List of all Fleet Air Arm  Commanding Officers 1939-1945 A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - J - K - L -  M - N - O - P - Q - R - S - T - U - V - W - X - Y - Z

NG Haigh RNVR
Born 
Rank: Lt Cdr (A) 
Honours and Awards 
Died 
Other information 
- first CO of 853 avenger sqdn at Squantum 
- carried out anti-submarine patrols during Arctic convoys to Russia, HMS Tracker, 10.1944. 

Commands:

853

Nov 1943

Dec 1944

JW Hale RN
Born 
Rank: Lt Cdr, Cdr (1940) 
Honours and Awards: DSO (1940) 
Died 
Other information 
- at the out break of war was CO of 825 swordfish sqdn on HMS Glorious in the Mediterranean
- involved in trade protection duties, Indian Ocean and Aden, HMS Glorious, 7.1939-1.1940 
- first CO of 819 swordfish sqdn at Ford, Sussex
- led second strike, Taranto raid 11.11.1940 
- involved in Malta convoys, HMS Illustrious, 8.1940
- involved in series of attacks in the eastern Mediterranean, commencing with  the dive bombing attack on Calato airfield, Rhodes, 4.9.1940
- ended command when HM Illustrious was badly damaged off Malta by attacks from german aircraft, and the sqdn disbanded, 10.1.1940

- seniority 12.1940 (Cdr)

Commands:

825	Aug 1938	Feb 1940
819	Feb 1940	Jan 1941	disbanded

AF Hall RN
Born 1909 UK
Rank: Sub Lt (1931), Lt Cdr 
Honours and Awards: DSO (1940) 
Died: 28.2.1944 
Other information
- trained in No 20 Pilots Course, RAF Leuchars, 1931-1932
- killed in hurricane of 781 communications sqdn, in an accident when he flew into the ground during a heavy snowstorm, near Wooler, 28.2.1944, buried Biddestone, Wiltshire, UK

Commands:

781	killed 28.2.1944

RMcD Hall RN (see MacDonald-Hall)
Born 
Rank: Lt Cdr (A) 
Honours and Awards 
Died 
Other information 

Commands:

SJ Hall RN
Born 
Rank: Lt Cdr 
Honours and Awards: DSO, DSC (pre 1943) 
Died 
Other information 
- took up command of the first hellcats to be introducded to the FAA operational sqdns 
- provided escort for Operation Tungsten, attack against the German battleship Tirpitz in Kaa Fjord, 3.4.1944 
- involved in strikes on shipping off Norway, 5.1944 
- took part in the invasion of southern France, 8.1944 
- first Wing Leader 3rd  Naval Fighter Wing which became an Air Spotting Pool attached to the 2nd Tactical Air Force, Feb 1944
- seniority 2.1949 (Lt Cdr)

Commands:

800	July 1943	Sept 1944
3rd Naval Fighter Wing (808, 886, 885,897 sqdns)	Oct 1943	March 1944

NG Hallett RN
Born 
Rank: Lt Cdr 
Honours and Awards DSC and Bar (1945)
Died
Other information 
- first CO of 884 fulmar sqdn at Donibristle 
- operated at Turnhouse under RAF Coastal Command No. 14 Group. 
- took part in a Malta convoy, HMS Victorious, 7.1942 
- participated in the North African landings, 
- first Wing Leader of 24 Naval Fighter Wing  for service in HMS Indefatigable, working the squadron up for Norwegian ops but left for 3rd Wing before the Wing embarked in May 1944
- third Wing Leader of 3rd Naval Fighter Wing and was active during the D-Day Normandy invasion, 1944
- returned to 24th Wing as Wing Leader, 3.1945, for ops against the Japanese with the British Pacific Fleet, HMS Indefatigable.
- first Air Group Commander of 7th Carrier Air Group, 6.1945, HMS Indefatigable
- Led the Carrier Air Group of 4 squadrons in strikes over the Japanese mainland, 7.1945 
- seniority 12.1957 (C)

Commands:

884	Nov 1941	March 1943
24th Naval Fighter Wing (887, 849 sqdns)	Dec 1943	May 1944
3rd Naval Fighter Wing (808,885,886, 897 sqdns)	May 1944	July 1944
24th Naval Fighter Wing (887, 849 sqdns)	March 1945	June 1945	disbanded into 7th CAG
887	May 1945	Sept 1945
7th Carrier Air Group (887, 894, 820, 1770, 1772 sqdns/HMS Indefatigable)	June 1945	March 1946	disbanded

CMT Hallewell RN
Born 
Rank: Lt Cdr (A) 
Honours and Awards 
Died 
Other information 
- commanded 840 as part of the MAC ship duties, with MV Empire MacAndrew, 7.1943 
- seniority 9.1942 (Lt)
- WSR (Lt Cdr)

Commands:

840

April 1943

Aug 1943

disbanded

NS Hanson RNVR
Born 
Rank: Lt Cdr (A) 
Honours and Awards DSC (pre July 1945) 
Died 
Other information 
- involved in strikes aghainst shipping at Sabang,HMS Illustrious, Eastern Fleet, 4.1944 and 7.1944 
- strikes on Sourabaya, 5.1944 
- strikes on the Andaman islands, 6.1944 
- led sqdn in attacks against Japanese forces in Operation Meridian, Palembang,  29.1.1945 (1833 sdqn)
- led sqdn in attacks on Sakishima Gunto islands, 3-4, 1945

Commands:

1833

March 1944

July 1945

disbanded

AJD Harding RN
Born 
Rank: Lt Cdr (A) (1942) 
Honours and Awards: DSC (1941) 
Died 
Other information 
- pilot in 812 sqdn in HMS Glorious pre-war in the Mediterranean. 
- at the outbreak of war sailed with HMS Glorious to the Indian Ocean, returned with the ship with the threat of invasion in Norway, 4.1940 
- senior pilot in first sqdn operation of 812 sqdn against low countries, 5.1940 
- involved in Dunkirk evacuation, 812 sqdn 
- undertook series of mining and bombing operations duringthe german build up in the threat of invasion, 1940 (1942) 
- took up command of 823 sqdn on its reforming at Crail 
- participated in convoy escort duties, HMS Furious, 7.1942, 
- seniority 5.1942 (Lt Cdr)

Commands:

823

Nov 1941

Aug 1942

RE Hargreaves RN
Born 
Rank: Lt Cdr 
Honours and Awards 
Died 
Other information 
-took up command of the reformed 802 seafire sqdn at Arbroath 
- undertook sqdn duties on HMS Queen, a few days prior to VJ-Day.

Commands:

802

May 1945

End of WW2

JCM Harman RN
Born 
Rank: Lt Cdr 
Honours and Awards 
Died 
Other information 
- first CO of 886 fulmar sqdn at Donibristle 
- operating from Charlton Horethorne until the sqdn commenced duties under RAF Coastal Command at Turnhouse, 7.1942 
- seniority 10.1945 (Lt Cdr)

Commands:

886

March 1942

July 1942

TW Harrington RN
Born 
Rank: Lt Cdr (A) 
Honours and Awards DSC & Bar (post 1943) 
Died 
Other information 
- first CO of 1832 wildcat sqdn at Eglington 
- duties included forming figther flights for attachment to TBR sqdns in escort carriers. 
- first CO of 1844 hellcat sqdn at Eglington 
- served with the Eastern Fleet, HMS Begum, HMS Unicorn, Colombo racecourse and HMS Indomitable, 1944
- provided fighter cover and photo-recconaissance during attacks on Indaroeng and Emma Haven, Sumatra, HMS Indomitable, 8.1944
- Air Group Commander of 21st CAG, 1950

- seniority 6.1957 (C)

Commands:

1832	Aug 1943	Dec 1943
1844	Dec 1943	Sept 1944

BH Harriss RN
Born 
Rank: Lt Cdr (A) 
Honours and Awards 
Died 
Other information 
- joined the 879 sqdn in HMS Attacker for Ceylon 
- undertook operations against the Malay Peninsula, shortly berfore VJ-Day, 1945 
- after VJ-Day was involved in photo-reconnaissance and tactical reconnaissance sorties over Singapore, 5-6.9.1945 
- seniority 2.1951 (Lt Cdr)

Commands:

879

April 1945

End of WW2

JB Harrower RNR
Born 
Rank: Lt Cdr 
Honours and Awards 
Died 
Other information
- first CO of 855 avenger sqdn at Squantum 
- involved in patrols in the English Channel under RAF Coastal Command during D-Day Normandy invasion period, as part of No. 157 Wing 

Commands:

855

Feb 1944

Oct 1944

disbanded

JV Hartley RN
Born 
Rank: Lt (A) 
Honours and Awards 
Died 8.11.1942 
Other information 
- involved in convoy escort duties to Jamaica, HMS Furious, 9.1941 
- killed 8.11.1942 HMS Furious

Commands:

810

Sept 1941

Dec 1941

PH Havers RN
Born 
Rank: Lt Cdr 
Honours and Awards 
Died 27.3.1943 
Other information 
- co of sqdn operating from catapult armed merchant ships (CAM-ships) 
- members of the sqdn shot down Fw 200 from HMS Maplin, 3.8.1941 
- killed when HMS Dasher blew up 27.3.1943, only 149 of the 800 crew were saved.

A memorial to those killed on HMS Dasher has been erected at South Beach Promenade Ardrossan 

Commands:

804

March 1941

Feb 1942

RC Hay RM
Born Perth, Scotland 1916 
Rank: Major (1940), Captain (1942) Royal Marines 
Honours and Awards: DSO (5.1945), DSC (11.1941) & Bar (7.1945) 
Died : 
Other information
- Air Ace with 4 destroyed enemy aircraft, 9 shared destroyed and 3 shared damaged.
- took part in Norway operations HMS Ark Royal, 4.1940 (801 sqdn)
- claimed first victory (shared) , He111, on first operational sortie, 27.4.1940
- defence of English Channel during Dunkirk evacuation, 5.1940
- Wick defences as Fighter Command during Battle of Britain (808 sqdn)
- victories Dec 40-Feb 41 in Mediterranean HMS Ark Royal, total 7 destroyed and shared victories, awarded DSC 
- Commander Flying China Bay, Ceylon, Nov 1943 
- Second Wing Leader 6th Naval Fighter Wing, Eastern Fleet for operations with HMS Illustrious, 6.1944
- Wing Leader No 47 Naval Fighter Wing, 8.1944, HMS Victorious.
- led attacks on Palembang, Operation Meridian, as Air Co-ordinator, claimed 4 victories, 29.1.1945
- seniority 6.1955 (Cdr)

See biographies in "Aces High"and Men of the Battle of Britain".

Commands:

805	May 1940	May 1940
897	Aug 1942	Sept 1942
809	Aug 1942	June 1943
6th Naval Fighter Wing (1837 sqdn)	May 1944	Aug 1944	disbanded
47th Naval Fighter Wing (1834, 1836, 1837 sqdns)	Aug 1944	June 1945	disbanded into 1st CAG

HS Hayes RN
Born 
Rank: Lt Cdr 
Honours and Awards DSC & Bar (post Jan 1943) 
Died 
Other information 
- interned Sweden after ditching following attacking shipping at Tromso, 16.10.1940 (801 sqdn)
- carried out night mineing and bombing operations in the English Channel , under the control of RAF Coastal Command 
 - seniority 6.1955 (C)

Commands:

811

Feb 1942

Dec 1942

disbanded

GM Haynes RAN
Born 
Rank: Lt Cdr 
Honours and Awards DSO (post 1941)
Died 
Other information 
- in command of 828 sqdn, Hal Far, Malta carrying out attacks against Sicily and Libya. 
- combined with 830 sqdn to form the Naval Air Squadron, Malta, 26.3.1942, and inflicted considerable damage to Italian merchant shipping 
- seniority 5.1932 (Sub Lt Emy)
- WSR (Lt Cdr)

Commands:

828

Dec 1941

Nov 1942

RD Head RN
Born 
Rank: Lt Cdr (A) 
Honours and Awards DSC (pre 1943) 
Died 
Other information 
- first CO of 846 avenger sqdn at Quonset point 
- took part in anti-submarine patrols to Gibraltar, HMS Tracker, 1.1944 
- carried our patrols in Arctic convoys to Kola peninsula, HMS Tracker, 3-4.1944 when the sqdn attacked 6 U-boats 
- took part in operations off the Norwegian coast, HMS Trumpeter, 7 and 9.1944 

Commands:

846

March 1943

Oct 1944

PC Heath RN
Born 
Rank: Lt Cdr (A) 
Honours and Awards 
Died 
Other information 
- took command of 810 barracuda sqdn at Burscough after its return from the Eastern Fleet 
- carried out anti-shipping patrols with RAF Coastal Command throughout the remainder of 1945, including being involved in searching for enemy midget submarines in the Schelde area, 4.1945 

Commands:

810

Dec 1944

End of WW2

disbanded

JW Hedges RNVR
Born 
Rank: Lt Cdr (A) 
Honours and Awards 
Died 
Other information 
- first CO of 895 sea hurricane sqdn at Stretton 
- took up command of 804 sqdn at Eglington 

Commands:

895	Nov 1942	June 1943	disbanded
804	July 1943	Aug 1943

GR Henderson RNVR
Born 
Rank: Lt Cdr (A) 
Honours and Awards DSC (pre July 1944) 
Died 
Other information 
- joined 898 sqdn as part of the 7th Naval Fighter Wing at Eglington
- involved in convoy escort duties in the North Atlantic, HMS Searcher, 12.1943 
- provided fighter escort to the second strike on german battleship Tirpitz, in Operation Tungsten, HMS Searcher, 3.4.1944 
- involved in numerous shipping strikes off  the Norwegian coast, during which time the sqdn shot down 4 Bv 138s and 1 Fw 200, 5-6.1944 
involved in Gibraltar escort duties, 6.1944 
- became to CO of 882 when it amalgamated with 898 sqdn 5.7.1944 
- led the sqdn in 167 sorties in support of the landings by the US Army in the South of France, HMS Searcher, 7.1944 
- involved in carrying out 90 sorties during operations in the Aegean, 9.1944

Commands:

898	Oct 1943	July 1944	amalgamated with 882 sqdn
882	July 1944	Nov 1944

R McD Hill RNVR
Born 
Rank: Lt Cdr (A) 
Honours and Awards 
Died 
Other information 
- second Wing Leader of 3rd Naval Fighter Wing an Air Spotting Pool attached to the 2nd Tactical Air Force, from Feb 1944

Commands:

3rd Naval Fighter Wing (808, 886, 885,897 sqdns)

March 1944

May 1944

CGB Hodgkinson RN
Born 
Rank: Lt Cdr 
Honours and Awards 
Died 
Other information 
- took command of 820 to become the first sqdn to land on the new HMS Ark Royal, 1.1939 
- involved in searches for enemy shipping in the South Atlantic, Indian Ocean and Mediterranean 
- carried out attacks in the Norwegian campaign, after HMS Ark Royal was withdrawn for the defence of Norway, 4.1940 
- took part in torpedo attacks on French battleships at Oran, Cagliari and at Dakar, 1940 

Commands:

820

Jan 1939

Aug 1940

GFS Hodson RNR
Born 
Rank: Lt Cdr (A) 
Honours and Awards 
Died 
Other information
- led the sqdn in anti-submarine patrols protecting the Fleet during operation tungsten, strikes against the German battleship Tirpitz, HMS Fencer, 3.4.1944 
- provided escort to an Arctic convoy to Russia, during which attacks were made on 11 U-boats, sinking 3: - U-277, U-6774 and U-959, 1-2. 5.1944 
-took part in anti-submarine patrols during Operation Mascot, strike against german battleship Tirpitz, 7.1944 

Commands:

842

March 1944

Aug 1944

DAE Holbrook RN
Born 
Rank: Lt, Lt Cdr (1944) 
Honours and Awards 
Died [lost - in july 1944] 
Other information 
- aircrew in 834 sqdn, HMS Battler, 2.1944
- led 889 sqdn in offensive sweeps in the Bay of Bengal, HMS Atheling. 
- lost due to an accident [injured?][according to "The Squadrons of the FAA" by R Sturtivant. In 1969 was still listed in Navy List of Retired Officers. [not listed as casualty in Commonwealth War Graves Commission register] 
- seniority 11.1941 (Lt)

Commands:

889

June 1944

July 1944

Lost in July 1944 [injured?] - sqdn disbanded]

DJ Holman RN
Born 
Rank: Lt Cdr (A) 
Honours and Awards 
Died 
Other information 
- took command of 1770 firefly sqdn at Schofield, Australia until after VJ-Day 

Commands:

1770

June 1945

End of WW2

FHE Hopkins RN
Born 1910 British 
Rank: Lt Cdr 
Honours and Awards DSO (1942), DSC (1941) & Bar, MID (1941) 
Died 
Other information 
- joined RN as cadet, 1927
- served HMS Furious, 1928-1938
- took part in Dunkirk evacuation, 5.1940
- took part in Battle of Matapan
- involved in evacuation of Crete
- involved in Battle of Leyte Gulf
- served on USS Hancock and USS Intrepid, US Pacific Fleet, 1944-1945
post war unvolved in Korean War, HMS Theseus
- American Legion of Merit, 1948
- Order of Sword, Sweden, 1954 
- KCB (1964), C (1961) 
- seniority 3.1966 (Admiral)

See biography in "Who's who" 

Commands:

826	March 1940	April 1940
830	Dec 1941	June 1942

RDB Hopkins RN
Born 
Rank: Lt Cdr (A) 
Honours and Awards 
Died 
Other information 
- led sqdn in attacks against Japanese forces in Operation Meridian, Palembang, HMS Victorious, 29.1.1945 (1834 sqdn)
- involved in strikes as part of the British Pacific Fleet, against the Sakishima Gunto islands, 3-4.1945 

Commands:

1834

Oct 1944

April 1945

LA Hordern RNVR
Born 
Rank: Lt Cdr (A) 
Honours and Awards DSC (pre June 1944) 
Died 
Other information 
- joined the 7th Naval Fighter Wing, 11.1943 
poarticipated in Gibraltar convoy, HMS Pursuer, 2.1944 
- carried out escort patrols in the Operation Tungsten attack on the German battleship Tirpitz, HMS Pursuer, 3.4.1944 
- became CO of 881 when 896 sqdn was absorbed, 12.6.1944 
- undertook escort duties in June 1944, one enemy aircraft being shot down by the sqdn 
- undertook anti-shipping operations off Norway, HMS Fencer, 6.1944 
- led the sqdn during the landings in the South of France when 180 sorties were carried out, HMS Pursuer, 8.1944 
- involved in operations in the Aegean, 9.1944 

Commands:

896	Oct 1943	June 1944	disbanded and absorbed into 881 sqdn
881	June 1944	Oct 1944

M Hordern RN
Born 
Rank: Lt Cdr (A) 
Honours and Awards 
Died 
Other information 
- briefly commanded 888 sqdn for 1 month at Machrihanish 
- commanded 1832 wildcat sqdn at Stretton, whose task was to form fighter flights for escort carriers. 
- first CO of 1850 corsair sqdn at Brunswick
- joined the British Pacific Fleet in HMS Vengeance, and became part of the 13th Carrier Air Group. 
- saw no action in the Pacific theatre. 
- seniority 4.1949 (Lt Cdr)

Commands:

888	Oct 1943	Nov 1943	disbanded
1832	Dec 1943	June 1944	disbanded
1850	Aug 1944	End of WW2

FD Horne RN
Born 
Rank: Lt Cdr 
Honours and Awards: DSO (1940) 
Died 
Other information 
-first CO of 830 sqdn at Hal Far, Malta
- carried out a bombing attack on a U-Boat on 19.7.1940 
- BDS

Commands:

830

July 1940

Aug 1940

HCK Housser RCNVR
Born 
Rank: Lt Cdr 
Honours and Awards 
Died 
Other information 
- took command of 856 avenger sqdn at hatston and then onboard HMS Premier.
- mainly engaged in minelaying operations off the Norwegian coast
- involved in Arctic convoys to Russia, 4-5.1945 

Commands:

856

Jan 1945

June 1945

disbanded

RB Howarth RNVR
Born 
Rank: Lt Cdr (A) 
Honours and Awards 
Died 
Other information 
-the sqdn involved in the lasndings in Salerno, HMS Hunter, 8-9.1943 
- involved in the landings in the South of France, the sqdn flying 201 sorties from HMS Khedive, 8.1944
- attacked shipping in Crete and Rhodes, HMS Khedive, 9.1944

Commands:

899

Aug 1943

Nov 1944

PN Humphreys RN Born 1913 UK Rank: Lt Cdr  Honours and Awards Empire Gallantry Medal (EGM) [GC] Died 26.11.1943 Other information  - No 33 Observers course at Portsmouth and Ford, 1938 The following details are given in the London Gazette of 12th November, 1937 for the award of the Empire Gallantry Medal :-"For gallant and distinguished services rendered when H.M.S. Hunter was mined off Almeria on the coast of Spain on 13th May, 1937." The mining caused an explosion underneath the Stoker Petty Officers' and Torpedomen's Mess Decks, blowing away the ladder To reach the ratings on these decks this officer and four others under his command jumped down 8 ft. into 3 ft. of oil fuel. The ship appeared to be about to founder, and in an operation lasting from five to ten minutes, in imminent danger themselves of falling through these shattered mess decks, they dragged living and dead from under wreckage and out of the oil fuel, and passed them up on deck. Some of the rescued had swallowed oil fuel, others were severely burned, and all would undoubtedly have perished had they not been so quickly extricated" - killed 26.11.1943, HMS Daedalus, buried Maidstone, Kent Commands:  killed RAF 26.11.1943

PW Humphreys RN
Born 
Rank: Lt Cdr 
Honours and Awards 
Died 
Other information 
- on the outbreak of war was involved in anti submarine patrols in the South West Approaches, HMS Courageous.
- with the torpedoing and sinking of HMS Courageous, 17.9.1939, the sqdn was disbanded. 

Commands:

822

July 1939

Sept 1939

disbanded HMS Courageous sunk 17.9.1939

JG Hunt RN
Born 
Rank: Lt Cdr 
Honours and Awards 
Died 
Other information 
- took command of 830 sqdn at Hal Far, Malta and involved in attacking targets in Sicily and Libya
- Failed to return to Hal Far after an attack on two motor vesels west of Pantelaria, 11/12.11.1941
- seniority 3.1937 (Lt Cdr)
- WSR Cdr

Commands:

830

Sept 1941

Nov 1941

POW 11/12.11.1941

RG Hunt RN
Born 
Rank: Lt Cdr (A) 
Honours and Awards
Died 
Other information 
- first CO of 848 avenger sqdn at Quonset Point, USA
- sqdn attached to RAF Costal Command carrying out anti-shipping patrols in the English Channel

- seniority 9.1949 (Lt Cdr)

Commands:

848

June 1943

May 1944

HJ Hunter RCNVR
Born 
Rank: Lt Cdr 
Honours and Awards 
Died 
Other information 
- first CO of 1791 firefly sqdn, at Lee on Solent
-disbanded soon after VJ-Day 

Commands:

1791

March 1945

End of WW2

disbanded

BHStAH Hurle-Hobbs RN
Born 
Rank: Lt (A) 
Honours and Awards 
Died 
Other information 
- seniority 5.1942 (Lt Emy)
-temporarily held command of 891 sqdn for 1 week just before the disaster of HMS Dasher blowing up with heavy lost of life, 27.3.1943. 

Commands:

891

March 1943

March 1943

C Hutchinson RN
Born 1912 
Rank: Lt Cdr 
Honours and Awards 
Died 7.2.1943
Other information 
- involved in Malta convoys, HMS Eagle 1942
- survived sinking of HMS Eagle, 11.7.1942
- involve North Africa landings, 1942
- killed 7 Feb.1943 HMS Cormorant

Commands:

813

March 1942

Feb 1943

7.2.1943

OWG Hutchinson RNVR
Born 
Rank: Lt (A) 
Honours and Awards 
Died 
Other information
- first CO of 1702 sea otter sqdn, carrying out sea rescue duties at Hal Far
- carried out duties hunting for mines in the Eastern Mediterranean till 1946.

Commands:

1702

June 1945

End of WW2

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