At the outbreak of war, 115 Squadron of the R.C.A.F.
Auxiliary was reinforced by some regulars of No 1 Squadron of the R.C.A.F.
to form the new No 1 (R.C.A.F.) Squadron. These men arrived in England on 20
June and underwent six weeks training at Middle Wallop, during which time
its Hurricanes were modified to
U.K. standards. They then moved to Croydon and flew each day to Northolt
for instruction by No 111 Squadron, who had been
the first R.A.F. Squadron to receive Hurricanes,
before becoming operational on the 17
August 1940. Uniquely, initially the squadron pilots were all officers.
On 1 March 1941 all non-RAF squadrons were renumbered to eliminate duplication,
and No 1 (R.C.A.F.) was renumbered No 401 Squadron.
All members of the Squadron were Canadian, unless
otherwise noted. It should be noted that some of the other "Canadian"
pilots who flew for the RAF were actually Americans who falsely stated
their nationality to avoid problems with their embassy, who were discouraging
any involvement in the war by their subjects. |
