Formed at Dier-el-Belah, Palestine on 1 August 1917 as the first dedicated fighter squadron in the region, its two main tasks were to restrict enemy reconnaissance flights and counter the increasing German fighter threat over the Suez. Before the begining of WWII, No 111 received Gladiators, and in January 1938 the unit had the distinction of becoming the first Hurricane squadron. The Squadron flew as part of both No. 11 and 12 Groups during the Battle of Britain and replaced its Hurricanes with Spitfires in April 1942. In November the unit moved to Gibraltar in preparation for Operation Torch - the invasion of North Africa - where it supported the 1st Army through Algeria and Tunisia before moving to Malta in June 1943 to cover the invasion of Sicily. With the Allies advancing through Italy, No 111 moved with them, remaining there until the end of WWII.

In front of two swords in saltire, a cross potent quadrat, charged with three seaxes fesswise in pale - approved by HRH King Edward VIII in October 1936. The cross commemorates First World War operations in Palestine, the seaxes signify its Essex base, and the swords signify London, the unit being part of the capital's defences when the badge was designed.