No. 46 SQUADRON LOCATIONS
Location Assignment Dates
RAF Wyton Apr 1916–Oct 1916
Boisdinghem May 1917–May 1917
La Gorgue May 1917–Jul 1917
Bruay Jul 1917–Jul 1917
Sutton's Farm Jul 1917–Aug 1917
Ste Marie Cappel Aug 1917–Sep 1917
(Izel) Le Hameau Sep 1917–May 1918
Liettres May 1918–Jun 1918
Serny Jun 1918–Aug 1918
Poulainville Aug 1918–Sep 1918
Cappy Sep 1918–Oct 1918
Athies Oct 1918–Oct 1918
Busigny Oct 1918–Nov 1918
Baizieux Nov 1918–Feb 1919
Rendcomb Feb 1919–Feb 1919 (disbanded)
Re-formed out of 'B' Flt, No. 17 Sqn, Kenley 13396
RAF Kenley Sep 1936–Nov 1937
RAF Digby Nov 1937–Nov 1939
RAF Acklington Nov 1939–Jan 1940
RAF Digby Jan 1940–May 1940
HMS Glorious May 1940–May 1940
Skaanland May 1940–May 1940
Bardufoss May 1940–Jun 1940
HMS Glorious Jun 1940–Jun 1940
RAF Digby Jun 1940–Sep 1940
Stapleford Aerodrome Sep 1940–Nov 1940
RAF North Weald Nov 1940–Dec 1940
RAF Digby Dec 1940–Feb 1941
RAF Church Fenton Feb 1941–Mar 1941
Sherburn in Elmet Mar 1941–May 1941
En-route Egypt May 1941–Jul 1941
Abu Sueir[1] Jul 1941–Sep 1941
Kilo 40 17 Sep 1941–May 1942
Idku May 1942–Dec 1944
RAF Stoney Cross Jan 1945–Oct 1946
RAF Manston Oct 1946–Dec 1946
RAF Abingdon Dec 1946–Aug 1949
RAF Oakington Aug 1949–Feb 1950 (disbanded)
RAF Odiham Aug 1954–Jul 1959
RAF Waterbeach Jul 1959–Jun 1961 (disbanded)
RAF Abingdon Sep 1966–Sep 1970
RAF Thorney Island Sep 1970–Aug 1975 (disbanded)
No. 46 SQUADRON – AIRCRAFT
Model Service Dates
Nieuport 12 Apr 1916–Apr 1917
BE2c Nov 1916–Apr 1917
BE2e Feb 1917–Apr 1917
Pup Apr 1917–Nov 1917
Camel Nov 1917–Feb 1919
Gauntlet II Sep 1936–Feb 1939
Hurricane I Feb 1939–Dec 1940
Hurricane IIA Dec 1940–May 1941
Hurricane IIC May 1941–Jun 1941
Beaufighter I May 1942–Jul 1942
Beaufighter VI May 1942–Dec 1944
Beaufighter X Apr 1944–Jul 1944
Mosquito XII Apr 1944–Jul 1944
Stirling V Feb 1945–Feb 1946
Dakota III, IV Feb 1946–Feb 1950
Meteor NF 12 Aug 1954–Mar 1956
Meteor NF 14 Aug 1954–Mar 1956
Javelin FAW 1 Mar 1956–Nov 1957
Javelin FAW 2 Aug 1957–Jun 1961
Javelin FAW 6 Aug 1958–Jun 1961
Andover CMk1 Dec 1966–Aug 1975
No. 46 SQUADRON – COMMANDING OFFICERS
Rank Name Date of taking Command
Major G E Todd April 1916
Major E L Conran May 1916
Major L Dawes May 1916
Major P Babington July 1916
Major R H S Mealing December 1917
Major O'Hare Wood July 1918
Major G Allen October 1918
Squadron Leader M F Calder September 1936. On reforming
Squadron Leader P R Barwell June1937
Squadron Leader K B B Cross October 1939
Squadron Leader J R MacLachlan June 1940
Squadron Leader A R Collins October 1940
Squadron Leader L M Gaunce October 1940
Squadron Leader A C Rabagliatti December 1940
Wing Commander G A Reid May 1942
Wing Commander T P K Scade October 1943
Wing Commander R W Dennison June 1944
Squadron Leader G E Robertson Aug–Nov 44 (Temp Cmd)
Wing Commander B A Coventry Januaru 1945
Wing Commander S G Baggott December 1945
Wing Commander R G Dutton March 1946
Wing Commander G Burges July 1946
Squadron Leader E Moody October 1947
Squadron Leader A Reece April 1949
Squadron Leader D F C Ross August 1954 (on re-forming)
Wing Commander F E W Birchfield August 54
Wing Commander H E White June 1956
Wing Commander F B Sowrey May 1958
Wing Commander D B Wills June 1960
Wing Commander M T Rayson September 1960 (on reforming)
Squadron Leader J B Gratton December 1967
Squadron Leader D O Cryws Williams January 1970
Wing Commander F A Mallett February 1971
Wing Commander J A Scambler April 1973
Wing Commander S Hitchen March 1975
No. 46 SQUADRON BATTLE HONOURS
Western Front 1916-1918
Messines 1917 *
Home Defence 1917
Cambrai 1917 *
Somme 1918 *
Hindenburg Line 1918
Norway 1940 *
Battle of Britain 1940 *
Home Defence 1940-1941
Fortress Europe 1941
Malta 1941-1942 *
Egypt and Libya 1942-1943
El Alamein *
Mediterranean 1942-1943
South East Europe 1944*
*Honours on Squadron Standard
No. 46 SQUADRON STANDARD
The Standard was awarded on 3 Jul 1968 and was presented on 13 Oct 1969 at RAF Abingdon by HM King Olav of Norway.
The Standard was laid-up in Chichester Cathedral on 31 August 1975.
No. 46 SQUADRON CODE LETTERS
RJ: Gauntlet, Hurricane to Sep 39
PO: Hurricane
XK: Stirling and Dakota
No. 46 SQUADRON BADGE
Description: “Two arrow heads surmounted by a third, all in bend.”
Explanation: “The arrows stand for speed in getting into action and their position is meant to give the impression of 3 aircraft climbing rapidly
Motto: “We rise to conquer”
Authority: King George VI, June 1937
It is believed that the original idea for the badge came from the wife of the Squadron CO in 1937, Sqn Ldr Barwell
No. 46 SQUADRON NAME
“Uganda”
No. 46 SQUADRON DRINK
Health and Strength is the energy-giving libation that combined all the alcohol available in the First World War Officers’ Mess in France.
3 bottles of Port
1/2 bottle of Brandy
1/4 bottle of Crème de Cacao
3 dozen eggs, yes 3 dozen!
Nutmeg
Stir together with loud cries of “Cheeeeriooo 46 First Today”; serves 90 approx. The magic will not work without the cry !
No. 46 SQUADRON GRACE
Great God, thou giver of all good,
Accept our praise and bless our food:
Grace, health and strength to us afford
Through Jesus Christ, our risen Lord
No. 46 SQUADRON SILVER and MEMORABILIA
Click here to see Squadron silver and memorabilia