Our story starts on 11th February 1917, when authority was given to mobilise 100 Squadron at South Farnborough as the first night bomber squadron of the Royal Flying Corps.
At this time 51 Squadron, based at Hingham in Norfolk, was the only unit in the Home Defence Wing operating the Fe2b – a strange and elderly aircraft with a top speed of 81 mph and a ceiling of 11,000ft. 51 Squadron was tasked with providing the training for the 100 Squadron pilots and observers at Hingham.
On 23rd February, 100 Squadron officially came into existence at South Farnborough under the command of Major M G Christie, CMG, DSO, MC.
On the 21st March, the Squadron set out for France and the Western Front.
100 Squadron, formed from Squadrons of the Home Defence Wing, was the first night bombing unit to be deployed on the Western Front.