26 South Africa Squadron Royal Flying Corps

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26 Sqd Badge 2.JPG

At the conclusion of the German South West Africa campaign, the Department of Defence of the Union of South Africa offered the entire South African Aviation Corps to the Imperial Government.

At this point in time, the SAAC consisted of 152 personnel. They were ordered back to South Africa and moved to Cape Town. The unit eventually departed on 31 July 1915 and it was decided in London to form a South African squadron.

A second contingent then left for England from South Africa on 19 September 1915.

A RFC squadron then consisted of 28 officers, 20 Non Commissioned Officers and 161 men.

The squadron was officially established on 8 October 1915. Officially formed at Nethravon, the squadron left for East Africa in December 1915 and arrived in Mombasa on 31 January 1916.

At the end of their tasks in the East African campaigns, the Squadron returned to Cape Town where they were sent to England for disbandment. This took place on 8 July 1918 at Blandford in England.

The East African campaign had taken its toll in tropical sicknesses but suprisingly only two pilots were killed in flying accidents.

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26 June 2012 Photos A3.JPG

A pair of rare squadron related "trench art" pieces.

[Arthur R]

Interesting pieces of "trench art". Thanks for posting.

As a matter of interest, the springbok-head badge, approved in 1936, was one of the earliest formal RAF squadron badges, the current system of badges having been introduced only in 1935. The squadron acknowledged its South African ancestry by choosing the springbok head, and a motto in Afrikaans. At one time, evidently, the wording on the frame read 'Army Co-operation Squadron' rather than simply 'Squadron'.

http://www.griffon.clara.net/rafh/sqns.htm

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Thanks Arthur,

I have a medal group to one of its members and the unit name that is engraved on the medals is very interesting.

Regards,

Will

[JimD]

Will

What the unit on the medals?

Cheers
Jim

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RFC Medal Group 4.JPG

RFC Medal Group 5.JPG

Hi Jim,

S.A.S.R.F.C.

Regards,

Will

[Ted1975]

I am attaching three images. The first is of the No. 26 Squadron (South African) Royal Flying Corps, with my great uncle, Flight Sergeant Edward Morris Hutchings, seated second from the right. The second is a portrait of him in his uniform. The last is of his grave in Dar-es-Salaam War Cemetery - he was one of the two killed in a flying accident.

[Alex Rice]

Thanks Ted, great photos. Can you confirm if your uncle's should title is "Royal Flying Corps" or "South African Aviation Corps" please? I would expect RFC but just like to confirm.
Thanks, cheers,
Alex

[Brian Conyngham]

Hi Alex, our flyers in GEA were SA Squadron RFC.

Brian

[The Good Dudes]

I have a group of medals from an air mechanic in the SAAC, his force number was Z34. The group came with his shoulder title. I'm always on the lookout for more from the SAAC, as I'm sure a few others are too.

[Traist]

Hi Jimmy, very nice title. Regards Andrew