97 (Straits Settlements) Squadron can trace its origins back to December 1917 when it was formed at RFC Waddington, Lincolnshire. During the last few months of the Great War, it operated as a heavy bomber unit, flying Handley Page 0/400s from airfields in France. The Squadron was disbanded in India, in April 1920. 97 was reformed in September 1935, when the Squadron was equipped with Heyford, Anson and Whitley aircraft before being disbanded again, in June 1940. Reforming as the second Avro Manchester Squadron, at Waddington, in February 1941, 97 moved to Coningsby in March, where it converted to Avro Lancasters in January 1942, again the second unit to operate the type. A move was made to Woodhall Spa in March 1942, where the Squadron operated for a year before moving to Bourn {Cambs) and Pathfinder Force. The last year of the war was spent at Coningsby. Post-war 97 operated Avro Lincolns from Hemswell, was a Thor Missile unit, also at Hemswell, and for a short period in the sixties, operated Varsity, Canberra and Hastings aircraft from Wyton.