catbert Posted 29 December , 2012 Share Posted 29 December , 2012 I am trying to find out more about what my grandfather did as wireless operator for 27 squadron, he was on the ground, but where? HQ? Batteries? I am taking advice to look at the document in Kew, history of 27 squadron raf 1915 - 1919 AIR1/173/15/161/1. I am waiting for Kew to get back to me, but it would be good to hear from anyone who already has this document and might be able to help. Many thanks suzanne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john-g Posted 29 December , 2012 Share Posted 29 December , 2012 Suzanne I have AIR1/690/21/20 27 Squadron History, if it is any use, you are welcome to a copy the total size is 116mb. Contact through web page. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catbert Posted 29 December , 2012 Author Share Posted 29 December , 2012 Suzanne I have AIR1/690/21/20 27 Squadron History, if it is any use, you are welcome to a copy the total size is 116mb. Contact through web page. Thank you John I will do that Suzanne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattyBoy Posted 29 December , 2012 Share Posted 29 December , 2012 Hi Suzanne, I see that John G is going to supply you with much more info. on 27 Squadron than I could hope to provide (John is also an expert on all things relating to 66 Sqn RFC/RAF). I would like to find out if Maj Sidney Smith was actually noted as the C.O. of 27 Sqn in 1916 or whether he was just on the pilots roster and happened to be a Major at the same time. According to the book 'My Warrior Sons' Maj A.E. Borton left the command of the squadron on 30th July 1916, however Maj Smith is noted in the communiques as being with the unit by 06th July. Perhaps there was some overlapping in order to smooth over the transfer being these two commanding officers ? Regards, Matt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catbert Posted 29 December , 2012 Author Share Posted 29 December , 2012 Matt, yes I have contacted John for the info he has kindly offered. The book Flying Elephants makes several mentions of Sidney ' Crasher ' Smith so will see what I can find Suzanne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catbert Posted 29 December , 2012 Author Share Posted 29 December , 2012 Matt, re Sidney Smith Nov 1915, 27 were joined by major smith, late royal artillery, who was nominally posted in as C.Flt. Commander but by virtue of his seniority he naturally assumed temporary command of the sqdn until arrival of 27s first appointed CO major Borton DSO who arrived in December 1915. On July 29 1916, major Smith took over command of 27 from major Borton on the latters promotion to Lt Col in command of 21st army wing RFC. Hope this helps, let me know if you need anything else. Suzanne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catbert Posted 30 December , 2012 Author Share Posted 30 December , 2012 Matt, do you happen to know where Sidney Smith went after leaving 27 squadron in September 1917. He was promoted..... apparently he finally made group captain. Suzanne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mickdavis Posted 30 December , 2012 Share Posted 30 December , 2012 If I remember correctly, Smith become OC 91st Wing, which comprised 19, 64 and 209 Squadrons. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catbert Posted 30 December , 2012 Author Share Posted 30 December , 2012 If I remember correctly, Smith become OC 91st Wing, which comprised 19, 64 and 209 Squadrons. Great, many thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hectic Historian Posted 29 April , 2020 Share Posted 29 April , 2020 Mr great uncle was in 27 Squadron in 1920 in Waziristan I too would like a copy of AIR1/690/21/20 27 if possible please Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John(txic) Posted 29 April , 2020 Share Posted 29 April , 2020 Might be able to get as a free download from the NA, HH. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James A Pratt III Posted 5 May , 2020 Share Posted 5 May , 2020 I think there is a history of this squadron titled "The Flying Elephants" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John(txic) Posted 6 May , 2020 Share Posted 6 May , 2020 Yes - by Chaz Bowyer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingsnorth36 Posted 6 May , 2020 Share Posted 6 May , 2020 Nice Pic of Crasher https://www.apw.airwar1.org.uk/no27sqn.htm Regards Richard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pearsonica Posted 7 December , 2020 Share Posted 7 December , 2020 (edited) Hi I would like a copy of 27 Squadron Records. AIR1/690/21/20 27 Squadron History AIR1/173/15/161/1. My Grandfather was Captain Kenneth Noble Pearson MC. He became a flight commander of 27 Squadron. There is a photo of him with 21 Squadron who I believe shared the Airfield with 27 Squadron https://www.apw.airwar1.org.uk/no27sqn3.htm He left the Squadron after the Battle of the Somme and returned Home to defend London from the Gotha Bombers and Zeppelin threat. He was in command of A Flight of 37 Squadron based at Rochford. I have recently found in an old trunk in my father's loft the Elephant Insignia that they painted on the side of their planes during the Battle of the Somme. From this the RAF Squadron emblem was born. However who ever designed the Insignia for the RAF got it wrong as the Elephant should point the other way. The grandson of Major Smith has just sent me his father's Emblem on his plane and a details of an Action that Pearson and Smith fought together on 6th July 1916. It was this action that got Pearson awarded the MC and promoted Captain. - His sitation read - Supplement to the London Gazette 20th October 1916 - Confirmed award of Military Cross for conspicuous Gallantry and Skill. With one other pilot he attacked ten hostile aeroplanes. The other pilot (Smith) had his Controls cut away and had to return. Regards Ian C Pearson pearsonica@btinternet.com Edited 7 December , 2020 by pearsonica Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted 7 December , 2020 Share Posted 7 December , 2020 (edited) Is there some particular item of information you want looked up? I appear to have both those items already booked out for a date in Christmas week to help with a local casualty at my end of Essex, also of 27 Squadron. Also, is this item not of interest? Edited 7 December , 2020 by Guest Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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