No. 41 Squadron Association
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Association blog

41 Squadron Between the World Wars

16/7/2022

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While going through old e-mails, I recalled that Alistair McFarland gave me editing rights to the Association website’s blog back in August 2016, and was pleasantly surprised to find they are still valid.
 
Consequently, as there haven’t been any Blog posts for some time, I thought I might provide some material from my current research into 41 Squadron’s interwar pilots. I hope you find them of interest.
 
Regards
Steve Brew
 
SOME FASCINATING FACTS AND STATISTICS
 
There were 199 pilots on 41 Squadron between April 1923 and August 1939, and my research has allowed me to compile some fascinating demographic and other statistical data. For example, I have established that:

  • 155 (78%) were officers & 44 (22%) were NCOs.
 
  • Of the 155 officers, 107 (69%) entered on Short Service Commissions, 45 (29%) on Permanent Commissions, and 3 (2%) via the RAFO.
 
  • 25 (13%) officers were RAF College graduates, of whom two were awarded the Sword of Honour.
 
  • 23 officers attended RAF Staff College.
 
  • 24 (12%) were promoted to Air ranks, including 11 Air Commodores, 9 Air Vice-Marshals, 2 Air Marshals, and 2 Air Chief-Marshals.
 
  • 5 officers were Knighted.
 
  • Of the 44 NCOs, 24 (55%) were initially apprentices, 18 (41%) were direct entry, and two are currently unknown.
 
  • 50 (25%) of the pilots fought in WWI, 152 (76%) fought in WWII, 37 (19%) in both World Wars, 30 (15%) in neither, and 6 in North or South Russia in 1919; four served in the ATA during WWII, and four are currently unknown.
 
  • 160 (80%) of the men were from the United Kingdom, 11 (5.5%) from Éire, 9 (4.5%) each from Canada & New Zealand, 5 (2.5%) from South Africa, one from Australia, and four are currently of unknown origin.
 
  • Citizenship aside, their countries of birth reflect the far reaches of the British Empire: only 124 (62%) were born in England, 10 in Éire, 9 in each Canada & New Zealand, 8 in each Scotland and Wales, 7 each in India and South Africa, and one in each Australia, Ceylon, China, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Italy, Jamaica, Kenya, Paraguay, Russia, Singapore and Spain; five countries of birth are currently unknown.
 
  • Only 65% of the pilots died of natural causes. Tragically, 45 (23% - almost a quarter of them) were killed in military or civil flying accidents, 12 (6%) were killed in action, 6 died of illness, two in motor vehicle accidents, one on active service; three are currently unknown.
 
  • 18 men became test pilots.
 
  • 4 men were court martialed and dismissed from the service, one directly from 41 Sqn.
 
  • 3 men were involved in pre-WWII helicopter (‘autgiro’) development.
 
  • 1 man was kidnapped as a child (and safely returned!)
 
And finally, to close out the list, 41 Squadron’s first post-WWI Adjutant was the only man to hold the position who was not a pilot. Having been wounded on the Western Front in May 1916, his left arm was amputated at the shoulder, and he was fitted with a prosthesis and hook. He joined the RFC in April 1917, served with the RAF throughout WWII, rose to the rank of Wing Commander, and retired in 1954.
 
I don’t know to what extent 41 Squadron’s statistics reflect those of other RAF squadrons during the period – I am not sure such figures even exist – but the data provides a fascinating insight into the men of the era, and the legacy inherited by today’s 41 Squadron.

[Below image: 
 41 Squadron Armstrong-Whitworth Siskin IIIa being serviced with oxygen at Northolt, no date but ca late 1920s (public domain)]
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30th Anniversary of Op Granby

17/1/2021

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Today marks the 30th anniversary of the first British air strikes carried out by RAF Tornados against the Iraqi Air Force as part of the US led Multi-national Coalition’s actions to liberate Kuwait following the Iraqi invasion on 2nd August 1990.

The conflict saw the largest use of British troops in a single deployment since World War 2.

Early on the 17th January 1991, RAF Tornados with Air-to-Air refuelling support, carried out the first British air strikes on Iraqi air bases, Bunkers and Ground to Air Defences.

#OpGranby #OpDesertStorm #DesertStorm30

Read more: https://bit.ly/2LRbcRl
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New Year Honours List

31/12/2020

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Notable former 41 Squadron personnel:


OBE: Wing Commander J.J. MCMEEKING

MBE: Flight Lieutenant J.A. PETERSON


Full list at the link below:

RAF Website
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RAF Coningsby supporting deployed personnel.

24/12/2020

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Like every other RAF station, we currently have personnel deployed around the world. We have a special message for you at this time of year. pic.twitter.com/SrHWhvpnX3

— RAF Coningsby (@RAFConingsby) December 16, 2020
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RAF Music Christmas Brass Quintet

24/12/2020

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As part of the @RAFAssociation #ProjectENTERTAIN join the Brass Quintet of the #CentralBand ???of the @RoyalAirForce ✈️ on #ChristmasEve ?? at 10:30am for a #ChristmasCarolService ?#WeWishYouAMerryChristmas #RAFMusic #MerryChristmas https://t.co/XqJz0sjYy1… pic.twitter.com/m0msb8l9ib

— RAF Music (@RAFMusic) December 23, 2020
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RAFA Operation Connect

24/12/2020

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United, we will support the most vulnerable in our RAF community.
We are living in unprecedented times – globally, as a nation, and for every one of us as we deal with the effects of the ongoing COVID-19 crisis in our own lives.
As a charity, we are facing a £10 million impact on our finances this year. But at the same time, we are acutely conscious that many RAF veterans and their loved ones are particularly vulnerable during these difficult times.
Members of our RAF community are struggling and we cannot stand by.
We are working tirelessly to mobilise volunteers to deliver four emergency projects to combat the issues we are finding daily.
Our new Operation CONNECT unites the following:
  • Project OUTREACH – A telephone outreach service – contacting vulnerable individuals by telephone to check on their welfare, offer them ongoing telephone friendship from a regular volunteer and alert them to other support services
  • Project HELPLINE – A friendship helpline (0800 018 2361) – for anyone in our RAF community to call if they are feeling isolated, are in need of more specific support or simply want a chat with someone friendly who understands.
  • Project BAG DROP – A bag drop service providing vital provisions to the doorsteps of the most vulnerable members of our RAF community when their need is critical and desperate.
  • Project ENTERTAIN – A daily online entertainment programme giving much-needed routine and happiness for anyone who is isolated.
Our new projects are up and running and we are seeing an increasing level of demand every day. We are finding truly desperate levels of isolation, loneliness and need.
More and more people need our support as the impact of the COVID-19 crisis grows.
RAFA Link
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Christmas message from the Defence Secretary

24/12/2020

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In his Christmas message, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace reflects on what it's like to serve overseas at this time of year. He has thanked the entire Armed Forces community for their hard work throughout the festive season.@BWallaceMP @ForcesNews pic.twitter.com/CFn7shpFbf

— Ministry of Defence ?? (@DefenceHQ) December 23, 2020
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Christmas message from the Chief of the Air Staff

24/12/2020

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The @ChiefofAirStaff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Mike Wigston, Chief of the Air Staff's Warrant Officer, Mr @JakeAlpertRAF and Director of Resources, Mr Stephen Lock reflect on an extraordinary year and wish the Whole Force a #MerryChristmas. pic.twitter.com/pEZujfjuyp

— Royal Air Force (@RoyalAirForce) December 10, 2020
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Obituary: Gp Capt Derek S V Rake OBE AFC and Bar

11/12/2020

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Reposted from Steve Brew’s ‘The Pilots of 41 Squadron RAF, 1916-1946 (Link)

Ladies and gents, it is with great sadness that I advise that one of our remaining WWII veterans, Gp Capt Derek S. V. Rake OBE AFC and Bar passed away this morning, aged 98.
Derek led a fascinating RAF career, which spanned from 1941 to 1976. Shot down and wounded over Yugoslavia in 1944, he was found by partisans, who tended his wounds and returned him to Allied lines.
He was repatriated to the UK and from there was posted to 41 Squadron on the Continent in March 1945. Derek then advanced with 41 Sqn into Germany, and ultimately claimed 41 Squadron's 200th and last victory of the war.
He remained in the RAF, subsequently serving in India and Burma, and was then sent to Hong Kong, where he formed the Royal Hong Kong Air Force. When Derek returned home, he retrained on jet aircraft and was ultimately employed throughout the cold war in ELINT and reconnaissance both with the Air Ministry and in the air, undertaking a significant number of secret ops over the former Eastern Bloc, flying Canberras as a Flight Commander with 88 (Night Intruder) Sqn and as OC, 192 (ELINT) Sqn, for which he was awarded an AFC.
Derek was born in Alderholt, Dorset, 26 May 1922, and was educated in Wimbourne Grammar, Dorset, and Southampton University College. He joined Southampton University Air Squadron and enlisted in the RAFVR in April 1941. Commissioned in June 1942, he was posted to 32 Sqn in August 1942 and to 41 Sqn in March 1945. He retired as Group Captain on 26 March 1976.
Derek provided me a significant amount of first hand material and photographs for "Blood, Sweat and Valour", and gave a truly memorable talk in a mock interview he and I held between courses at a 41 Squadron’ 95th Anniversary dining in night at RAF Coningsby, for 41 Squadron's in 2011. He had the room spellbound and you could have heard a pin drop.
He was a lovely and a good friend, and Jacqui and I have had the pleasure of knowing him personally.
May he rest in peace.
Steve
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Operational Honours List Nov 2020

27/11/2020

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Men and Woman of the Royal Air Force have been recognised for their public service in the Armed Forces Operational Honours List, November 2020.

Full list: https://bit.ly/OpHonsNov2020
Full List
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