Formed originally from the Seaplane Defence Flight, which was itself founded in June 1917 at Dunkirk, it was reorganized as No.

The squadron's official motto became, "Irritatus Lacessit Crabro" (The Hornet Attacks When Roused).

The squadron was reformed on 8 March 1937 flying Gloster Gauntlet IIs, converting to Hawker Hurricanes in January 1939 and flew throughout the war.

After the war, the squadron remained in the Middle East, first flying Hawker Tempests and then de Havilland Vampires.

It was stationed at Deversoir in the Suez Canal Zone from October 1948 till its disbandment there on 30 September 1954.