During the night of 19th July 1940 this 616 Squadron aircraft struck an unidentified object on landing at Leconfield airfield. The identity
of the aircraft appears not to have been recorded in the squadron records. The damage must have been repaired because there were no
written off aircraft which could relate to this incident.
Pilot - S/Ldr Marcus Robinson RAF(Aux) (90161).
Marcus Robinson was born in May 1912 and joined 602 (Aux.) Squadron in September 1933 and in June 1938 he had risen to Flight Commander. The date of his
commission and promotions upto F/Lt are not yet known. He rose to S/Ldr (temporary) on 1st June 1940 and was the Commanding Officer of 616 Squadron at the
time of this incident detailed above. He was later posted to command No.1 Service Flying Training School and was awarded the Air Force Cross, Gazetted on
30th September 1941. Hugh Halliday's research into airforce awards has found the recommendation for this award which reads.."As Officer Commanding the
Advanced Training Squadron, this officer has shown great devotion to duty and the excellent example he has set has materially contributed to the successful
work of the squadron. He has maintained a high standard of flying training." He rose to W/C (temporary) on 1st March 1942 and W/C Robinson was later posted to command 15 (Pilot) Advanced Flying Unit where he was awarded the Bar to Air Force Cross, Gazetted on 1st January 1944. Again Mr Halliday's research found a draft citation and at this time he had flown 826 instructional hours (with 239 hours in previous six months). The citation reads.."Wing Commander Robinson has been Chief Instructor at the unit since April 1942. He is an exceptionally hard working officer who sets a high standard of efficiency and ability to get the best from his instructors." He survived the War and rose to W/C (war subs) on 4th July 1945 from W/C (temporary). He remained in the Auxiliary Air Force and was appointed to a commission in the reconstituted Auxiliary Air Force on 1st August 1946 and given command of 602 Squadron (City of Glasgow) having relinquished his commission of W/C (but retaining the rank of G/C) in the RAF. He transferred to the Reserve on 1st September 1940 and reliquished his command of 602 Squadron and then relinquished his commission on 27th May 1956 and thus left the forces. He died in March 1998.
