Originally Posted by
ericferret
As one of the founding squadrons of the RAF from 1918 I am not sure how you can get anymore senior. Formed 31/12/1916 as number 7 (Naval) squadron. You could go for a lower number but of course all the really low numbers up to about 144 are ex-army.
Still if you chuck some water about the landscape and have a really high number you are good to go forever. Well almost, only 5 years disbanded since 1943!!!!
The AHB can explain at some length...
Seniority is based upon accumulated service (and up until 1957 ish, upon some other factors), so the reduction in the size of the RAF in the aftermath of WW1 meant that a significant number of squadrons disappeared and didn't reform until the 1930s; those which survived the peace dividend 1919 style thus gained a considerable advantage. Service as an RFC or RNAS numberplate counts towards current seniority, not just the post-1918 period, though.
617 (and 120) were awarded their standards ahead of the 25 year accumulated service qualifying period at the behest of HM King George VI and this special seal of royal approval has invariably trumped seniority, as a number of the files in the National Archives demonstrate, most of which contain phrases along the lines of 'under the rules, 617, as the most junior numberplate would disband, but because of its special status [referring to the early standard award], this is inappropriate and [insert number of next most junior squadron] will disband instead'