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No. 90 Squadron RAF
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No. 90 Squadron, RFC, was formed at Shawbury, Shropshire, in 1917 and on 3rd August 1918, was disbanded and then re-formed as a Home Defence unit which operated until June 1919.
No. 90 Squadron was re-formed as a bomber unit in March 1937, equipped with Hawker Hinds, later Bristol Blenheim Mk. Is and then Mk. IVs. Soon after the outbreak of war No. 90 ceased to be a first-line unit and assumed the role of a Group pool squadron (a training squadron). In April 1940, it was absorbed into. No.17 OTU.
In May 1941, it re-formed and received the first Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress aircraft from America. No. 90's role was now high-altitude day bombing and it flew its first operational mission with Fortresses on 8th July 1941, when Wilhelmshaven was attacked from 30,000 feet. It continued to operate its Fortresses over Europe until September 1941, and later had a detachment operating in the Middle East.
The squadron was again disbanded in February 1942, but re-formed in November 1942, as a heavy-bomber squadron equipped with Stirlings, contributing to the Battle of the Ruhr, the devastation of Hamburg and the raid on Peenemunde. It also did minelaying. In May/June 1944, No. 90 exchanged its Stirlings for Lancasters and with these continued to play a prominent part in Bomber Command's offensive until late April 1945.
Airfields No. 90 Squadron RAF flew from.
- RAF West Raynham, Norfolk. from 3rd to 7th Sept 1939 and 15th May to 28th Jun 1941
- RAF Weston-on-the-Green, Oxfordshire. from 7th Sept 1939 to 8th Apr 1940 (became No 17 OTU)
- RAF Watton, Norfolk. reformed 7th May to 15th May 1941
- RAF Polebrook, Northamptonshire. from 28th June 1941 to Feb 1942 (disbanded)
- RAF Bottesford, Leicestershire. reformed 7th Nov 1942 to 29th Dec 1942
- RAF Ridgewell, Essex. from 29th Dec 1942 to 31st May 1943
- RAF West Wickham, Cambridgeshire. from 31st May 1943 to 1st Aug 1943
- RAF Tuddenham, Suffolk from 13th October 1943
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List of those who served with No. 90 Squadron RAF during The Second World War
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Thomas George Doyle DFM 90 Squadron My late grandfather was Thomas George Doyle DFM from Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales. He served at RAF Tuddenham as a Navigator with 90 Squadron, from 1943 onward. |
WO Stanley Cameron Kelbie "Jock" Johnston A Flight 90 Sqd. Posted Tuddenham in December 1944 at the age of 19 as a crew. I was mid/gunner With F/Sgt Frank.S.M Smith operating Lancaster WP E and stayed on station till the finish of the hostilities not leaving till 1946 when the Sqn moved to R A F Wyton. I am know as the archivist with 90 sqn families and friends. 90 sqn meets at booth the Mildonhall register and holds a diner and wreath laying each year, please contact me at for more information I have a large collection of recorded memorabilia. As a group we are always willing to help those interested in the second world war.
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W/O. Sidney Francis Fry DFM. 90 Squadron My father, Sidney Francis Fry flew as a mid gunner on Lancasters from Tuddenham airfield in Norfolk and possibly other airfields as well. He was seriously wounded in the leg, resulting in its amputation, whilst returning from an attack on Brunswick in August 1944.I understand that the young rear gunner met his death on the same mission. My father was subsequently awarded the DFM.
The pilot in command on this mission was - I understand - 182615 Flying Officer Eric Charles Bowley whose prowess as a pilot meant that the aircraft successfully returned to base despite extensive damage.
I am trying to trace anyone who knew my father during his time in the RAF and would be most grateful if there is anybody who possesses a photograph of the crew with which my father flew.
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Flt.Lt Frank James Roberts DFC. 97 Sqd. (d.21st Jan 1944) I am a researcher for the Aircrew Remembrance Society, and I specialise in researching Australian, Canadian and New Zealand airmen. I am at present researching Lancaster JB299 OF-W of R.A.F. 97 Squadron, piloted by Frank Roberts. We always like to add a photograph of the crew and of course the aircraft the crews flew in. I am wondering if anyone might have a photograph which we could place with the report on this Lancaster. We always give full credit for photographs and information received. If anyone can assist us it would be much appreciated. |
Sgt. Peter J. Leather 90 Sqd. (d.26th Aug 1944) My husband's uncle, Sgt Peter J. Leather, flew out of Tuddenham on Operation Kiel on the 26th August 1944 and unfortunately never made it back. He was about 19 at the time. The plane was Lancaster HK604 WP-G. The bodies of three of the crew were found on Sylt but the others have never been found.
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