WW1 RFC & RAF AFC FIGHTER PILOT MEDAL GROUP SQUADRON LEADER ROBERTSON 19 SQN

Offered is a Royal Flying Corps medal group to Squadron Commander Robertson, who was a pre-war Territorial serving as a Lance Corporal in the Gloucestershire Regiment, who then was commissioned and served in France as an infantry officer before transferring to the R.F.C as an observer in a B.E.2c (Battle of the Somme). He qualified as a pilot and was involved in 3 months of intense fighting flying a Spad S.VIIS. during the 3^rd Battle Ypres (Passchendaele).

The group consists of Air Force Cross, G.V.R.; British War and Victory Medals, impressed named Capt. B. K. D. ROBERTSON. R.F.C.; Territorial Force War Medal 1914-19, impressed named 2. Lieut. B. K. D. ROBERTSON. GLOUC. R.; Defence Medal 1939-45, un named as issued. Mounted for display. Comes with extensive research and copies of: M.I.C, medal rolls, Army service papers, R.A.F. service papers, London Gazettes, photographs, 9 & 19 Squadron logs, medical reports and obituary.

A.F.C. London Gazette 1 January 1919. Note there were only 679 A.F.C. awarded 1918 – 19.

Squadron Leader Brian Kyte David Robertson was born on 25/5/1897 at Horfield, Bristol, he was educated at Sexey’s School Bruton and enlisted 4/5/1914 with the 6th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment, he was an apprentice Engineer at the time. The Battalion was embodied 5/8/14 but since he had just turned 17 he was retained in England with the 2/6^th Battalion. Attended and passed a Machine Gun Course Colchester 7/6/1915. Commissioned 2nd Lieutenant on 10/9/1915 to the 3/6 Gloucestershire Regiment which was a home service training Battalion.

His obituary states that he served in France from February 1916 as a Machine Gun Officer with the Worcester Regiment however it is more probable that it was with the Gloucester’s. After 3 months he transferred to the Royal Flying Corps and qualified as an Observer on 16 May 1916 and was sent to No. 9 Squadron, R.F.C which was equipped with the B.E.2c. He attended and passed another Machine Gun Course 12 – 29 June 1916. Robertson flew reconnaissance and artillery spotting missions during the Battle of the Somme in 1916, assisting XIII Corps on the first day.

After 10 months service in France as an observer, he attended pilot’s school and qualified as a Pilot 16/5/1917 (Certificate 7405) being posted to No 19 Squadron R.F.C. August 1917. The squadron was equipped with single seater Spad S.VII’s based at Poperinghe.

The Squadron Record Book records his activities 31/8/ - 12/11/1917, 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. Promoted to Captain 19/10/1917.

Buy this stage combat fatigue was setting in and he was evacuated to England 18/11/1917 being '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’.

He remained in England becoming a flying instructor training such notables as the future Air Commodore D'Arcy Greig, who mentions Robertson in his book ‘My Golden Flying Years’.

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.' He was awarded the Air Force Cross in the New Years honours list 1/1/1919, for his instructing activities.

He returned to France 17/1/1919 to the 24^th Squadron (Fighters) and was demobilised 31/3/1919. He was granted a Commission in the R.A.F 1/11/1921 and served in Shaibah, Iraq 1925 – 27 (No 84 Squadron), Staff HQ Coastal Area 1929, promoted Squadron leader 1/2/1932 retiring from the R.A.F 24/10/1936 on ill health. During WW2 Robertson served with the National Fire Service, Edinburgh District (awarded Defence Medal) and died on the 3/12/1961 in Edinburgh.