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Auction: 20003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 303

'My Flight Commander, Flight Lieutenant B. K. D. Robertson, assumed responsibility for me as his pupil. Brian was a fine example of what a good instructor should be. An excellent Pilot, calm and precise, and possessing a more than ample fund of patience, while his manner at all times would be cheerful and full of confidence.'

Air Commodore D'Arcy Greig on Robertson in My Golden Flying Years

A Great War A.F.C. group of five awarded to Squadron Leader B. K. D. Robertson, Royal Flying Corps, Royal Air Force, late Gloucestershire Regiment

Air Force Cross, G.V.R.; British War and Victory Medals (Capt. B. K. D. Robertson. R.F.C.); Territorial Force War Medal 1914-19 (2. Lieut. B. K. D. Robertson. Glouc. R.); Defence Medal 1939-45, good very fine (5)

A.F.C. London Gazette 1 January 1919.

Brian Kyte David Robertson was born on 25 May 1897 at Horfield, Bristol and enlisted in the 2/6th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment on 4 May 1914. Commissioned 2nd Lieutenant on 10 September, he served in France from February 1916 as a Machine Gun Officer. Transferred to the Royal Flying Corps, Robertson was qualified as an Observer on 16 May 1917 and was sent to No. 19 Squadron, Flying Corps. The unit were equipped with Spad S.VIIs on reconnaisannce missions and Robertson was soon into the action. The Squadron Record Book records his activities in the autumn of that year, including an engagement over Tourcoing on 11 September when in a battle with two enemy aircraft which they drove off to the east, returning 'considerably shot about'. Just three days later they were dived upon by a formation of enemy, one of which they managed to attack and drive down damaged. Similar hot action continued, when Robertson may have accounted for an enemy aircraft over Ghulevelt on 18 October. It was relentless for the airmen of the Royal Flying Corps and it can be no surprise he was posted sick on 14 November:

'Greatly troubled with sleeplessness, loss of appetite and constantly on edge. Is not sleeping well, occasional nightmares about crashes. Has not lost confidence in his ability to fly but finds himself worrying the machine may fall to pieces, is affected by seeing numerous crashes at the Aerodrome.

Returned to action by May 1918, he was reported 'much improved' and the award of his A.F.C. followed soon after War's end.

Promoted Flight Lieutenant on 3 July 1923, Robertson was made a Flying Instructor (A1) in 1924, before serving with No. 84 Squadron at Shaibah from 1925-27. On the Staff of HQ Coastal Area in 1929, Robertson retired to Edinburgh in October 1936. He volunteered for work with the National Fire Service in Edinburgh during the Second World War and was Secretary of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society. He died on 3 December 1961; sold together with copied service record, extracts and photographs.

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Sold for
£2,300

Starting price
£1300