55 Squadron was formed during the First World War at Castle Bromwich, West Midlands, on 27 April 1916; 108 years ago (1916-04-27).

[4] It initially operated as a training unit, flying a mixture of aircraft types, including the Avro 504, Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2, and the Armstrong Whitworth F.K.8, but in January 1917 it changed its role to a day-bomber squadron, and re-equipped with the Airco DH.4, being the first squadron to receive the new light bomber.

[1][5][6][7] It took these to the Western Front in France on 6 March that year as part of 9th Wing, flying its first bombing mission against Valenciennes railway station on 23 April 1917 in support of the Battle of Arras.

[8] Having been based at Tantonville where muddy conditions hampered operations, it moved at the beginning of June 1918 to Azelot.

[1] It started to receive more capable Airco DH.9As in June 1920, and was equipped with a mixture of DH.9s and DH.9As when it transferred to Turkey onboard HMS Ark Royal in July to support the 'Q Force' of the British Army who were defending Constantinople and the Dardanelles.

[16] It remained in Iraq for 19 years, on occasion flying air policing operations against rebelling tribesmen.

[17] The squadron continued in support of the Eighth Army for the remainder of the North African campaign.

[1][17] The squadron moved to Hassani in Greece in September 1945,[1] replacing its Bostons with de Havilland Mosquitos in June 1946.

[17] 55 Squadron provided aerial tanker support during Operation Corporate, the Falklands War in 1982.

[1] This notably included the Operation Black Buck raids on Stanley Airfield, where alongside 57 Squadron, its fellow Victor squadron, they refuelled Avro Vulcan bombers multiple times to allow them to reach the Falkland Islands from Ascension Island,[1] at that time the longest bombing raid in history.

[1][25] The Dominie T.1 was withdrawn from service, and the squadron disbanded, when WSO and WSOp training ended on 20 January 2011.