On 6th August 1940 this 616 Squadron aircraft was damaged on a patrol over the North Sea twenty miles north east of Flamborough Head when, at 17.00hrs, the pilot sighted a lone Junkers Ju88. He attacked the enemy aircraft but was damaged by it's returning fire. The Spitfire returned safely to Leconfield and was soon repaired.
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 commision 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.
Spitfire R6702 was built to contract 19713/39 by Vickers Armstrong's (Supermarine) Ltd at Woolston and was first test flown on 7th June 1940. It was flown to 8 MU at Little Rissington on the same day. Two days later it was taken on charge by 616 Squadron at Leconfield. On 6th August 1940 it sustained Cat.M/FB in the battle damage detailed above. It was repaired on site but damaged but damaged again five days later when another Spitfire struck it, sustaining Cat.R/GA. It was deemed too badly damaged to be repaired on site and on 17th August 1940 it was taken to General Aircraft Ltd at Hanworth, for repair in works. On 15th September 1940 it was flown to 12 MU at Kirkbride and four days later it was taken on charge by 41 Squadron at Hornchurch before being transferred to 222 Squadron at Hornchurch five days later. On 27th September 1940 it was being used in the Battle of Britain and was shot down on a patrol over Maidstone by Bf109's and crashed near Wennington, Rainham, Essex at 12.00hrs. The pilot on this occasion being seriously injured. Cat.W/FB damage was recorded but the aircraft was taken to AST Ltd at Hamble where it was struck off charge.