The Airmen's Stories - Sgt. B L Robertson

Basil Lionel Robertson of Portslade, Sussex was born in 1921 in Gloucestershire, the son of Fredrick John and Violet Maud Robertson.

He joined the RAFVR in May 1939 as an Airman u/t Pilot.

Called up on 1st September 1939, he completed his training and joined 54 Squadron at Hornchurch on 22nd August 1940.

His subsequent service is currently undocumented until he was killed on 12th February 1942 as a Warrant Officer with 137 Squadron, operating Whirlwinds from Matlask.

Between 11th and 13th February 1942 the German Navy took advantage of very poor weather and the jamming of British coastal radar to force a passage through the English Channel for their battleships Scharnhorst and Gneisenau and the cruiser Prinz Eugen. Apart from their own armament the capital ships were protected by 6 destroyers, 40 flak ships and more than 200 fighter aircraft.

All available RAF and RN forces, including obsolete aircraft, were sent against this force once it had been detected.

Robertson was shot down by Me109s in Whirlwind I P7107.

Robertson was 20. His name is on the Runnymede Memorial, panel 73.

He is also commemorated on his parents' grave at St. John the Baptist, Crowthorne, Berkshire.

Above image courtesy of Dean Sumner.