|
114 Squadron
|
Website and ALL Material © Copyright MIM to MMVIII
- All Rights Reserved
This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this site you agree to accept cookies.
If you enjoy this siteplease consider making a donation.
Home
Add Stories & Photos
Features
Submissions
Got a Question? Please add it to:
Schools
FAQ's
World War 2 Two II WW2 WWII
114 Squadron
No. 114 Squadron was first formed at Lahore, India, in September 1917 In 1936 No. 114 re-formed at Wyton as a bomber squadron flying Hinds, and later was the first squadron to be equipped with Blenheims. In December 1939, the squadron, with Blenheim IVs, was posted to Vraux, in France for reconnaissance and then employed on bombing of enemy troop columns. 114 squadron was evacuated from France in May 1940.
Early in March 1941, 114 squadron was loaned to No. 18 Group, Coastal Command, to provide convoy escorts and anti-shipping and anti-submarine patrols. They returned to Bomber Command in July. In November 1942, No. 114, moved to North Africa to support the First Army in "Operation Torch". In April 1943 the Squadron converted to Bostons was posted to Sicily, moving on to Italy in October. After the was 114 Squadron was posted to Aden and converted to Mosquitoes. On the 1st of September 1946 114 Sqaudron was renumbered No. 8 Squadron.
Airfields 114 Squadron flew from.
- Wyton. 3rd to 12th Sep 1939
- Conde-Vraux, France 12th Sep 1939 to 21st May 1940
- Nantes-Chateau Bougon, France 21st May 1940 to 31st May 1940
- Wattisham. 31st May 1940 to 10th Jun 1940
- Horsham St. Faith. 10th Jun 1940 to 10th Aug 1940
- Oulton. 10th Aug 1940 to 19th Jul 1941
- West Raynham. 19th Jul 1941 to 15th Nov 1942
- North Africa. 15th Nov 1942
- Sicily. Apr to Oct 1943
- Italy Oct 1943 to Sep 1945
- Aden. Sep 1945
List of those who served with 114 Squadron during The Second World War
- Alan Peter Bowman 114 Sqd. (d.15th Apr 1944) Read his Story.
- Sgt. John Bertram Campbell (d.12th Jun 1942) Read his Story.
- Flt. Sgt. Norman Buckenham Day pilot (d.12th Jun 1942) Read his Story.
- A/Sqn.Ldr. Francis Finney DSO. Read his Story.
- Flt.Sgt. R. Mann (d.14th Jul 1941) Read his Story.
Flt. Sgt. Norman Buckenham Day pilot 114 sqd. (d.12th Jun 1942)
Norman is buried in Barkingside Cemetery, Iford. His brother Raymond also lost his life whilst serving with 106 squadron.
Alan Peter Bowman 114 Sqd. Royal Air Force (d.15th Apr 1944)
I am trying to find out a little about my Uncle Alan Peter Bowman who left Australia in RAAF but later became part of the 114 RAF Squadron. From family stories I believe he was shot down by the Italians over the Mediterranean Sea on 15.04.1944. If anyone has any further information about my uncle I would greatly appreciate it.
A/Sqn.Ldr. Francis Finney DSO. 114 Sqd.
My father was Frank Finney. At the beginning of WW2 he was sent to be a flying instructor in Rhodesia and South Africa, then in 1943 he travelled north through Africa, by land and sea, to Egypt where he converted onto Baltimores. Then he joined 55 and later 114 Sqns, converted to Boston III, then IV and finally in early 1945 to Boston V, as they progressed through Italy when the Germans retreated. The task was to hinder the Germans as much as possible. There was much 'flak'.
In Feb 1945 my father led a raid on railway marshalling yards and his a/c was set alight by flak. His comms with the crew in the belly of the a/c ceased to operate and although he gave the command to bale out, he was unaware if this had happened so felt unable to bale out himself and elected to stay with the a/c as long as possible. The heat was intense and the a/c was at imminent risk of explosion owing to the proximity of flames and fuel. Nevertheless he got back to the nearest airfield across the line and managed to pump down the under carriage manually although he had no idea whether it had lowered or not or if the tyres were OK. But he landed successfully. The charred remains of the mid-upper gunner were in the fuselage but the other 2 crew had gone. It was discovered later that one had been hidden and repatriated by Partisans whilst the other had died owing to a burning 'chute. Flt Lt Finney was awarded the DSO and given acting rank of Sqn Ldr.
The Wing was at Aviano, NE Italy, when the war ended. Sqn Ldr Finney, having been overseas since 1940, was repatriated in May 45, flying a Boston to Marseilles to catch a troopship. Little did he realise that day, it was to be his final flight in the RAF. His pre-war civilian employers, discovering he was home on leave, asked the Air Ministry to release him, this was agreed and he found himself back as Clerk of the County Court in Stoke. Frank Finney died aged 87 in 2005.
Flt.Sgt. R. Mann 114 Squadron (d.14th Jul 1941)
I found this picture of the grave marker of R.Mann of 114 Squadron from RAF Thornaby in my grandfather's collection in Norway.
Sgt. John Bertram Campbell 114 Sqd. (d.12th Jun 1942)
My wife's uncle Sgt. John Bertram Campbell RAF(VR) was killed by a stray German bomb on the Eagle Pub in Kings Lynn on June 12th 1942. I am trying to find some more information, can anyone help?
Can you help us to add to our records?
The names and stories on this website have been submitted by their relatives and friends. If your relations are not listed please add their names so that others can read about them
Did you or your relatives live through the Second World War? Do you have any photos, newspaper clippings, postcards or letters from that period? Have you researched the names on your local or war memorial? Were you or your relative evacuated? Did an air raid affect your area?
If so please let us know.
Help us to build a database of information on those who served both at home and abroad so that future generations may learn of their sacrifice.
Celebrate your own Family History
Celebrate by honouring members of your family who served in the Secomd World War both in the forces and at home. We love to hear about the soldiers, but also remember the many who served in support roles, nurses, doctors, land army, muntions workers etc.
Please use our Family History resources to find out more about your relatives. Then please send in a short article, with a photo if possible, so that they can be remembered on these pages.
Website and ALL Material © Copyright MIM to MMVIII
- All Rights Reserved