May 1941
Among the first aircrew to arrive at 404 was a complete crew transferred from 234 Squadron of the RAF: Pilot Sergeant Lacy, Observer Sergeant Shallcross and Wireless Operator Air Gunner (WAG) Sergeant Bell. P/Os Lown, Pearson, McLean, Garbutt and Wood, all from the flight School at RAF Cranwell, soon joined but were only on squadron two days before they were on their way to 2 (C) OTU at Catfoss. In addition, on 8 May, two senior aircraftsmen, F/S Maxon, Equipment Assistant, and Sgt Maidens, Fitter Aero Engine, arrived and commenced taking over squadron stores.
P/O JR Matthews joined the squadron on 11 May 1941. A Wireless Operator/ Air Gunner, he is seen entering a Blenheim just forward of the gunner's cupola.
Training did not wait until the squadron complement was complete, and almost from the very first day, squadron members embarked on a strenuous program of ground instruction. Lessons in cockpit drill, petrol and hydraulic systems became the norm as the new arrivals came to know the Blenheims that they would be flying. The ground school was followed by endless hours in the air learning the idiosyncrasies of this aircraft and honing their skills for that day when 404 Squadron would become operational.
This hard work was not without its cost. The first prang by the squadron occurred on May 21 when Blenheim L6393 made a hard landing in the mud at the end of the aerodrome. The aircraft was wrecked, but the pilot, Sgt McLean, escaped with only cuts and bruises while the WAG, Sgt McElman, broke his leg. A Fitter, Cpl Walls , who was flying with the crew escaped with minor injuries and likely a somewhat less than favourable opinion of aircrew.
On 24 May, 17 Flight Mechanic 'E' technicians from Wittering were posted to the unit.
June 1941
At the beginning of the month, the influx of new personnel continued from 3 PRC. On 1 June, DH Inglis, GDC Bell, IAM Barber, WE Dale, JG MacKay, RK McKay and RF Leighton arrived, followed two days later by JG Dunlop, TW Coy, EG Allen, J Shaw and Hanson. While this in itself may not seem note worthy, it is an unfortunate historical note that of these aircrew, eight of the twelve were killed within eight months.
Training continued at a furious pace until the squadron was ordered to move to Castletown, Caithness, Scotland, on 20 June 1941, and would be operating under the control of 18 Group. The entire move, accomplished by air, rail and truck, took a mere three days. This event, however, was not without incident as was recorded in the squadron scrapbook:
"June 22 - Sgt Lacy and crew attempted to return (from Thorney Is) but had to land at Usworth owing to very bad thunderstorm. This was later questioned by the blokes at Castletown as they considered it a wrangle. The aircraft had to be unloaded on account of the size of the 'drome and transported by road to Oustom."
"June 23 - Sgt Lacy and crew pulled another fast one and looked up Sgt Shallcross's WAAF Sergeant at Dyce! Spending a night there and an enjoyable evening in Aberdeen. NOTE: This should not be allowed as the morale of the remainder at Castletown will suffer very badly.
"
"June 24 - Sgt Lacy and crew decided to return to Castletown - probably ran out of money."
With the last crew finally on the ground in Castletown, the squadron got back to business and continued to train towards becoming operational.
