485 Squadron flight commanders

[keith A]

In pursuing my interest about the career of WVC Compton I find my notes are confusing.

Compton is identified as a pilot in B Flight, which he would eventually lead, but I have given the succession of flight commanders as Brinsden, Martin, Wells, Norris and Strang ( a rather heavy turnover considering none were killed or wounded).

Brinsden was a flight commander (March-22 July 1941).

Martin was with the squadron March-20 June 1941 before being "attached" (transferred?) to 222 Squadron.

Wells was a flight commander by 5 July 1941 and therefore I assume he replaced Martin but if Brinsden was still with the squadron this seems odd. Unless Martin was A Flight commander.

Norris led B Flight (August-October 1941) until replaced by RH Strang in mid-October 1941. Norris cannot have replaced Wells because Wells was still with the squadron leading a flight until promoted to acting squadron leader on 22 November 1941.

Based on the victory claims made I assume Compton served under Wells rather than Norris and that when both Strang and Compton took command of B Flight it was as a transfer from A Flight.

Tortuous reasoning I agree

Keith

[Gordon Raddock]

Hi Keith

According to Kevin W Wells and his 485 Squadron Royal New Zealand Air Force: An Illustrated History of the New Zealand Spitfire Squadron:

A Flight

Driffield (March 1941)
Flt Lt F N Brinsden

Leconfield (April 1941)
Flt Lt F N Brinsden

Redhill (July 1941)
Flt Lr E P Wells

Kenley (Oct 1941)
Flt Lt G A Francis
Flt Lt R J C Grant

Kenley (May 1942)
Flt Lt R W Baker

etc, etc

B Flight

Driffield (March 1941)
Flt Lt J C Martin

Leconfield (April 1941)
Flt Lt J C Martin

Redhill (July 1941)
Flt Lt R H Strang

Kenley (Oct 1941)
Flt Lt W V Crawford-Compton

Kenley (May 1942)
Flt Lt M M Shand

etc, etc

If you need the listing to the need of the war, let me know.

Cheers
Gordon

[keith A]

Many thanks Gordon I am now sure that Bill Crawford Compton was in B Flight not A Flight.

However I think the details about both flights are a bit confused. Strang was not promoted to Flight Lieutenant until 18 October when I think he replaced Stan Norris who had arrived at the squadron in July (not August as I stated). Strang led the flight until lost in a flying accident in January 1942 when Crawford Compton succeeded him.

https://www.facebook.com/pg/485nzraf...94866470698320

This site does however wrongly identify Basil Collyns as a flight commander in 485 Squadron rather than Norris.

Reg Grant had only just been commissioned in August and did not become a flight commander until March 1942. Graham Howe Francis must have been flight commander from Wells being promoted in November 1941 until Grant succeeded him in March. On 13 March 1942 Francis became an instructor at Hawarden.

best regards

Keith