207 SQUADRON ROYAL AIR FORCE HISTORY

RAF MARHAM POSTINGS, CANBERRA ERA

We are keen to register 207 Squadron Canberra era members who were at Marham, including those who served as groundcrew on the Squadron who may not have been mentioned in the ORBs. Work continues on this page.

Please contact the editor, Frank Haslam: -

Some entries are recorded more fully than others in the Squadron ORBs. Whilst errors may have been made in transcription there are also errors and omissions in the originals.

An online listing for 207's Valiants era at Marham is already in place. Work continues on postings in 207's Washington era at Marham.

source: National Archives, Kew, London
AIR27/2661 207 Sqn ORB Jul 1951 - Feb 1956, including Form 449 Monthly Amendment Lists: microfilm


March 1954

Location: Marham
Commanding Officer: Squadron Leader PH Gibbs
Detached Flights: Nil
Strength of RAF Officers: 33
Strength of RAF Airmen/Aircrew: 16
Strength of RAF Ground Airmen: 73
Aircraft: English Electric Canberra B.2 Role: Medium Night Bomber
Establishment: 10 Strength: 3 Canberra B.2
Operations/Exercises, Policy: Part of Main Bomber Force
Administration: The Squadron Role is changed with change of aircraft to Canberra B.2, to Canberra Light Bomber Force

March 1954 Pilots

Flt Lt DM Gossland posted to 207 Squadron 1.3.54
Flt Lt FC Cooke posted to 207 Squadron 14.3.54
Flt Lt FE[sic] Cooke, Flt Lt JS Bennett, Fg Off MG Fenn, Fg Off B Thomas detached to USA 16.3.54-31.3.54 [return of B.29 Washington to USA]
Fg Off DR Sargeant, Fg Off FJJ Wall, FG Off SC Melling, Fg Off IG Michie, Fg Off MG Fenn posted to 201 AFS Swinderby 31.3.54
P/O P Holland, P/O BJ Conchie, P/O SL Pierce, P/O KV O'Rourke and P/O DGL Rigby posted to 207 Squadron 10.3.54
P/O BJ Mather posted to 207 Squadron 22.3.54
Flt Lt PPJ Hillier ceased to be detached.
Fg Off Ford posted in.

March 1954 Navigators

F/O Wylie posted Watton 31.3.54
P/O Crowther posted to 207 Squadron 3.3.54
P/O RD Edwin-Scott, P/O RJ Casey, P/O T Grewcock, P/O MA Gamester posted in 10.3.54
F/O Steele posted in 14.3.54
F/O AA Norman posted in 22.3.54
F/O Mitchell GD ceased to be detached to 231 OCU Bassingbourn _.3.54
F/O Crawford ceased to be detached to USA 22.3.54
F/O DV Hartland posted to 207 Squadron 11.3.54
F/O Wylie, F/Sgt Gladwyn, F/Sgt Howley, and F/Sgt Flynn detached to USA 16.3.54-31.3.54
F/Sgt Pullen and F/Sgt Grant ceased to be detached to USA 31.3.54

March 1954 Signallers

F/Sgt Lacey, Sgt Furness detached to USA 16.3.54-31.3.54
Sgt Seymour posted to Upwood

March 1954 Gunners

Sgt Fielding detached to USA 16.3.54-31.3.54
Sgt Mayne posted HQ 3 Group Bomber Command 31.3.54
Sgt Cundell posted Compton Bassett 31.3.54

March 1954 Engineers

F/Sgt Kidd and Sgt Edwards detached to USA 16.3.54

April 1954 Pilot

Flt Lt JS Bennett posted 26th April 1954

April 1954 Navigator

F/Sgt Gladwyn posted 26th April 1954

April 1954 Engineer

Sgt Langdon posted 14th April 1954, F/Sgt Kidd posted 26th April 1954

April 1954 Signaller

F/Sgt CVC Lacey posted 26th April 1954

April 1954 Gunners

Sgt JE Lamb posted 13th April 1954
Sgt Traczewski & Sgt Grant, Sgt Hewlett released 17th April 1954
Sgts Ebrey, Sgt Foley, Sgt Forster, Sgt Gregory, Sgt Inkpen, Sgt Lewis, Sgt Scott posted 26th April 1954
Sgt Fielding & Sgt Owen released 28th April 1954

May 1954 Pilots

Flt Lt FE Cooke posted 3rd May 1954
Fg Off GS Taylor posted 3rd May 1954
Fg Off B Thomas posted 13th May 1954
Plt Off N Bissell posted to 207 Sqdn from 231 OCU 25/5/54

May 1954 Navigators

Flt Lt SR Coupland posted to 207 Sqdn from 90 Sqdn May 1954 and takes the role of Navigation Leader
Plt Off D Campbell posted to 207 Sqdn from OCU 231 25/5/54

May 1954 Engineer

Sgt Edwards posted 3rd May 1954

May 1954 Signallers

Sgt J Furness posted 3rd May 1954
Sgt J James posted 13th May 1954

May 1954 Gunner

Sgt Cundell posted 22nd May 1954

June 1954 Pilots

Plt Off B Sheppard posted to No.207 Squadron from 231 OCU 8th June 1954
Flt Lt DM Gossland posted to Marham (Non-effective Sick) 8th June 1954
Flt Lt DM Gossland posted 207 Squadron 21st June 1954 (authority awaited)

June 1954 Navigators

Fg Off GD Mitchell detached Hemswell 14th June 1954
Fg Off BL Mason released 25th June 1954
Fg Off JT Thorpe posted to 207 Squadron from 231 OCU 8th June 1954
Fg Off G Nettleship posted to 207 Squadron from BCBS Lindholme 16th June 1954
Plt Off J Muston posted to 207 Squadron from BCBS Lindholme 16th June 1954

June 1954 Gunners

F/Sgt N Pullen detached to Hawarden (Non-effective Sick) 23rd June 1954

July 1954 Pilots

Flt Lt RJ Brain posted to No.207 Squadron from 231 OCU 12th July 1954
Flt Lt FC Cooke detached Old Sarum from 5th July 1954 and ceased to be detached 16th July 1954

July 1954 Navigators

Plt Off DR May posted to No.207 Squadron from 231 OCU 12th July and flies as Flt Lt Brain's Nav/Plotter
Fg Off GD Mitchell ceased to be detached 24th July 1954

August 1954 Navigators

Fg Off GD Mitchell detached to Defford wef 3.8.54
Fg Off Casey detached to Sutton-on-Hull for the period 18.8.54 to 1.8.54[sic]
F/Sgt N Pullen posted to Marham, Supy, wef 14.6.54

No.207 Squadron Crew List 1st September 1954

OFFICER COMMANDING: Squadron Leader PH Gibbs
NAVIGATION OFFICER: Flight Lieutenant SR Coupland

Crew No.

Captain

Nav P

Nav O

1 Flt Lt DM Jim Gossland Fg Off Derek V Hartland Flt Lt DH Lyons
2 Flt Lt Frank G Cooke Fg Off Phil F Steele Fg Off AK Wilmshurst Ken
3 Flt Lt PFJ Hillier John Fg Off Maurice A Gamester Mo Fg Off J Moore
4 Fg Off WC Ford Bill F/Sgt Maunders, Denis A F/Sgt Howley, T
5 Fg Off BJ Conchie Bert Fg Off Dave H Crowther F/Sgt Riley, JA
6 Plt Off Ken V O'Rourke Kiwi Fg Off Terry Grewcock F/Sgt Stevens, EE Steve
7 Fg Off Don GL Rigby Fg Off RJ Casey Fg Off Dave J Crawford
8 Fg Off Pete Holland Fg Off Ron D Edwin-Scott F/Sgt Grant, WH
9 Fg Off Barry J Mather Fg Off AA Norman Tony Plt Off HW [sic-JMB] Muston John
10 Plt Off Norman Bissell Fg Off Dave Campbell Fg Off Gordon? W Nettleship
11 Fg Off Bruce Sheppard Fg Off JT Thorpe Trevor F/Sgt Flynn, F
12 Flt Lt RJ Brain Fg Off DR May Fg Off RP McConchie

Supernumerary: Fg Off GD Mitchell (detached)

September 1954 Accidents

The accidental explosion of two 1,000lb bombs on the airfield on 20th September 1954 damaged only one aircraft of No.207 Squadron. The Squadron loaned aircraft to Nos.90 &115 Squadrons, whose aircraft suffered damage from bomb fragments. Squadron Leader Gibbs, whilst running to the scene of the accident, was forced to dodge fragments by a display of side stepping which elicited much praise from the members of No.207 Squadron who looked on from the safety of their positions under the crewroom tables.

September 1954 Pilots

Flt Lt DM Gossland detached to Lindholme wef 20.9.54 to 24.9.54 on course
Fg Off SL Pierce posted to HQ No.3 Group wef 13.9.54

September 1954 Ceremonial

A Station Parade was held on 15th September 1954 to commemorate the anniversary of the Battle of Britain. Three 207 Squadron aircraft took part in the Ceremonial Flypast over Whitehall at 17.00 Hrs the same day.

No.207 Squadron paraded in Kings Lynn on Sunday 19th September 1954 and led a march through the town to attend a commemorative service at St Margaret's Church. The salute was taken outside the town hall by the Mayor of Kings Lynn.

October 1954 Accidents

On the night of 25th October 1954, whilst carrying out a Bombing Detail, Fg Off BJ Mather experienced a Bomb Hang-Up. He returned to Base and on landing, the Hung-Up Bomb dislodged and exploded in the Bomb Bay. No injuries were suffered, and the small fire caused was soon brought under control by the Fire Tender crew.

October 1954 Pilots

Fg Off P Holland posted to No.1 PHU Innsworth wef 18.10.54 Non-effective Sick
Flt Lt Hopkinson attached wef 4.10.54 to 16.10.54 under the reinforcement scheme.

October 1954 Navigators

F/Sgt WH Grant posted to St Athan wef 20.10.54
F/Sgt Chambers attached wef 4.10.54 to 16.10.54 as Flt Lt Hopkinson's Navigator

November 1954 Accidents

On 25th November 1954 aircraft WJ618 captained by Flt Lt PFJ Hillier suffered cat.2 damage after striking a flock of starlings while approaching to land.

November 1954 Pilots

Fg Off Hasler posted in to No.207 Squadron wef 8.11.54
Flt Lt Brain assumed command of A Flight wef 22.11.54 vice Flt Lt DM Garland who is taking annual leave.
Fg Off WC Ford was promoted to Flt Lt wef 30th October 1954

November 1954 Navigators

Fg Off Hayes and Fg Off Whitehouse posted in to No.207 Squadron wef 8.11.54

December 1954 - Accident

On the 3rd December at 00.56 WH906 crashed at three miles finals. The Captain, Flying Officer Hasler and his crew, Fg Offs Hayes and Whitehouse were killed.

December 1954 Ceremonial

A Squadron Funeral Parade was held on the 7th December 1954 for the burial of Flying Officer Hasler and Flying Officer Hayes.

January 1955 Pilots

Flt Lt RJ Brain promoted to the rank of Squadron Leader wef 1.1.55 and posted to No.3 S of RT wef 31.1.55 for Staff Duties.
Flt Lt DM Gossland posted to No.231 OCU wef 4.1.55 for Duties on Training Staff
Flt Lt PFJ Hillier Assumed Command of A Flight, No.207 Squadron, Vice Flt Lt DM Gossland (Posted) wef 4.1.5

Plt Off MK Adams Posted to No.207 Squadron from No.231 OCU wef 29.12.54
Plt Off J Hogg Posted to No.207 Squadron from No.231 OCU wef 27.1.55

January 1955 Navigators

Flt Lt SR Coupland Detached to Lindholme wef 3.1.55 and then detached to Hemswell wef 13.1.55 to 18.5.55
Flt Lt DSM Lyons Posted to Lindholme wef 29.12.54
Fg Off DWH Adams Derek Posted to No.207 Squadron wef 29.12.54 and is Plt Off MK Adams' Navigator
Fg Off DE Young and FG Off B Higgs Posted to No.207 Squadron wef 27.1.55 and are Observer and Plotter in Plt Off J Hogg's crew

February 1955 Pilots

Flt Lt PW Flinn Paddy Posted to No.207 Squadron wef 10.2.55

February 1955 Navigators

Flt Lt RS Smith and Fg Off A Maskrey posted to No.207 Squadron wef 10th February 1955 and are Plotter and Observer respectively in Flt Lt PW Flinn's crew

March 1955 tba

April 1955 Pilots

Flt Lt FC Cooke promoted to the rank of Squadron Leader wef 1st April 1955 and posted to Boscombe Downs [sic] wef 4th April 1955

April 1955 Navigators

Flt Lt RS Smyth was promoted to the rank of Squadron Leader wef tba

May 1955 Accidents

On 13th May 1955 WH876 collided during Formation Flying Practice with WK142. The subsequent loss of aileron control suffered by WH876 caused Fg Off N Bissell, the Pilot, to make an emergency wheels-up landing at Wittering, causing extensive damage to the aircraft. WK142 was landed without further incident by Fg Off KV O'Rourke. There were no injuries.

May 1955 Pilots

Flt Lt PW Flinn detached to Bad Tols for a course at the USAF Escape and Evasion School. Detachment is wef 16th May

May 1955 Navigators

Sqn Ldr RS Smyth posted wef 26.5.55 to RAF Gutersloh to take up the post of Squadron Leader Operations.
FS DA Maunders posted to RAF Jurby to commence OCTU training

June 1955 Pilots

Flt Lt PW Flinn returned from attachment to Bad Tolte [sic] on 27th May
Fg Off EE Fell posted to No.207 Squadron from 231 OCU wef 1st June 1955

June 1955 Navigators

Fg Off JMB Muston posted to RAF Lindholme wef 1st June
Fg Off MJ Stretton posted to No.207 Squadron from 231 OCU wef 1st June and is Fg Off EE Fell's Plotter
Fg Off GW Smith posted to No.207 Squadron from 231 OCU wef 1st June 1955 and is Fg Off EE Fell's Observer
Flt Lt SR Coupland ceased to be detached to Hemswell wef 23rd June

July 1955 Pilots

Flt Lt BE Fern posted to No.207 Squadron wef 11.7.55

July 1955 Navigators

Flt Lt RB McGowan posted to No.207 Squadron wef 11.7.55 and is Flt Lt BE Fern's Plotter
Plt Off PG Chapman posted to No.207 Squadron wef 11.7.55 and is Flt Lt BE Fern's Observer
Fg Off RJ Casey detached to Wyton wef 1.7.55
Flt Lt SR Coupland detached to Finningley wef 20.7.55

August 1955 Navigators

Flt Lt J Moore posted to HQ No.3 Group wef 2.8.55
Fg Off DH Crowther posted to No.138 Squadron, Gaydon wef 15.8.55
Fg Off MA Gamester posted to HQ No.3 Group wef 29.8.55
Fg Off R Eaton posted to No.207 Squadron from No.44 Squadron, Honington wef 4.8.55
FG Off AJ Smith posted to No.207 Squadron from No.57 Squadron, Honington wef 4.8.55

September 1955 - nil

October 1955

Fg Off DE Young was released on 2nd October 1955 at the end of his 4 year engagement
Fg Off EE Fell was posted to Gaydon wef 1st October 1955

November 1955 Pilots

Flt Lt PFJ Hillier and Fg Off KV O'Rourke were posted to Gaydon wef 16th November, their departure weakened the Squadron by one Combat Star and one Select Crew.
Fg Off A Christie was posted in from No.231 OCU Bassingbourn wef 17th November

November 1955 Navigators

Flt Lt SR Coupland was posted to Gaydon wef 16th November
Fg Off TA West was posted from Bassingbourn wef 17th November and is Fg Off T [sic] Christie's Navigator/Observer

December 1955

Fg Off E Bates and his Navigator Fg Off B Courtman posted in from No.231 OCU Bassingbourn wef 19.12.55
Flt Lt PT Flinn (Pilot) posted non-effective sick.

January 1956 Accident

Fg Off BJ Mather made a successful landing on Nose Wheel and one Main Wheel. Cat.2 damage was sustained by the aircraft.

January 1956 Administration

Flt Lt RB McGowan assumed command of No.207 Squadron vice Squadron Leader PH Gibbs (Posted)

January 1956 Pilots

Flt Lt PW Flinn posted to RAF Marham
Sqn Ldr PH Gibbs posted to RAF Gaydon wef 14.1.56
Flt Lt A Christie posted to No.90 Squadron wef 24.1.56
Fg Off E Bates posted to No.90 Squadron wef 23.1.56

January 1956 Navigators

Fg Off PF Steele and Fg Off DV Hartland posted to 6 MBF Course at Lindholme wef 4.1.56
Fg Off RJ Casey posted to Gaydon wef 14.1.56
Plt Off B Courtman posted to No.90 Squadron wef 23.1.56
Fg Off DR May and Fg Off TA West posted to No. 90 Squadron wef 24.1.56

February 1956 Administration

The Squadron is about to disband but awaits the Administrative Order or Instructions.
Personnel: The Squadron crews are being posted to other Squadrons stationed at Marham. 3 crews remain to effect the disbandment.


page last updated, Frank Haslam, 6 Dec 2006
additionals: Terry Grewcock