No. 151 Squadron RAF

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151 Squadron was founded at Hainault Farm in Essex on June 12 1918, and was equipped with Sopwith Camel aircraft.

“During the five months in which 151 Squadron had taken part in hostilities overseas, the total number of hours flown by night was 1443 hrs 26 mins.

Sixteen enemy aircraft were destroyed at night on the Allies side of the lines, and five were destroyed on the enemy side and confirmed. Another five were unconfirmed, thus making a total of twenty six successful engagements. Of the enemy aircraft destroyed, twenty two were AEGs, Friedrichshafen or Gothas, with two engines and carrying a crew of three or more. Two were giant P 52’s with five engines carrying a crew of up to eight or nine.

During all the numerous combats there were very few occasions when the guns jammed or caused trouble, reflecting the devotion to duty of Lt Eggar and his gunnery staff.

Too much cannot be said for the NCOs and men of the Squadron. The long hours from dawn to dusk and the urgent necessity of getting all machines serviceable during the daytime was evidence of their keen spirit and esprit de corps, and nothing was more gratifying to a pilot on landing after a successful combat than to hear the rousing cheers of the NCOs and men of his Flight, echoed by the Squadron, that greeted him.”

The squadron was disbanded on 10 September 1919

On the 4 August 1939 the squadron was reformed at RAF North Weald from 'B' Flight of 56 Squadron. It operated throughout the second world war disbanding on the 10 October 1946 at RAF Weston Zoyland.

The squadron was reformed again at RAF Leuchars, Scotland on 15 September 1951. It disbanded on 19 September 1961.

On 1 January 1962 the Signals Development Squadron at RAF Watton was designated 151 Squadron. Operative a variety of aircraft on development work. It was re-designated 97 Squadron on the 25 May 1963.