808 Squadron commissioned as a RAN squadron at St Merryn in Cornwall, England, flying Hawker Sea Fury FB IIs and 817 squadron was commissioned at RNAS St Merryn, UK, as a RAN squadron equipped with Fairey Firefly Mk 5 aircraft.Both squadrons formed part of the 21st Carrier Air Group (CAG). This air group had been intended for the second carrier, to be named HMAS Melbourne, but she had been delayed and was not expected to be ready until 1951-52. HMAS Sydney returned to England to embark the 21st Carrier Air Group and arrived back in Australia in November 1950