No . 8 Squadron Royal Air Force

No. 8 Squadron was formed at Brooklands on 1 January 1915. It served throughout the war on the Western front, initially in artillery observation and reconnaissance. From 1918 it specialised in providing support to tank brigades and ground attack against anti-tank gun emplacements. After the Armistice, 8 Squadron served briefly in Germany as part of the British Army of Occupation. It moved back to the United Kingdom in July 1919 and was disbanded on 20 January 1920, only to be reformed 9 months later at Helwan near Cairo in Egypt as a bomber squadron. The squadron subsequently spent periods in Iraq, Turkey, Mesopotamia and finally at RAF Khormaksar in Aden. As well as bombing missions against insurgents, the squadron was engaged in survey flights, casualty evacuation and mail delivery. In April 1939 the squadron received a flight of Bristol Blenheim twin-engined bombers for maritime patrols, alongside their older Vickers Vincents which were employed on landward patrols.

12th June 1940 Raids

13th June 1940 Airfield bombed

5th August 1940 Italian invasion

10th August 1940 The Battle for the Tug Argan Pass

12th August 1940 Free French join 8 Squadron

January 1941 French flight moves on

16th January 1941 Aircraft lost in Somalia

9th March 1941 Re-conquest of Eritrea

August 1941 Red Sea patrols

July 1942 Re-equipped

February 1943 New aircraft arrive

14th July 1943 Submarine sunk

December 1943 Long range patrols

3rd May 1944 U-Boat destroyed

1st May 1945 Disbanded

15th May 1945 Squadron renumbered

June 1945

2nd Sept 1945

15 November 1945 Disbanded

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Those known to have served with
No . 8 Squadron Royal Air Force
during the Second World War 1939-1945.

Gregg Reginald Darell. Sgt.
Lawrence DFC & Bar, MID. Kenneth Aubyn Hassel. Sqn Ldr.

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Sqn Ldr. Kenneth Aubyn Hassel Lawrence DFC & Bar, MID. 7 Squadron

Kenneth Lawrence completed his basic flying and navigation training in the UK from 25th May to 20th Aug 1938 aged 21 and was promoted to Pilot Officer. He was posted to No. 8 Sqn. in Abu Sueir, Aden he participated in the East African Campaign between July 1939 and July 1941. During this period he was shot down sustaining an injury and was held as a POW in French Somaliland. He managed to escape and returned to flying duties with his Squadon. On 17th of March 1941, Flying Officer Lawrence was mentioned in dispatches and in September returned to the UK and took Flying instructors training. From 15th Nov 1941 until 9th Mar 1943 he was a flying instructor for Commonwealth pilots in PEI, New Brunswick and Ontario and Weyburn Sask, eventually returning to the UK for further training. Between 25th Sept 1943 and 21st Aug 1944 he was an operational pilot with various bomber Squadrons. 25th Sept to 15th Oct 1943 with No. 75 Sqn. 15th Oct 1943 to 27th Jan 1944 with No. 15 Sqn. 27th Jan to 21st Aug 1944 with No. 7 Sqn. with the Pathfinder Force<
On 18th of January 1944 during his time with No. 15 Squadron, he was awarded his first DFC. On 15th of September 1944 whilst serving with No. 7 Squadron, by then an Acting Squadron Leader, he was awarded his second DFC in the form of a bar.
At age 29 Ken was working for BOAC a position he held until 3rd June 1946. He subsequently began flying commercially in the Middle East until about 1952. Eventually, he returned to Canada where during May 1994 he died in Ottawa.

Ted Lawrence

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No . 8 Squadron Royal Air Force

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Those known to have served with
No . 8 Squadron Royal Air Force
during the Second World War 1939-1945.

The Wartime Memories Project is the original WW1 and WW2 commemoration website.

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The Wartime Memories Project - No . 8 Squadron Royal Air Force during the Second World War -

No . 8 Squadron Royal Air Force

Logbooks

Those known to have served with No . 8 Squadron Royal Air Forceduring the Second World War 1939-1945.

The Wartime Memories Project is the original WW1 and WW2 commemoration website.

Announcements

Want to know more about No . 8 Squadron Royal Air Force?

Recomended Reading.

Links

The Wartime Memories Project
- No . 8 Squadron Royal Air Force during the Second World War -

Those known to have served with
No . 8 Squadron Royal Air Force
during the Second World War 1939-1945.