It was first formed as part of the Royal Flying Corps in January 1918 as a fighter squadron, serving on home defence duties for the rest of the First World War., before being disbanded in 1920.

One of 141 Squadron's Bristol fighters, flown by pilot Lieutenant Edward Turner and gunner Air Mechanic Henry Barwise, shot down a Gotha G.V bomber that had previously been damaged by a Bristol Fighter of 143 Squadron, with both Turner and Barwise being awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for that night's operations.

[13] In April 1940, the squadron reequipped with Boulton Paul Defiants, moving to RAF West Malling, Kent on 10 July.

The losses convinced RAF Fighter Command that the Defiant was unsuitable for operations over the South of England, and 141 Squadron was ordered back to Scotland on 21 July.

From 1943, it changed roles again to long range intruder operations with Beaufighters over occupied Europe, using the Serrate radar detector, while based at RAF West Raynham in Norfolk.

[17] Its final incarnation was as a Bloodhound surface to air missile unit at RAF Dunholme Lodge from 1 April 1959 until 31 March 1964.