederick. Sgt. (d.28th April 1942)
- Spencer C C. Pilot Officer
- Steinhauer. George . Sgt
- Stone DFM. Harold. P/O. (d.24th July 1941)
- Williams Leonard. F/Sgt. (d.24th December 1944)
The names on this list have been submitted by relatives, friends, neighbours and others who wish to remember them, if you have any names to add or any recollections or photos of those listed, please Add a Name to this List
Records of No. 35 Squadron Royal Air Force from other sources.
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Want to know more about No. 35 Squadron Royal Air Force?
There are:2071 items tagged No. 35 Squadron Royal Air Force available in our Library
These include information on officers, regimental histories, letters, diary entries, personal accounts and information about actions during the Second World War.
Sergeant C A C Pithers 35 Squadron
My grandfather was a pilot in 35 Squadron: Robert Thomas Morris, born September 1912. He died as a 'tail-end-Charlie' on 1 August 1942. He was a RAF Volunteer Reserve from Eccleshall, and his grave in marked in Flushing, Netherlands. He was a member of the crew flying in Halifax II, W1100, TL-G of 35 Squadron at RAF Linton-on-Ouse.They were on a raid to Dusseldorf and were hit by flak over the target but managed to get as far as Holland before crashing near Serooskerke (Zeeland), on Schouwen. Two of the crew, my grandfather and Sgt B S Braybrook RAAF, were killed and the rest were taken prisoner.
Does anyone have any information, and even a picture of him?
The full crew was
Sgt Bertram Stanley Braybrook RAAF 403470. KIA, age 22 (Vlissingen Northern Cemetery) Sgt R.T. Morris, RAF VR 1230755. KIA, age 29 (Vlissingen Northern Cemetery) P/O R. Casey was interned in Camps 8B/344/L3. POW No.25114 with P/O C.C. Spencer, POW No.25120. Sgt H. Clarke in Camps 8B/344, POW No.25118 with Sgt W.A. Elliott, POW No.25116 and Sgt C.A.C. Pithers, POW No.25117. Cat Turner
Sergeant W A Elliott 35 Squadron
My grandfather was a pilot in 35 Squadron: Robert Thomas Morris, born September 1912. He died as a 'tail-end-Charlie' on 1 August 1942. He was a RAF Volunteer Reserve from Eccleshall, and his grave in marked in Flushing, Netherlands. He was a member of the crew flying in Halifax II, W1100, TL-G of 35 Squadron at RAF Linton-on-Ouse.They were on a raid to Dusseldorf and were hit by flak over the target but managed to get as far as Holland before crashing near Serooskerke (Zeeland), on Schouwen. Two of the crew, my grandfather and Sgt B S Braybrook RAAF, were killed and the rest were taken prisoner.
Does anyone have any information, and even a picture of him?
The full crew was
Sgt Bertram Stanley Braybrook RAAF 403470. KIA, age 22 (Vlissingen Northern Cemetery) Sgt R.T. Morris, RAF VR 1230755. KIA, age 29 (Vlissingen Northern Cemetery) P/O R. Casey was interned in Camps 8B/344/L3. POW No.25114 with P/O C.C. Spencer, POW No.25120. Sgt H. Clarke in Camps 8B/344, POW No.25118 with Sgt W.A. Elliott, POW No.25116 and Sgt C.A.C. Pithers, POW No.25117. Cat Turner
Sergeant H Clarke 35 Squadron
My grandfather was a pilot in 35 Squadron: Robert Thomas Morris, born September 1912. He died as a 'tail-end-Charlie' on 1 August 1942. He was a RAF Volunteer Reserve from Eccleshall, and his grave in marked in Flushing, Netherlands. He was a member of the crew flying in Halifax II, W1100, TL-G of 35 Squadron at RAF Linton-on-Ouse.They were on a raid to Dusseldorf and were hit by flak over the target but managed to get as far as Holland before crashing near Serooskerke (Zeeland), on Schouwen. Two of the crew, my grandfather and Sgt B S Braybrook RAAF, were killed and the rest were taken prisoner.
Does anyone have any information, and even a picture of him?
The full crew was
Sgt Bertram Stanley Braybrook RAAF 403470. KIA, age 22 (Vlissingen Northern Cemetery) Sgt R.T. Morris, RAF VR 1230755. KIA, age 29 (Vlissingen Northern Cemetery) P/O R. Casey was interned in Camps 8B/344/L3. POW No.25114 with P/O C.C. Spencer, POW No.25120. Sgt H. Clarke in Camps 8B/344, POW No.25118 with Sgt W.A. Elliott, POW No.25116 and Sgt C.A.C. Pithers, POW No.25117. Cat Turner
Pilot Officer R Casey 35 Squadron
My grandfather was a pilot in 35 Squadron: Robert Thomas Morris, born September 1912. He died as a 'tail-end-Charlie' on 1 August 1942. He was a RAF Volunteer Reserve from Eccleshall, and his grave in marked in Flushing, Netherlands. He was a member of the crew flying in Halifax II, W1100, TL-G of 35 Squadron at RAF Linton-on-Ouse.They were on a raid to Dusseldorf and were hit by flak over the target but managed to get as far as Holland before crashing near Serooskerke (Zeeland), on Schouwen. Two of the crew, my grandfather and Sgt B S Braybrook RAAF, were killed and the rest were taken prisoner.
Does anyone have any information, and even a picture of him?
The full crew was
Sgt Bertram Stanley Braybrook RAAF 403470. KIA, age 22 (Vlissingen Northern Cemetery) Sgt R.T. Morris, RAF VR 1230755. KIA, age 29 (Vlissingen Northern Cemetery) P/O R. Casey was interned in Camps 8B/344/L3. POW No.25114 with P/O C.C. Spencer, POW No.25120. Sgt H. Clarke in Camps 8B/344, POW No.25118 with Sgt W.A. Elliott, POW No.25116 and Sgt C.A.C. Pithers, POW No.25117. Cat Turner
Pilot Officer C C Spencer 35 Squadron
My grandfather was a pilot in 35 Squadron: Robert Thomas Morris, born September 1912. He died as a 'tail-end-Charlie' on 1 August 1942. He was a RAF Volunteer Reserve from Eccleshall, and his grave in marked in Flushing, Netherlands. He was a member of the crew flying in Halifax II, W1100, TL-G of 35 Squadron at RAF Linton-on-Ouse.They were on a raid to Dusseldorf and were hit by flak over the target but managed to get as far as Holland before crashing near Serooskerke (Zeeland), on Schouwen. Two of the crew, my grandfather and Sgt B S Braybrook RAAF, were killed and the rest were taken prisoner.
Does anyone have any information, and even a picture of him?
The full crew was
Sgt Bertram Stanley Braybrook RAAF 403470. KIA, age 22 (Vlissingen Northern Cemetery) Sgt R.T. Morris, RAF VR 1230755. KIA, age 29 (Vlissingen Northern Cemetery) P/O R. Casey was interned in Camps 8B/344/L3. POW No.25114 with P/O C.C. Spencer, POW No.25120. Sgt H. Clarke in Camps 8B/344, POW No.25118 with Sgt W.A. Elliott, POW No.25116 and Sgt C.A.C. Pithers, POW No.25117. Cat Turner
Sergeant W A Elliot 35 Squadron
My grandfather was a pilot in 35 Squadron: Robert Thomas Morris, born September 1912. He died as a 'tail-end-Charlie' on 1 August 1942. He was a RAF Volunteer Reserve from Eccleshall, and his grave in marked in Flushing, Netherlands. He was a member of the crew flying in Halifax II, W1100, TL-G of 35 Squadron at RAF Linton-on-Ouse.They were on a raid to Dusseldorf and were hit by flak over the target but managed to get as far as Holland before crashing near Serooskerke (Zeeland), on Schouwen. Two of the crew, my grandfather and Sgt B S Braybrook RAAF, were killed and the rest were taken prisoner.
Does anyone have any information, and even a picture of him?
The full crew was
P/O C.C. Spencer POW Sgt C.A.C. Pithers POW P/O R. Casey POW Sgt W.A. Elliott POW Sgt H. Clarke POW Sgt Bertram Stanley Braybrook RAAF 403470. KIA, age 22 (Vlissingen Northern Cemetery) Sgt R.T. Morris, RAF VR 1230755. KIA, age 29 (Vlissingen Northern Cemetery) P/O R. Casey was interned in Camps 8B/344/L3. POW No.25114 with P/O C.C. Spencer, POW No.25120. Sgt H. Clarke in Camps 8B/344, POW No.25118 with Sgt W.A. Elliott, POW No.25116 and Sgt C.A.C. Pithers, POW No.25117. Cat Turner
Sergeant Bertram Stanley Braybrook 35 Squadron (d.1st August 1942)
My grandfather was a pilot in 35 Squadron: Robert Thomas Morris, born September 1912. He died as a 'tail-end-Charlie' on 1 August 1942. He was a RAF Volunteer Reserve from Eccleshall, and his grave in marked in Flushing, Netherlands. He was a member of the crew flying in Halifax II, W1100, TL-G of 35 Squadron at RAF Linton-on-Ouse.They were on a raid to Dusseldorf and were hit by flak over the target but managed to get as far as Holland before crashing near Serooskerke (Zeeland), on Schouwen. Two of the crew, my grandfather and Sgt B S Braybrook RAAF, were killed and the rest were taken prisoner.
Does anyone have any information, and even a picture of him?
The full crew was
P/O C.C. Spencer POW Sgt C.A.C. Pithers POW P/O R. Casey POW Sgt W.A. Elliott POW Sgt H. Clarke POW Sgt Bertram Stanley Braybrook RAAF 403470. KIA, age 22 (Vlissingen Northern Cemetery) Sgt R.T. Morris, RAF VR 1230755. KIA, age 29 (Vlissingen Northern Cemetery) P/O R. Casey was interned in Camps 8B/344/L3. POW No.25114 with P/O C.C. Spencer, POW No.25120. Sgt H. Clarke in Camps 8B/344, POW No.25118 with Sgt W.A. Elliott, POW No.25116 and Sgt C.A.C. Pithers, POW No.25117. Cat Turner
Sergeant Robert Thomas Morris 35 Squadron (d.1st August 1942)
My grandfather was a pilot in 35 Squadron: Robert Thomas Morris, born September 1912. He died as a 'tail-end-Charlie' on 1 August 1942. He was a RAF Volunteer Reserve from Eccleshall, and his grave in marked in Flushing, Netherlands. He was a member of the crew flying in Halifax II, W1100, TL-G of 35 Squadron at RAF Linton-on-Ouse.They were on a raid to Dusseldorf and were hit by flak over the target but managed to get as far as Holland before crashing near Serooskerke (Zeeland), on Schouwen. Two of the crew, my grandfather and Sgt B S Braybrook RAAF, were killed and the rest were taken prisoner.
Does anyone have any information, and even a picture of him?
The full crew was
P/O C.C.Spencer POW Sgt C.A.C.Pithers POW P/O R.Casey POW Sgt W.A.Elliott POW Sgt H.Clarke POW Sgt Bertram Stanley Braybrook RAAF 403470. KIA, age 22 (Vlissingen Northern Cemetery) Sgt R.T.Morris, RAF VR 1230755. KIA, age 29 (Vlissingen Northern Cemetery) P/O R.Casey was interned in Camps 8B/344/L3. POW No.25114 with P/O C.C.Spencer, POW No.25120. Sgt H.Clarke in Camps 8B/344, POW No.25118 with Sgt W.A.Elliott, POW No.25116 and Sgt C.A.C.Pithers, POW No.25117. Cat Turner
Trevor Dopson 35 Squadron
Both my mother Hilda Dopson, née Laws, and father Trevor Dopson served at RAF Linton on Ouse and were married in uniform in 1941 (I have the photo). We have just found a electro-silver plated drinking tankard that was given to my father who worked in the officers mess. The person the tankard belonged to told him that if he didn't come back he had to have it. The initials on the tankard are G A, we were wondering does anyone know who G A was?Keith Dopson
LAC. Edward Picton 35 Squadron
The following was done for me by a researcher. Dad died in 1998.The Royal Air Force Career of Ted Picton
Basic Training. Ted Picton joined the Royal Air Force at the age of nineteen as an Aircraftsman 2nd Class on the 9th of May 1940, in the second year of World War 2. He reported to the No 2 School of Recruits Training at RAF Cardington, in Bedfordshire, for initial training and assessment. RAF Cardington was originally an Airship base, then one of the main centres for barrage balloons. RAF Cardington had become the largest recruitment training camp in the country and struggled to cope with the numbers of new trainees arriving each week (more than 200,000 passed through the gates). Ted would have been part of a Flight of twenty-four trainees, and with fourteen Flights per intake there were over 2,000 arrivals every two months. Accommodation proved inadequate and four tented camps were erected on the site, although Ted might have been in one of the newly-built wooden huts, close to the old gasworks. An account of the time describes RAF Cardington as having a happy and homely atmosphere that permeated the whole place - a picture of neatness. Inside the huts the trainee's equipment was stacked neatly on beds in readiness for the regular inspections.
A typical basic training Flight at RAF Cardington, 1940. The first of the induction formalities was the Swearing In to become legally bound by the Air Force Act and allegiance to the Crown. This made one legally bound by the Air Force Act and each airman received a service number. Each Airman received an Identity Card RAF Form 1250 and Identity Discs, called Dog Tags, to be carried at all times. They were then issued with uniform and kit including items such as a shaving brush, button stick (for polishing brass buttons), cleaning brushes, knife, fork, spoon, mug, kit bag, and mess tin. The webbing belt and harness to support a haversack and gas mask, water bottle and bayonet all had to be scrubbed and painted with a grey paste called Blanco. The eight week basic training course, (reduced from twelve weeks) included learning military drill, daily physical training to improve fitness, and attending classroom lessons on the history of the Royal Air Force, the dangers of working with aircraft, as well as how to shoot a Lee-Enfield 303 rifle
After basic training Ted would have travelled by train to No. 9 School of Technical Training, Morecambe. As there was almost no accommodation at RAF Morecambe, the airmen were given accommodation in private houses known as billets, private houses where the occupants with space to spare were required by law to accommodate Service Personnel. Compulsory billeting is only authorised by Parliament in wartime. For some, this meant the relative luxury of a home from home. The Battle of Britain took place between July and October 1940, so Ted would have become used to regular air-raid drills and actual attacks by the Luftwaffe on RAF bases. The technical training at Morecambe took place in various commandeered large garages and factories. Tuition was by lectures and practical work amongst a collection of aircraft parts, workbenches in large classrooms. Ted had been a mechanic before joining the RAF so would have taken to the practical work. After training he became a qualified Flight Mechanic Engines (FME) and was promoted to Aircraftsman 1st Class. He would have then been allowed to return home to Walthamstow for Christmas 1940 in uniform, carrying his posting instructions for his new operational squadron.
Service with 35 Squadron. Aircraftsman Picton reported to 35 Squadron, at RAF Linton-on-Ouse in Yorkshire, on the 31st of January 1941. The first Handley Page Halifax squadron, it had been reformed in November 1940. The Handley Page Halifax had four Rolls-Royce Merlin engines (see YouTube Video of one being ground run), so there was plenty of work for Ted and he would have been there to support 35 Squadrons first operational raid was against Le Havre on the night of 10th/11th of March 1941.
Service with 24 Squadron. On the 11th of October 1941, Aircraftsman Picton transferred to No. 24 Squadron, based at RAF Uxbridge. Operating civilian aircraft which were impressed for wartime service, the squadron was used to evacuate British troops from France and operated courier flights to Gibraltar, as well as ambulance flights and VIP transports, including Sir Winston Churchill's personal aircraft.
Service at RAF Uxbridge. In January 1942 Ted reported for duty at RAF Uxbridge, where he would have been working on the Airspeed AS5 Courier, a fast, six-seat single-engine light aircraft, nine of which were pressed into war service.
Service with the Armed Forces Experimental Establishment (AFEE) On the 31st of October 1942 Ted was selected for special duties at the AFEE at Sherburn in Elvet, near Selby in North Yorkshire, working on the British glider development project. Among the gliders developed were the Airspeed Horsa (pictured), which could carry twenty-eight men, and the 7-ton capacity General Aircraft Hamilcar cargo glider. The Hamilcar could carry vehicles, anti-tank guns and light tanks into action. The General Aircraft Hotspur, originally planned as a compact assault glider carrying a small number of troops was also used for training the British Army pilots who formed the Glider Pilot Regiment.
On the last day of December, 1942, Ted was promoted to Leading Aircraftsman (LAC) having achieved a score of 80% in his examinations. On the 23rd of February 1943 he moved with the AFEE to RAF Hartford Bridge, and also worked at RAF Church Fenton near Tadcaster, North Yorkshire. On the 19th of August 1943 Aircraftsman Ted Picton was awarded the Royal Air Force Good Conduct badge for completion of three years service. Worn on the jacket sleeve, further badges could be awarded. On the 28th of August 1944 Ted joined 77 Squadron at RAF Elvington in Yorkshire which along with RAF Melbourne and RAF Pocklington was known as No 42 Base. The squadron had a strength of approximately twenty aircraft. He worked as an engine fitter on the Handley Page Halifax heavy bomber (pictured) which he had worked on with 35 Squadron. No 77 Squadron suffered heavy losses during its time at Elvington with over 500 aircrew killed, missing or taken prisoner and almost 80 Halifaxes lost as it played a major part in the Battle of the Ruhr and the bombing of Berlin.
Final service and Discharge. Ted's final posting was RAF Lyneham, where he arrived on the 21st of January 1946 to return to prestige VIP flight support. He was discharged to the RAF Reserve on the 25th of May 1946, and remained in the reserve forces until the 30th of June 1959.
Rob Picton
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