No. 22 Squadron RAF
Encyclopedia
No. 22 Squadron of the Royal Air Force
operates the Sea King HAR.3 and HAR.3A
at three stations in the southern United Kingdom
. The squadron was originally formed in 1915 as an aerial reconnaissance unit of the Royal Flying Corps
serving on the Western Front during First World War
. Becoming part of the Royal Air Force on its formation in 1918, it was disbanded the following year as part of the post-World War I scaling back of the RAF. During World War II the Squadron operated in the torpedo bomber role over the North Sea
and then in the Mediterranean and the Far East
.
unit, the squadron operated in France
and Germany
during and after the First World War
. As part of the post-war reduction of the military, the squadron was disbanded in 1919. By the time it was demobilized, it had had 27 flying aces within its ranks, both pilots and observers, including Samuel Frederick Henry Thompson
, Alfred Atkey
, John Everard Gurdon
, William Frederick James Harvey
, Ernest Elton
, Frank Weare
, Carleton Main Clement
, Frank George Gibbons
, Edwin C. Bromley
, Chester Thompson, Hiram Frank Davison
, Sydney A. Oades
, George William Bulmer
, George S. L. Hayward
, Stanley Wallage
, Frederick Stanton
, James Bush
, Rothesay Stuart Wortley
, William Lewis Wells
, Chester Stairs Duffus, John Howard Umney
, Josiah Lewis Morgan
, and Dennis Waight
.
at Martlesham Heath, Suffolk. For 10 years following this formation in 1923, the squadron was involved in testing new aircraft before they were accepted for service.
s and later Bristol Beaufort
s. In this role, the unit flew sorties over the North Sea
from North Coates, Thorney Island
, St Eval
and Portreath
. In April 1941, a pilot of the unit, F/O
Kenneth Campbell
, was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross
for a daring attack on the Gneisenau
in Brest
harbour.
Moving to the Mediterranean in 1942, the unit was posted in North Africa before being moved to the Far East
and re-equipping with the Bristol Beaufighter
. 22 Squadron continued its anti-shipping role, this time using rockets. The squadron disbanded for the third time a month after war's end.
Reformed again in 1955, the squadron took on the Search and Rescue role it maintains today. Initially equipped with Westland Whirlwinds, these were later replaced by the Westland Wessex
. Finally, in the mid-1990s, the squadron received six newly built Sea King HAR.3A to supplement the Sea King HAR.3 aircraft which replaced the Wessex aircraft.
The squadron HQ is co-located with the SAR Force HQ at RAF Valley on Anglesey, Wales. Detachments of at least two aircraft operate from three stations to provide search and rescue cover in their parts of the country; these are:
A and B Flights operate the Sea King Mk3A. C Flight shares a pool nominally of five Sea King Mk3 aircraft with 203 (R) Sqn, the Operational Conversion Unit.
s listed above (which are emblazoned on the Squadron Standard), the Squadron has been granted the following battle honours: Cambrai 1917, Somme 1918, Lys, Amiens, France and Low Countries 1940, Invasion Ports 1940, Biscay Ports 1940-1941.
Flying Officer
Kenneth Campbell
was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross
for executing a torpedo attack on the German battleship in Brest
harbour. Despite atrocious weather having prevented the other aircraft in the mission from reaching the harbour and, with virtually no chance of pulling out of the harbour, Campbell pressed home his attack and badly damaged the ship, being shot down in the process. He and his crew were buried with full military honours by the Germans in the cemetery at Brest.
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
operates the Sea King HAR.3 and HAR.3A
Westland Sea King
The Westland WS-61 Sea King is a British licence-built version of the American Sikorsky S-61 helicopter of the same name, built by Westland Helicopters. The aircraft differs considerably from the American version, with Rolls-Royce Gnome engines , British made anti-submarine warfare systems and a...
at three stations in the southern United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. The squadron was originally formed in 1915 as an aerial reconnaissance unit of the Royal Flying Corps
Royal Flying Corps
The Royal Flying Corps was the over-land air arm of the British military during most of the First World War. During the early part of the war, the RFC's responsibilities were centred on support of the British Army, via artillery co-operation and photographic reconnaissance...
serving on the Western Front during First World War
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. Becoming part of the Royal Air Force on its formation in 1918, it was disbanded the following year as part of the post-World War I scaling back of the RAF. During World War II the Squadron operated in the torpedo bomber role over the North Sea
North Sea
In the southwest, beyond the Straits of Dover, the North Sea becomes the English Channel connecting to the Atlantic Ocean. In the east, it connects to the Baltic Sea via the Skagerrak and Kattegat, narrow straits that separate Denmark from Norway and Sweden respectively...
and then in the Mediterranean and the Far East
Far East
The Far East is an English term mostly describing East Asia and Southeast Asia, with South Asia sometimes also included for economic and cultural reasons.The term came into use in European geopolitical discourse in the 19th century,...
.
1915–1919
Formed in 1915 as a reconnaissanceReconnaissance
Reconnaissance is the military term for exploring beyond the area occupied by friendly forces to gain information about enemy forces or features of the environment....
unit, the squadron operated in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
and Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
during and after the First World War
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. As part of the post-war reduction of the military, the squadron was disbanded in 1919. By the time it was demobilized, it had had 27 flying aces within its ranks, both pilots and observers, including Samuel Frederick Henry Thompson
Samuel Frederick Henry Thompson
Captain Samuel Frederick Henry "Siffy" Thompson MC DFC was a World War I two-seater fighter ace who, in conjunction with his observer-gunners, was credited with 30 kills . He was shot down and killed in action September 1918...
, Alfred Atkey
Alfred Atkey
Alfred Clayburn Atkey MC & Bar was a Canadian First World War pilot.-Early life:Atkey was born in Toronto, Ontario. His family headed west to a town called Minebow, Saskatchewan in 1906. He returned to Toronto to work at the Toronto Evening Telegram as a journalist...
, John Everard Gurdon
John Everard Gurdon
John Everard Gurdon, DFC & Bar, , was a British flying ace in World War I credited with twenty-eight victories.-Background:Gurdon attended Tonbridge School in Kent...
, William Frederick James Harvey
William Frederick James Harvey
William Frederick James Harvey, was a British flying ace in World War I credited with twenty-six victories. He was the first recipient of the DFC & Bar and was also awarded the MC....
, Ernest Elton
Ernest Elton
Flight Sergeant Ernest John Elton was the highest scoring sergeant flying ace for British aviation during World War I. He was credited with 17 aerial victories.While an Air Mechanic with No...
, Frank Weare
Frank Weare
Captain Frank Gerald Craven Weare was a World War I flying ace credited with 15 aerial victories in 40 days.-Early life:Frank Gerald Craven Weare was the son of Frank and Mary L. Weare. In 1901, while he was still a child, he was living in Tunbridge Wells....
, Carleton Main Clement
Carleton Main Clement
Captain Carleton Main Clement MC was a Canadian First World War flying ace officially credited with 14 victories despite being handicapped by flying an obsolete plane.-Early life and service:...
, Frank George Gibbons
Frank George Gibbons
Lieutenant Frank George Gibbons was an aviation pioneer. He was a flying ace credited with fourteen victories, all against enemy fighter planes, during World War I. Postwar, he became an air racer.-World War I:...
, Edwin C. Bromley
Edwin C. Bromley
Lieutenant Edwin Claude Bromley was a Canadian World War I flying ace credited with twelve aerial victories. Bromley piloted a two-seated Bristol F.2 Fighter for 22 Squadron...
, Chester Thompson, Hiram Frank Davison
Hiram Frank Davison
Lieutenant Hiram Frank Davison was a Canadian-born World War I flying ace credited with 11 official aerial victories.-Enlistment:When Davison enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force on 7 January 1916, he gave his profession as traveling salesman and his next of kin as his mother, Etta Davison,...
, Sydney A. Oades
Sydney A. Oades
Sydney Arthur Oades was a British World War I flying ace credited with 11 official aerial victories.-World War I:Sydney Arthur Oades originally served as a sapper with the Royal Engineers....
, George William Bulmer
George William Bulmer
Captain George William Bulmer was an American-born Canadian flying ace in World War I. He was credited with nine aerial victories.-Early life:George William Bulmer was born in Dixon, Illinois, USA on 1 September 1898...
, George S. L. Hayward
George S. L. Hayward
Second Lieutenant George Searle Lomax Hayward Military Cross, was an English World War I aerial observer credited with 24 victories. He served as an observer/gunner for fellow aces Frank Weare, Ernest Elton, and William Lewis Wells...
, Stanley Wallage
Stanley Wallage
Captain Stanley Harry Wallage was a British professional military aviator. He was a World War I flying ace credited with ten aerial victories during 1918...
, Frederick Stanton
Frederick Stanton (aviator)
Lieutenant Frederick Cecil Stanton was a World War I flying ace credited with seven aerial victories. He was the son of William Charles and Kate Dunkley Stanton, who ran the local post office.-References:...
, James Bush
James Bush (aviator)
Lieutenant James Cromwell Bush MC was a World War I flying ace credited with six aerial victories.Bush was a clergyman's son. He first served in the local Dorset Regiment. However, once posted to 22 Squadron as a pilot of a two-seater Bristol F.2 Fighter, he began to succeed as an aerial warrior...
, Rothesay Stuart Wortley
Rothesay Stuart Wortley
Major Rothesay Nicholas Montagu Stuart Wortley was a World War I flying ace credited with six aerial victories....
, William Lewis Wells
William Lewis Wells
Captain William Lewis Wells was a British World War I flying ace credited with ten aerial victories. His exceptional valour twice won him the Military Cross.-Early life:William Lewis Wells was born in Hounslow, Middlesex, England in 1895...
, Chester Stairs Duffus, John Howard Umney
John Howard Umney
Second Lieutenant John Howard Umney was an English flying ace from World War I. He flew as a gunner/observer in the rear seat of Bristol F.2 Fighters, and was credited with 13 official aerial victories.-World War I:...
, Josiah Lewis Morgan
Josiah Lewis Morgan
Lieutenant Josiah Lewis Morgan was a Welsh flying ace in the Royal Air Force. He was credited with 12 official victories during World War I. He served as an observer/gunner for Hiram Frank Davison for all but one of his victories.-World War I:...
, and Dennis Waight
Dennis Waight
Colonel Dennis Edward Francis Waight was a British army professional infantryman. After being decorated for valor while serving as a fusilier early in World War I, he flew in combat as an aerial observer until war's end...
.
1923
The squadron's second incarnation was as the shadow identity of the Aeroplane Experimental EstablishmentAeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment
The Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment was a research facility for British military aviation from 1918 to 1992.-History:...
at Martlesham Heath, Suffolk. For 10 years following this formation in 1923, the squadron was involved in testing new aircraft before they were accepted for service.
1934–45
The squadron reformed again in 1934 in the torpedo bomber role, flying Vickers VildebeestVickers Vildebeest
The Vickers Vildebeest and the similar Vickers Vincent were two very large two- to three-seat single-engined British biplanes designed and built by Vickers and used as a light bomber, torpedo bomber and in the army cooperation roles...
s and later Bristol Beaufort
Bristol Beaufort
The Bristol Beaufort was a British twin-engined torpedo bomber designed by the Bristol Aeroplane Company, and developed from experience gained designing and building the earlier Blenheim light bomber....
s. In this role, the unit flew sorties over the North Sea
North Sea
In the southwest, beyond the Straits of Dover, the North Sea becomes the English Channel connecting to the Atlantic Ocean. In the east, it connects to the Baltic Sea via the Skagerrak and Kattegat, narrow straits that separate Denmark from Norway and Sweden respectively...
from North Coates, Thorney Island
Thorney Island (West Sussex)
Thorney Island is an island that juts into Chichester Harbour in West Sussex. It is separated from the mainland by a narrow channel called the Great Deep. The village of West Thorney lies on the east coast of the island and has been incorporated into the military base...
, St Eval
St Eval
St Eval is a civil parish and hamlet in north Cornwall, United Kingdom. The hamlet is situated approximately four miles southwest of Padstow....
and Portreath
Portreath
Portreath is a civil parish, village and fishing port on the north coast of Cornwall, United Kingdom. The village is situated approximately three miles northwest of Redruth....
. In April 1941, a pilot of the unit, F/O
Flying Officer
Flying officer is a junior commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence...
Kenneth Campbell
Kenneth Campbell
Kenneth Campbell VC was a Scottish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.-Details:...
, was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
for a daring attack on the Gneisenau
German battleship Gneisenau
Gneisenau was a German capital ship, alternatively described as a battleship and battlecruiser, of the German Kriegsmarine. She was the second vessel of her class, which included one other ship, Scharnhorst. The ship was built at the Deutsche Werke dockyard in Kiel; she was laid down on 6 May 1935...
in Brest
Brest, France
Brest is a city in the Finistère department in Brittany in northwestern France. Located in a sheltered position not far from the western tip of the Breton peninsula, and the western extremity of metropolitan France, Brest is an important harbour and the second French military port after Toulon...
harbour.
Moving to the Mediterranean in 1942, the unit was posted in North Africa before being moved to the Far East
Far East
The Far East is an English term mostly describing East Asia and Southeast Asia, with South Asia sometimes also included for economic and cultural reasons.The term came into use in European geopolitical discourse in the 19th century,...
and re-equipping with the Bristol Beaufighter
Bristol Beaufighter
The Bristol Type 156 Beaufighter, often referred to as simply the Beau, was a British long-range heavy fighter modification of the Bristol Aeroplane Company's earlier Beaufort torpedo bomber design...
. 22 Squadron continued its anti-shipping role, this time using rockets. The squadron disbanded for the third time a month after war's end.
Search and Rescue
Westland Wessex
The Westland Wessex is a British turbine-powered version of the Sikorsky S-58 "Choctaw", developed under license by Westland Aircraft , initially for the Royal Navy, and later for the Royal Air Force...
. Finally, in the mid-1990s, the squadron received six newly built Sea King HAR.3A to supplement the Sea King HAR.3 aircraft which replaced the Wessex aircraft.
The squadron HQ is co-located with the SAR Force HQ at RAF Valley on Anglesey, Wales. Detachments of at least two aircraft operate from three stations to provide search and rescue cover in their parts of the country; these are:
- 'A' Flight - RMB Chivenor, DevonDevonDevon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
- 'B' Flight - WattishamRAF WattishamRAF Wattisham was a Royal Air Force station located in East Anglia just outside the village of Wattisham, south of Stowmarket in Suffolk, England. During the Cold War it was a major front-line air force base...
, SuffolkSuffolkSuffolk is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in East Anglia, England. It has borders with Norfolk to the north, Cambridgeshire to the west and Essex to the south. The North Sea lies to the east... - 'C' Flight - RAF ValleyRAF ValleyRAF Valley is a Royal Air Force station on the island of Anglesey, Wales, and which is also used as Anglesey Airport. It provides fast-jet training using the BAE Hawk and provides training for aircrew working with Search and Rescue. Unofficially the motto for RAF Valley is 'One Valley, Training...
, AngleseyAngleseyAnglesey , also known by its Welsh name Ynys Môn , is an island and, as Isle of Anglesey, a county off the north west coast of Wales...
A and B Flights operate the Sea King Mk3A. C Flight shares a pool nominally of five Sea King Mk3 aircraft with 203 (R) Sqn, the Operational Conversion Unit.
Notable rescues
- On 11 November 1962, the FVFishing vesselA fishing vessel is a boat or ship used to catch fish in the sea, or on a lake or river. Many different kinds of vessels are used in commercial, artisanal and recreational fishing....
Jeanne Gougy ran aground and capsized at Land's EndLand's EndLand's End is a headland and small settlement in west Cornwall, England, within the United Kingdom. It is located on the Penwith peninsula approximately eight miles west-southwest of Penzance....
, CornwallCornwallCornwall is a unitary authority and ceremonial county of England, within the United Kingdom. It is bordered to the north and west by the Celtic Sea, to the south by the English Channel, and to the east by the county of Devon, over the River Tamar. Cornwall has a population of , and covers an area of...
, EnglandEnglandEngland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. Eight of her twenty crew were rescued by helicopter or breeches buoyBreeches buoyA breeches buoy is a crude rope-based rescue device used to extract people from wrecked vessels, or to transfer people from one location to another in situations of danger. The device resembles a round emergency personal flotation device with a leg harness attached...
. Sergeant Eric Smith was awarded a George MedalGeorge MedalThe George Medal is the second level civil decoration of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth.The GM was instituted on 24 September 1940 by King George VI. At this time, during the height of The Blitz, there was a strong desire to reward the many acts of civilian courage...
for his actions. - Boscastle flood of 2004Boscastle flood of 2004The Boscastle flood of 2004 occurred on Monday, 16 August 2004 in the two villages of Boscastle and Crackington Haven in Cornwall, England, United Kingdom. The villages suffered extensive damage after flash floods caused by an exceptional amount of rain that fell over eight hours that afternoon...
- The Boscastle flood of 2004 occurred on Monday, 16 August 2004 in the villages of BoscastleBoscastleBoscastle is a village and fishing port on the north coast of Cornwall, England, in the civil parish of Forrabury and Minster. It is situated 14 miles south of Bude and 5 miles north-east of Tintagel....
and Crackington HavenCrackington HavenCrackington Haven is a coastal village in Cornwall, United Kingdom. It is located in the civil parish of St Gennys at at the head of a cove on the Atlantic coast. The village is seven miles south-southwest of Bude and four miles north-northeast of Boscastle.Middle Crackington and Higher...
in Cornwall. The villages suffered extensive damage after flash floods caused by an exceptional amount of rain that fell over the course of eight hours that afternoon. Two Sea Kings from A-Flight at RMB Chivenor, Rescue's 169 and 170, were called and help to rescue some of the 100 people who were airlifted out.
Honours and awards
In addition to the Battle HonourBattle honour
A battle honour is an award of a right by a government or sovereign to a military unit to emblazon the name of a battle or operation on its flags , uniforms or other accessories where ornamentation is possible....
s listed above (which are emblazoned on the Squadron Standard), the Squadron has been granted the following battle honours: Cambrai 1917, Somme 1918, Lys, Amiens, France and Low Countries 1940, Invasion Ports 1940, Biscay Ports 1940-1941.
Flying Officer
Flying Officer
Flying officer is a junior commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence...
Kenneth Campbell
Kenneth Campbell
Kenneth Campbell VC was a Scottish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.-Details:...
was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
for executing a torpedo attack on the German battleship in Brest
Brest, France
Brest is a city in the Finistère department in Brittany in northwestern France. Located in a sheltered position not far from the western tip of the Breton peninsula, and the western extremity of metropolitan France, Brest is an important harbour and the second French military port after Toulon...
harbour. Despite atrocious weather having prevented the other aircraft in the mission from reaching the harbour and, with virtually no chance of pulling out of the harbour, Campbell pressed home his attack and badly damaged the ship, being shot down in the process. He and his crew were buried with full military honours by the Germans in the cemetery at Brest.
RAF Sea King units
- 22 Squadron - RAF St Mawgan, WattishamWattisham AirfieldWattisham Airfield is the biggest centralised operational Army Airfield in the UK, located next to the small village of Wattisham in Suffolk, England. It is home to 3 Regiment Army Air Corps and 4 Regiment Army Air Corps. They are part of 16 Air Assault Brigade, whose headquarters is at Colchester...
, ChivenorRoyal Marines Base ChivenorRoyal Marines Base Chivenor is a British military base used primarily by the Royal Marines. It is situated on the northern shore of the Taw estuary, adjacent to the South West Coast Path, on the north coast of Devon, England....
, RAF Valley - 202 SquadronNo. 202 Squadron RAFNo. 202 Squadron of the Royal Air Force presently operates the Sea King HAR.3 in the Search and rescue role at three stations in the northern half of the United Kingdom. It was originally formed as one of the first aeroplane squadrons of the RNAS before it became part of the RAF.-Formation and...
- RAF BoulmerRAF BoulmerRAF Boulmer is a Royal Air Force station near Alnwick in Northumberland and is currently home to Aerospace Surveillance and Control System Force Command, Control and Reporting Centre Boulmer, the School of Aerospace Battle Management, No...
, RAF LossiemouthRAF LossiemouthRAF Lossiemouth is a Royal Air Force station to the west of the town of Lossiemouth in Moray, Scotland. It is one of the RAF's biggest bases and is currently Britain's main base for Tornado GR4s. From 2013 the Northern QRA force of Typhoon F2 will relocate to Lossiemouth following the closure of...
, RAF LeconfieldRAF LeconfieldThe former RAF Leconfield, or 'Leconfield Camp' was a Royal Air Force airbase in Leconfield , East Riding of Yorkshire, England. The site is now used by the MoD Defence School of Transport Leconfield .-History:... - 1564 FlightNo. 1564 Flight RAF-1564 Flight in World War II:No. 1564 Flight was first formed at RAF Mellaha, near Tripoli, Libya, on 1 February 1943, flying Hawker Hurricanes and Supermarine Spitfires, and was disbanded at Istres, France on 15 June 1946....
- RAF Mount PleasantRAF Mount PleasantRAF Mount Pleasant is a military base for the Royal Air Force in the British Overseas Territory of the Falkland Islands. The facility is part of the British Forces South Atlantic Islands...
, Falkland IslandsFalkland IslandsThe Falkland Islands are an archipelago in the South Atlantic Ocean, located about from the coast of mainland South America. The archipelago consists of East Falkland, West Falkland and 776 lesser islands. The capital, Stanley, is on East Falkland...