No. 1 Squadron RCAF
Encyclopedia
No. 1 Squadron Royal Canadian Air Force was formed as a fighter unit at Trenton
, Ontario
on 21 September 1937 with Siskin
aircraft. The squadron was formed from the Fighter Flight of No. 3 (Bomber) Squadron. In August 1938, the squadron moved to Calgary
, Alberta
and was re-equipped with Hawker Hurricane
aircraft in February 1939. While stationed in Calgary, the squadron was commanded by S/L Elmer Garfield Fullerton. It was mobilized at Saint-Hubert
, Quebec
on 10 September 1939, and on 5 November 1939 it moved to Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
.
of the Auxiliary from Montreal
. The Squadron was posted to Middle Wallop
in June 1940, before in July moving to Croydon
.
On 26 August 1940, the unit had its first encounter with German aircraft, and was the first squadron of the RCAF to engage the enemy, score victories, suffer combat casualties and to win gallantry awards. During the battle the squadron flew 1,694 sorties (1,569 Operational hours and 1,201 non-operational) losing 10 aircraft, 3 pilots killed in action and 2 killed in accidents. Claims totalled 30 destroyed, 9 probable and 34 damaged. Sqn Ldr E.A. McNab claimed 4 1/3, Flt Lt G.R. McGregor 4, Fg Off B.D. "Dal" Russel 3, Fg Off J.W. Kerwin 3, and Fg Off A.D. Nesbit 3. Three Distinguished Flying Crosses
were awarded. The Squadron was withdrawn to Scotland
during October 1940.
, Yorkshire, England on 1 March 1941, and in May 401 received the new Hurricane Mark II.
By September the unit had Spitfire Mk IIs, and the Mark V a month later, moving to Biggin Hill
for cross channel operations.
In July 1942 some of the very first Mark IX Spitfires reached the Squadron, allowing 401 to take on the FW-190 on more equal terms.
Trenton, Ontario
Trenton is a community in Southern Ontario in the municipality of Quinte West, Ontario, Canada. Located on the Bay of Quinte, it is the main population centre in Quinte West....
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
on 21 September 1937 with Siskin
Armstrong Whitworth Siskin
The Armstrong Whitworth Siskin was a British biplane single-seat fighter aircraft of the 1920s produced by Armstrong Whitworth Aircraft. The Siskin was one of the first new RAF fighters to enter service after the First World War; it was noted for its aerobatic qualities.-Design and development:The...
aircraft. The squadron was formed from the Fighter Flight of No. 3 (Bomber) Squadron. In August 1938, the squadron moved to Calgary
Calgary
Calgary is a city in the Province of Alberta, Canada. It is located in the south of the province, in an area of foothills and prairie, approximately east of the front ranges of the Canadian Rockies...
, Alberta
Alberta
Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
and was re-equipped with Hawker Hurricane
Hawker Hurricane
The Hawker Hurricane is a British single-seat fighter aircraft that was designed and predominantly built by Hawker Aircraft Ltd for the Royal Air Force...
aircraft in February 1939. While stationed in Calgary, the squadron was commanded by S/L Elmer Garfield Fullerton. It was mobilized at Saint-Hubert
Saint-Hubert, Quebec
Saint-Hubert is a borough in the city of Longueuil, located in the Montérégie region of Quebec, Canada. It had been a separate city prior to January 1, 2002, when it along with several other neighbouring south shore municipalities were merged into Longueuil. According to the Quebec Statistics...
, Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
on 10 September 1939, and on 5 November 1939 it moved to Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
Dartmouth founded in 1750, is a community and planning area of the Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia. Located on the eastern shore of Halifax Harbour, Dartmouth has been nicknamed the City of Lakes after the large number of lakes located in the city.On April 1, 1996, the provincial...
.
1940
On 28 May 1940, before going overseas, it absorbed No. 115 (Fighter) SquadronNo. 115 Squadron RCAF
No. 115 Squadron was a Royal Canadian Air Force Canadian Home War Establishment Squadron.-Equipment:*Bristol Bolingbroke I *Bristol Bolingbroke IV *Lockheed Ventura GR.V...
of the Auxiliary from Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
. The Squadron was posted to Middle Wallop
Middle Wallop
Middle Wallop is the local name given to an area between the two Parishes of Over Wallop and Nether Wallop in Hampshire, England. As it does not have its own parish technically it does not exist, however road signs and maps make reference to the location and have done so since the 18th century,...
in June 1940, before in July moving to Croydon
Croydon
Croydon is a town in South London, England, located within the London Borough of Croydon to which it gives its name. It is situated south of Charing Cross...
.
On 26 August 1940, the unit had its first encounter with German aircraft, and was the first squadron of the RCAF to engage the enemy, score victories, suffer combat casualties and to win gallantry awards. During the battle the squadron flew 1,694 sorties (1,569 Operational hours and 1,201 non-operational) losing 10 aircraft, 3 pilots killed in action and 2 killed in accidents. Claims totalled 30 destroyed, 9 probable and 34 damaged. Sqn Ldr E.A. McNab claimed 4 1/3, Flt Lt G.R. McGregor 4, Fg Off B.D. "Dal" Russel 3, Fg Off J.W. Kerwin 3, and Fg Off A.D. Nesbit 3. Three Distinguished Flying Crosses
Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force and other services, and formerly to officers of other Commonwealth countries, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against...
were awarded. The Squadron was withdrawn to Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
during October 1940.
1941–1945
The Squadron was renumbered No. 401 (Fighter) Squadron at RAF DriffieldRAF Driffield
RAF Driffield was a Royal Air Force station situated near Driffield in the East Riding of Yorkshire, England.Situated between Kelleythorpe and Eastburn on the A614 road, there stands an aerodrome. In recent times, it was known as Alamein Barracks and used as an Army driving school...
, Yorkshire, England on 1 March 1941, and in May 401 received the new Hurricane Mark II.
By September the unit had Spitfire Mk IIs, and the Mark V a month later, moving to Biggin Hill
Biggin Hill
Biggin Hill is an area and electoral ward in the outskirts of the London Borough of Bromley in southeast London, United Kingdom.-History:Historically the settlement was known as Aperfield and formed part of the parish of Cudham...
for cross channel operations.
In July 1942 some of the very first Mark IX Spitfires reached the Squadron, allowing 401 to take on the FW-190 on more equal terms.