43(F) SQUADRON “THE FIGHTING COCKS” (Stirling’s own fighter squadron)

Sixty-five years ago in what is generally agreed to be the pivotal air battle of World War II, RAF Fighter Command, by beating the Luftwaffe, prevented the United Kingdom from falling under German occupation 

As we all know, this battle became known as the “Battle of Britain” and the pilots of the RAF (who were outnumbered by over 4 to1, came to be referred to, in Winston Churchill’s famous oratory, as “The Few”.   These brave men, ably supported by their ground crews, weathered the storm of the might of German air power and so prevented the invasion of our island.

On Saturday 4th June this year, the Fathers of the Royal City of Stirling are honouring No 43(F) Squadron one of the units that played a major role in that battle by conferring upon the current squadron the Freedom of the City.

No 43(F) Squadron, known as the "Fighting Cocks", was formed at Falleninch field, a long par four from the rock on which Stirling Castle stands.   Captain William Sholto Douglas RFC, who was later to become Marshal of the Royal Air Force Lord Douglas of Kirtleside, formed the unit in April 1916.   The Fighting Cocks have a proud history and since its formation in 1916 the squadron has seen active service in many parts of Europe and the Middle East

RAF Leuchars in Fife has effectively become home to the Squadron as it has been stationed there for forty-seven of its eighty-nine years of existence.   Apart from the squadron's United Kingdom defence role at Leuchars it has supported recent allied air operations in many other overseas areas, giving valuable air cover in Iraq and the Balkans, performing support operations in Lithuania, and also providing personnel for defence of the South Atlantic.

Some details of No 43(F) Squadron

Its Badge: A black gamecock - approved by HRH King Edward VIII in July 1936. The badge was developed from an unofficial design produced in 1926 when the Squadron was equipped with the Gloster Gamecock.

Its Motto: Gloria finis - 'Glory is the end'. The motto of the Brook family, Sqn Ldr AF Brook being the Squadron Commander from July 1925 to January 1928.

Its Battle Honours: Western Front 1917-1918, Arras, Ypres 1917, Cambrai 1917, Somme 1918, Lys, Amiens, Dunkirk, Battle of Britain 1940, Home defence 1940 -1942, Fortress Europe 1942, Dieppe, North Africa 1942-1943, Sicily 1943, Salerno, Italy 1943-1945, Anzio and Nettuno, Gustav Line, France and Germany 1944, Gulf 1991.