No. 234 Squadron — Madras Presidency

No. 234 (Madras Presidency) Squadron reformed in October 1939 at RAF Leconfield and re-equipped with Spitfires in the spring of 1940, coming under No. 10 Group, Fighter Command. During the Battle of Britain the squadron flew from RAF St Eval and RAF Middle Wallop, flying defensive patrols, scrambles, and convoy protection over south-west England. Its most prominent pilot was the high-scoring Australian Pat Hughes, killed in action on 7 September 1940 alongside his commanding officer. Bob Doe and Keith Lawrence were among the survivors who became long-serving members of “The Few.” From 1941 the squadron flew offensive sweeps over northern France before moving north to the Orkneys in 1943. It supported the Normandy landings in June 1944, then converted to Mustang Mk.IIIs for long-range bomber escort from East Anglia, and ended the war escorting strike wings off the Norwegian coast.