1 Squadron was one of the first three military aviation units to be formed for the new Royal Flying Corps on 13 May 1912. The Squadron moved to Octeville in France on 9 September 1939. From here, patrols were undertaken over the coastal ports during the next month as ships carrying the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) to the continent sailed across the Channel.
Group Captain Billy Drake was a member of 1 Squadron at this time; although he was shot down and wounded on 13 May 1940, he was to end the war as the most successful of this outstanding group of fighter pilots.
These recollections have been compiled from interviews given to the BBC as preparation for the programme 'Billy and the Fighter Boys', to be broadcast in February 2004. They have been added to the site with Billy's permission and he is fully aware of the site's terms and conditions.
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