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From the ORB of 87 Sqn RAF 1.9.39.:

General Mobilisation of Royal Air Force and Reserves by H.M. the King.

87 Sqn. 2.9.39:

Mobilisation completed. Advance Party ready to leave on movement of Sqn. to France on the 4th September, 1939.

87 Sqn 3.9.39:

1100 England declares war on Germany.

87 Sqn 4.9.39:

0800 Advance Party with Advance Party from 85 Squadron left Saffron Walden L.N.E.R. Station for France via Southampton and Cherbourg (s.s. Isle of Guernsey)

2000 Squadron ordered on night patrol in in sector "F".
Squadron Leader Coope left for Boos, near Rouen and arrived same day

Further to the above, the night patrol was carried out by 6 Hurricanes over Debden aerodrome at 10K. Although the exact times for each a/c varied, it was approximately from 2030 to 2130. One(L 1627) flown by P.O. St. John, is reported as "crash landing" at 2105. Pilot unhurt.

87 Sqn 5.9.39:

Advance Party arrived at Boos. Squadron on day patrol, - Braintree to Harlow. Pilot Officer Pollard posted to 611 Squadron, Duxford.

87 Sqn 6.9.39:

Squadron mechanical transport section loaded and ready to proceed.

From the ORB of 12 Sqn (Battles at Berry-au-Bac) 7.9.39:

G.O. guns loaded with incendiary and armour-piercing ammunition. 13 aircraft serviceable at 'Cease Work'.

From the ORB of 9 Sqn (Wellington IAs at Honington) 8.9.39:

Aircraft flown back from BOSCOMBE DOWN for Air Firing during Air Firing practice at BERNERS HEATH an accident occurred to aricraft L.4320, the following lost their lives: P.O. ROSOFSKY, P.O. CLIFFORD-JONES, A.C.1. McGREEVY, A.C.1. PURDIE.

Aircraft flown back to BOSCOMBE DOWN after Air Firing.

S/L L.S. LAMB had Audience with His Majesty King George VI.

87 Sqn 9.9.39:

Air Party of 15 machines led by F/Lt Colmore left for Boos via Cranfield, Abingdon, Newbury, Tangmere, and le Treport, refuelling at Tangmere
Air Party as follows:
Section 1 F/Lt Colmore, P/O Rayner, P/O Glyde, Sgt. Cowley
Section 2 P/O Campbell, Sgt. Witty, P/O Tait, P/O St. John (see 4.9.39)
Section 3 F/Lt Jeff,P/O Duckworth, P/O Cook
Section 4 Sgt. Thurgar, P/O David, P/O Joyce, P/O Dunn
Formation - Line astern

87 Sqn 10.9.39:

Squadron ordered to patrol Cherbourg during disembarkation of British troops. Machines remained with pilots and crews, overnight at Capriquet - Caen.

Meanwhile across the Atlantic, from the Daily Diary of No. 1 (F) Squadron RCAF:

Orders received from the National Defense Headquarters, Ottawa, instructing No. 1 (F) Squadron, St. Hubert, Que., to mobilize.

In the future this squadron will be referred to as 401 Sqn, which 1 (F) became and still is today.

87 Sqn 11.9.39:

Attack alarm - later to be proved false, sounded at 0400. Squadron returned to Boos.

401 Sqn:

Squadron placed on war basis and mobilization was commenced.

401 Sqn RCAF 12.9.39:

Flight Lieutenant E.A. McNab proceeded to R.C.A.F. Station, Trenton, via air purpose of testing guns in Hurricane 328.

87 Sqn 13.9.39:

Demonstration flight over Paris by 85 and 87 Squadrons.

401 Sqn 14.9.39:

Flight Lieutenant E.A. McNab returned from Trenton, Ont.with Hurricane 328 at 1545 hours.

Assembly of Hurricane 327 is completed, inspected and test flown by Sqn. Ldr. K.G. Fullerton.

9 Sqn 15.9.39:

Six aircraft standing by. All aircraft flown from BOSCOMBE DOWN, and placed in Dispersal points.

401 Sqn 16.9.39:

Flight Lieutenant McNab proceeded to Toronto, Ont., by rail for purpose of ferrying and testing Hurricane 329, which was on static display at Toronto Exhibition, to St. Hubert, Que.

87 Sqn 17.9.39:

Main Party of 87 Squadron arrived at Rouen and transported to Boos by motor-bus.

401 Sqn 18.9.39:

Flying Officer E.M. Reyne proceeded to RCAF Station, Trenton, Ont., by air for purpose of firing guns in Hurricane 327. Flight Lieutenant E.A. McNab promoted to Squadron Leader with effect 1-4-39. Sgt. Davis, R.L. attached to Headquarters, M.D. 4 for duty.

401 Sqn 19.9.39:

Flying Officer E.M. Reyne returned from RCAF Station, Trento, Ont., by air Hurricane No.327.
Sqn. Ldr. E.A. McNab arrived from Trenton, Ont., by air ferrying Hurricane 329 from Toronto, Ont.
Formation flying. Individual climbs to 20000 feet using oxygen.

401 Sqn 20.9.39:

Formation flying in clouds commenced.