There follows below lists of the senior officers who served in commanding roles with 550 Squadron. The information used to build this page was taken in the first instance from the lists provided on the original Squadron Association web-site, but has been augmented by new and additional information gathered since that time.
The column headers should be fairly self-explanatory. The final column (Web links) contains, where given, links to other items on this web-site or indeed to external sources where further information or photographs, etc can be found.
Definitions of the abbreviations used are available: here.
TOTAL: 1
| Rank | Initials (First Name) |
Last Name | Decorations | Service | Flight | Applicable Dates (and other information) |
Web Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| W/Cdr | J J (James Johnson) |
Bennett | DFC | RAF | - | Commanding Officer: 25 Nov 43 - 17 May 44. First Commanding Officer of 550 Squadron. Selected to attend the Senior Commander's Course at R.A.F. College, Cranwell, commencing 17th May 1944. Added Bar to DFC after leaving 550 Sqdn. |
/pages/550-sqdn-memorial-stone.php /documents/public/Lancasters-Crews/SqdnLeaderGDGraham/index.php /documents/public/Lancasters-Crews/FOJORichard/index.php /documents/public/Lancasters-Crews/FlLtRWPicton/index.php /documents/public/Lancasters-Crews/FlLtAJGrain/index.php /documents/public/Lancasters-Crews/POVJBouchard/index.php /documents/public/Lancasters-Crews/FSgtDCBarton/index.php |
| W/Cdr | P E G G (Patrick Edward Geoffrey G) |
Connolly | RAF | - | Commanding Officer: 18 May 44 - 15 Jul 44 (Missing) Posted from Hemswell on 14.5.44 to Command Squadron |
/documents/public/Lancasters-Crews/SqdnLeaderBJRedmond/index.php /pages/550-sqdn-bussy-la-cote-commemorations.php |
|
| W/Cdr | A F M (Alan Francis Moir) |
Sisley | DFC | RAF | - | Commanding Officer: 16 Jul 44 - 31 Aug 44 (Missing) Australian from Sydney, joined the RAF in the mid-thirties Posted to 550 Sqdn from 11 Base H.Q. on 15.7.44 |
/documents/public/Lancasters-Crews/POPCSiddall/index.php /documents/public/Lancasters-Crews/FORPurvis/index.php /documents/public/Lancasters-Crews/FSgtJHough/index.php /documents/public/Lancasters-Crews/FlLtRThomas/index.php |
| W/Cdr | B (Bryan) |
Bell | RAF | - | Commanding Officer: 18 Sep 44 - 22 Feb 45 (Missing). Moved to No.1 Group Aircrew pool w.e.f. 24/12/43 Then posted back to 550 Sqdn as CO on the loss of W/Cdr Sisley First President of Northumbria Branch of the Aircrew Association. Died 1985 |
/documents/public/Lancasters-Crews/WingCmdrBryanBell/index.php /documents/public/Lancasters-Crews/SqdnLeaderBBell/index.php /documents/public/Lancasters-Crews/FODWSummons/index.php /documents/public/Lancasters-Crews/FOCGKEdlund/index.php /documents/public/Lancasters-Crews/FlLtDEALuger/index.php http://www.teunispats.net/macr-12109.htm |
|
| W/Cdr | J C |
McWatters | DFC | RAF | - | Commanding Officer: 25 Feb 45 - 02 Oct 45 Class A release w.e.f 03.10.45 |
/original-site-archive/histmemoirsb17seacrash.htm |
| W/Cdr | G F |
Rodney | AFC DFC |
RAF | - | Commanding Officer: 03 Oct 45 - 31 Oct 45 Posted to 550 Sqdn from 153 Sqdn w.e.f. 3.10.1945 |
- |
TOTAL: 6
TOTAL: 6
TOTAL: 4
| Rank | Initials (First Name) |
Last Name | Decorations | Service | Flight | Applicable Dates (and other information) |
Web Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S/L | A P (Arthur Percy) |
Gainsford | AFC DFC |
RNZAF | C | Flight Commander C Flight: 09 Sep 44 - 07 Nov 44 Posted to 550 Sqdn from No. 11 Base w.e.f 14.09.44 Posted from 550 Sqdn to 150 Sqdn on 7th November 1944 |
/documents/public/Lancasters-Crews/SqdnLeaderAPGainsford/index.php /documents/public/Lancasters-Crews/FlLtMFAMaltin/index.php |
| S/L | W F (William Fleming) |
Caldow | AFC DFM DSO |
RAF | C | Flight Commander C Flight: 08 Nov 44 - 20 Mar 45 Posted to 550 Sqdn from No. L.F.S. w.e.f. 13.11.44 Completed tour on 16.03.45 Posted from 550 Sqdn to No. 13 Base w.e.f. 20.3.45 NB: According to Station ORB: Posted to 1651 Conversion Unit w.e.f. 13.4.45 |
/documents/public/Lancasters-Crews/SqdnLeaderWFCaldow/index.php /documents/public/Lancasters-Crews/EE139-ThePhantomOfTheRuhr/FlLtJCassidy/index.php /pages/bomber-command-books.php#TonUpLancs https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36480/supplement/1838/data.pdf https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/37324/supplement/5235/data.pdf http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tH8OVAICjQ |
| S/L | J C (Peter) |
Sarll | DFC | RAF | C | Flight Commander C Flight: 21 Mar 45 |
/documents/public/Lancasters-Crews/SqdnLeaderJCSarll/index.php /original-site-archive/lib/image030.jpg |
TOTAL: 3
| Rank | Initials (First Name) |
Last Name | Decorations | Service | Flight | Applicable Dates (and other information) |
Web Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F/L | K |
MacAleavey | DFC | RAF | - | Senior Navigation Officer: 25 Nov 43 - 19 Jul 44 Posted to 550 Sqdn from 100 Sqdn w.e.f 25/11/43 (on squadron start-up) Later Flight Commander A Flight (see separate record) |
/documents/public/Lancasters-Crews/FOLWHussey/index.php /documents/public/Lancasters-Crews/FOLNBCann/index.php |
| F/L | L H (Laurence Henry) |
Avery | RAF | - | Senior Navigation Officer: 30 Jul 44 Posted to 550 Sqdon from 1656 Con. Unit. on 30.7.44 |
- | |
| S/L | J A (John Adam) |
Breckell | RAF | - | Station Navigation Officer (from arrival on 16 Feb 1944) Known as "Jack" Served 1 tour with 9 Sqdn, also 75 Sqdn Died 5/2/1984 Auckland NZ His younger brother William was a Pathfinder 156 Sqdn (shot down in 1943 but survived as POW) |
/pages/550-sqdn-photos.php#SquadronGroupPhotos |
TOTAL: 3
| Rank | Initials (First Name) |
Last Name | Decorations | Service | Flight | Applicable Dates (and other information) |
Web Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F/L | A D (Alexander Donovan) |
McConnell | DFC | RNZAF | - | Senior Bombing Officer: 25 Nov 43 - 16 Jun 44 (Missing) |
/documents/public/Lancasters-Crews/FSgtAHJefferies/index.php /documents/public/Lancasters-Crews/FOJORichard/index.php /documents/public/Lancasters-Crews/FlLtAJGrain/index.php /documents/public/Lancasters-Crews/POWJBibby/index.php /documents/public/Lancasters-Crews/FOEVSage/index.php /documents/public/Lancasters-Crews/PONSRogers/index.php /documents/public/Lancasters-Crews/WOTALloyd/index.php /documents/public/Lancasters-Crews/FODFNeilson/index.php http://www.flickr.com/photos/550squadron/3008785975/ |
| F/L | E N |
Fisher | RAF | - | Senior Bombing Officer: 20 Jun 44 - 10 Jul 44 Posted to 550 Sqdn from 1667 CU on 20.6.44 for Squadron Bombing Leader Post Posted to 1656 Con Unit on 12.7.44 |
- | |
| F/L | G W |
Peek | RAF | - | Senior Bombing Officer: 11 Jul 44 Posted to 550 Sqdn from No. 1 L.F.S. on 11.7.44 |
- |
TOTAL: 3
| Rank | Initials (First Name) |
Last Name | Decorations | Service | Flight | Applicable Dates (and other information) |
Web Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F/L | A R |
Tippett | RAF | - | Senior Signals Officer: 20 Dec 43 - 5 Jul 44 Re-posted to 550 Sqdn to fill Establishment Post and granted the rank of Acting Flight Lieutenant w.e.f. 20/12/43 |
/documents/public/Lancasters-Crews/SqdnLeaderPANicholas/index.php /documents/public/Lancasters-Crews/FOGPFauman/index.php |
|
| F/L | K |
Davidson | RAF | - | Senior Signals Officer: 06 Jul 44 - 16 Mar 45 Posted to 550 Sqdn from 28 O.T.U. w.e.f. 6.7.44 |
- |
TOTAL: 2
| Rank | Initials (First Name) |
Last Name | Decorations | Service | Flight | Applicable Dates (and other information) |
Web Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F/L | W H (William Hugh) |
Waycott | DFM | RAF | - | Senior Gunnery Officer: 25 Nov 43 - 10 Apr 44 (Missing) Re-posted to 550 Sqdn to fill Establishment Post and granted the rank of Acting Flight Lieutenant w.e.f. 20/12/43 (prior to posting, F/O Waycott) Had previously served with 101 Sqdn and details of his award were Gazetted 13 Jul 43. |
/documents/public/Lancasters-Crews/FlLtRWPicton/index.php /documents/public/Lancasters-Crews/FOGBHoddle/index.php /documents/public/Lancasters-Crews/FlLtABCraig/index.php /pages/550-sqdn-achiet-le-petit-commemoration-2015.php http://www.francecrashes39-45.net/page_fiche_av.php?id=1093 http://www.ww1cemeteries.com/ww2_cemeteries/achiet_lp_cc.htm |
| F/L | H |
Storry | RAF | - | Senior Gunnery Officer: 18 Apr 44 - 9 Jun 44 [Station ORB: Senior Gunnery Officer to replace F/Lt Waycott Missing in action 9/10 April Squadron ORB: Gun "G". Posted to 576 Squadron on 9.6.44 Squadron 576 ORB confirms in-posting date from 550Sqdn] |
- | |
| F/L | D H |
Murphy | RAF | - | Senior Gunnery Officer: 09 Jun 44 - 8 Jul 44 Posted to 550 Sqdn from 1481 B & G Flight on 9.6.44 for Gunnery Leader Post |
- | |
| F/L | K W L (Kenneth William Lipscombe) |
Fuller | DFC | RAF | - | Senior Gunnery Officer: 09 Jul 44 - 14 Jul 44 (Killed) Posted to 550 Sqdn from 12 Sqdn on 9.7.44 |
/documents/public/Lancasters-Crews/SqdnLeaderBJRedmond/index.php /pages/550-sqdn-bussy-la-cote-commemorations.php |
| F/L | D M (Donald Marshall) |
Clark | DFC | RAF | - | Senior Gunnery Officer: 20 Jul 44 - Oct 45 Posted to 550 Sqdn from 300 Sqdn on 20.7.44 DFC awarded 23/3/45 |
/documents/public/Lancasters-Crews/PORVaughan/index.php /documents/public/Lancasters-Crews/FOVAThygessen/index.php /pages/550-sqdn-logbooks.php#WOPorterLogBook https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36135/supplement/3685 https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36997/supplement/1597 |
TOTAL: 5
| Rank | Initials (First Name) |
Last Name | Decorations | Service | Flight | Applicable Dates (and other information) |
Web Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F/L | P J (Philip James) |
Cornwall | DFM | RAAF | - | Senior Flight Engineer: Dec 43 - 28 May 44 Posted to 550 Sqdn from 1667 Con.Unit w.e.f. 16/12/43 to fill the Establishment Post of Flight Engineer Leader and granted rank of acting F/Lt. NB: gov.au veterans web-site lists service number as 14850, rather than the 41850 in the Sqdn ORB, and is thus assumed the correct number. See gov.au links for details. |
http://www.ww2roll.gov.au/Veteran.aspx?ServiceID=R&VeteranID=1044202 /documents/public/Lancasters-Crews/POVJBouchard/index.php |
| F/L | C J (Charles James) |
Adair | RAF | - | Senior Flight Engineer: 09 Jun 44 - 13 Dec 1944 Posted from Sandtoft on 28.5.44 for duties as Squadron Flight Engineer Leader Posted to 550 Sqdn from 1667 CU on 6.6.44 for Flight Engineer Leader Post [Ed: two separate entries in the ORB with differing dates] NCO service number 526603, DFM gazetted 21/1/44 for a tour with 101 Sqn. Posted from 550 Sqdn to No. 1662 Con. Unit w.e.f. 13.12.44 |
/documents/public/Lancasters-Crews/FlLtJCLord/index.php |
TOTAL: 2
| Rank | Initials (First Name) |
Last Name | Decorations | Service | Flight | Applicable Dates (and other information) |
Web Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P/O | R E (Robert Edwin) |
Barnes | RAF | - | Senior Adjutant: 25 Nov 43 - 13 Dec 43 | - | |
| F/L | A K (Adalbert Kenneth) |
Bellows | RAF | - | Senior Adjutant: 14 Dec 43 - Jan 44 Posted to 550 Sqdn from 144 Sqdn w.e.f. 14/12/43 to the duties of Squadron Adjutant |
- | |
| F/L | C W |
Waitt | MM | RAF | - | Squadron Adjutant: Jan 44 - 26 May 45 One of the small band of RAF officers to hold the Military Medal. |
- |
| F/L | - |
Holtam | RAF | - | Squadron Adjutant: 26 May 45 - Oct 45 | - |
TOTAL: 4
GRAND TOTAL Senior Officers: 39
The details were last updated: 13 April 2024
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