The Whitley in the field with F/O Robertson on the wing (photo Mr D. Birrell). The above photograph was found on a website detailing the pilot's life and flying career, the webpage was put together by his son-in-law Mr Dave Birrell and contains a wealth of information on the pilot and life in the early years of the War in Bomber Command in Yorkshire with some of this reproduced below. "http://www.lancastermuseum.ca:80/s,robertson.html".

A modern day photograph of the site.

Stewart Robertson was born Ogema, Saskatchewan but his family moved to Calgary where he went to school. He worked for the Royal Bank of Canada for nearly two years before leaving for England and being accepted into the RAF at the end of May 1937. He began training at 2 FTS on 12th July 1937 flying a Blackburn B2 solo in eleven days, he left here on 4th September 1937 and continued his training. He was awarded his Wings on 3rd January 1938. Prior to the war he is reported to have flown a number of aircraft in differing roles gaining flying experience. He would eventually solo the Whitley for the first time on 24th February 1940 probably with a training unit in the UK. He force-landed one in March 1940 at Upavon but its identity is yet to be discovered. He was posted to 10 OTU in April 1940 and completed his training. He was then posted to "B" Flight, 51 Squadron on 20th May 1940 and flew his first Operational flight on 24th May 1940 acting as second pilot to S/Ldr Richard Wildey and in the next twenty seven days they completed thirteen operational flights. On 17th June his aircraft suffered engine trouble on return from Gelsenkirchen, he was able to return to base on one engine. One flight was to Turin, using the Channel Islands as a forward landing ground, the aircraft's port engine iced up before crossing the Alps so he returned early. Following these flights with 51 Squadron he was given three weeks leave and he and his then crew transferred to 78 Squadron at Dishforth on 19th July 1940.

His first flight with 78 Squadron was on the night he arrived, his aircraft was attacked by two fighters and heavy AA fire was reported. He completed a further twenty five operational flights with 78 Squadron and thus completed a Tour. He was later awarded a DFC for "gallantry and devotion to duty in the execution of air operations" the recommendation also stated that "this officer has completed 29 operational flights over enemy territory at night. In all circumstances he has exhibited a high degree of resolution and skill. His determined and cheerful demeanour have set a valuable example to other members of the squadron." His DFC was presented by King George VI on 8th February 1941. In late November 1940 he was posted to 10 OTU at Abington and training to be an instructor at 24 CAOS at Moffat, Rhodesia. Whilst stationed here he married in November 1941. He returned to England in October 1942 as a Squadron Leader, he commanded "B" Flight of 149 Squadron at Lakenheath flying Stirlings where he completed his second Tour and was posted to 81 OTU at Tilstock in March 1943, having completed 44 operational flights. Now a W/C, he was involved in an accident on 26th August 1943. He was in the control tower at Steap, a satellite airfield of Tilstock, when Whitley HF628 crashed into it, two on the aircraft were killed and he and five others were injured. A re-organisation of the RAF would then see 81 OTU transfer to 38 Group leading up to the D-Day landings. He took command of the Unit and saw out the War in this role and would later return home to Canada. On 19th March 1948 he joined 403 RCAF Reserve Squadron until December the following year when he made his final flight in a Mustang. He had flown 19 different types of aircraft and had amassed 1887 hours flying time.

Sgt Robert Collinge was Mentioned in Despatches on as yet unknown date. He was later posted to 35 Squadron and on 26th July 1941 when he and all on board Halifax L9507 were killed when the aircraft crashed in Germany on Ops to Berlin. The whole of his crew on this flight are buried in Berlin War Cemetery. He was twenty two years old. I thank Mr Graham Sharpe for the photograph of his gravestone.

Norman McLeod (pictured above) received a commission to P/O on Probation on 7th April 1940. He was posted from 78 Squadron to the CGS in September 1940 to undertake a gunnery training course and later returned to 78 Squadron. He was promoted to F/O on 7th April 1941 and later to F/Lt on 7th April 1942. On 24th July 1941 he was flying with 76 Squadron in Halifax L9529 when the aircraft was badly damaged by enemy aircraft while attacking the Scharnhorst at La Pallice. He was able to bale out before the aircraft crashed but became a PoW. Post-WW2 he continued his service until May 1956 when he relinquished his commission, retaining his rank of Flight Lieutenant.