No. 1 Squadron, Royal Naval Air Service, was formed at Fort Grange, Gosport on 16th October 1914. The Squadron was re-designated No. 201 in 1918 with the formation of the Royal Air Force and is therefore the oldest maritime aircraft squadron in the world. The Squadron has a long and distinguished history with battle honours from both the world wars and having been directly engaged in all the most recent UK military operations. As a consequence of the UK Strategic Defence Review and the cancellation of the Nimrod MRA 4 aircraft programme, May 2011 saw No. 201 Squadron’s disband for the third time in its history. The squadron reformed at RAF Lossiemouth in 2021 and continues in the maritime role flying the Boeing P8 Poseidon aircraft.
No 201 (Guernsey’s Own) Squadron Association provides a focal point for current and former members of one of the Royal Air Force’s oldest squadrons to keep in contact with old friends and comrades. The website supports this aim and also contains stories, articles and images that provide a personal insight into the history of No. 201 Squadron.
Whether you are a current member, a new member, someone with a family connection with the Squadron or just someone interested in maritime aviation please feel free to browse the site – there is something for everyone.
OUR HISTORY
As the Squadron can trace its roots back to 1914, this makes No 201 the oldest maritime squadron in the world. The Squadron has participated in many of the major events of the 20th century and the Squadron Standard is testimony to this. 201’s Battle Honours are:
- Western Front 1915-1918
- Arras, Ypres 1917
- Somme 1918
- Norway 1940
- Atlantic 1941-1945
- Bismark and Normandy 1944
Further honours not on the Standard but to which the Squadron is entitled are: Amiens, Hindenburg Line, Channel and North Sea 1939-1945, Biscay 1941-1945, South Atlantic 1982, and Arabian Gulf 1990-1991.
FELLOW ASSOCIATIONS
Coastal Command Association
120 Sqn Association
206 Sqn Association
