No. 625 Squadron RAF

No. 625 Squadron RAF was a heavy bomber squadron of the Royal Air Force during the Second World War.

History
The squadron was formed on 1 October 1943 at RAF Kelstern, Lincolnshire from 'C' flight of 100 Squadron. It was equipped with Avro Lancasters, as part of No. 1 Group RAF in Bomber Command, of which it formed part between 18 October 1944 and 25 April 1945. The squadron mainly carried out night raids against Germany. On 5 April 1945, it moved to RAF Scampton. At the end of the war, the squadron dropped food to the starving Dutch people (Operation Manna), and flew Prisoner of War repatriation flights from Belgium (Operation Exodus) and repatriated British troops from Italy, before it was disbanded on 7 October 1945.

In December 2010 the entire 625 Squadron Operational Records (ORB) and an Air Crew Roll Of Honour was compiled into a searchable database - contact www.lancaster-archive.com for more information

First operational mission
18–19 October 1943
 * 9 Lancasters bombed Hanover

Last operational mission
25 April 1945
 * 11 Lancasters bombed Obersalzberg

Last mission before V.E. (Victory of Europe) Day
7 May 1945
 * 13 Lancasters dropped supplies to Dutch at Rotterdam and another Lancaster aborted

Squadron bases
The squadron memorial stands near the village of Kelstern. It was erected in 1964 and was the first to be erected to the memory of a single squadron.

Notable members

 * David Mattingley, DFC
 * Robert Byron Pattison, DFC
 * Donald Fairborn DFC
 * Francis Aldred
 * William Stuart Telford, DFC
 * Edward Norman (Ted) Bell, Distinguished Flying Cross, Australia.
 * James King law
 * Flt. Lt. Burford (Skipper, Kelstern 44-45)
 * F/S Tony Gilbert (Rear Gunner, Kelstern 44-45)
 * Sgt. Forder (Engineer, Kelstern 44-45)
 * F/O Lines (B/A, Kelstern 44-45)
 * F/S Hood (Navigator, Kelstern 44-45)
 * Sgt Baker (Mid Upper, Kelstern 44-45)
 * F/S David Bernard Colebrooke (Bomb Aimer Kelstern 44-45)
 * Flt. Lt. AB Fulbrook DFC (Pilot, Kelstern, 44-45)