7SQN

Flower 🌺 of Remembrance pin

Dimensions 35mm x 35mm

Rear fastener 2 x black rubber stopper

Made from high quality, metals and enamels

Free UK Postage and packaging ( Second Class )

Worldwide postage will be added at checkout for your Country.

No. 7 Squadron was formed at Farnborough Airfield on 1 May 1914 as the last squadron of the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) to be formed before the First World War,^[3] but has been disbanded and reformed several times since, the first being after only three months of existence,^[4] the latter as early as 28 September 1914.^[5] The squadron spent most of the First World War in observation and interception roles and was responsible for the first ever interception of an enemy aircraft over Britain.^[6] It deployed to France in April 1915, flying Royal Aircraft Factory R.E.5s for reconnaissance and Vickers Gunbuses as escort fighters. Captain John Aidan Liddell of 7 Squadron won the Victoria Cross for his actions on 31 July 1915, when he continued his reconnaissance mission over Belgium after the aircraft was hit by ground fire, the aircraft being badly damaged and Liddell suffering a broken thigh. Although he successfully recovered the R.E.5 to allied lines, saving his observer, he died of his wounds a month later.^[7][8]

The squadron re-equipped with B.E.2s in 1916,^[7] which it used for both bombing and reconnaissance during the Battle of the Somme that year.^[9] The B.E.2s were replaced by R.E.8s in July 1917, continuing in the reconnaissance role for the rest of the war, operating over Ypres in the summer and autumn of 1917 and in support of Belgium forces in the closing months of the war. It disbanded at the end of 1919