Operation: Training
Date: 16th January 1943 (Saturday)
Unit: No. 65 Squadron, 13 Group (motto: Vi et armis – ‘By force and arms’)
Type: Spitfire Vb
Serial: AR403 (1)
Code: YT-?
Base: RAF Drem, East Lothian, Scotland
Location: Near Wedderlie House, Westruther
Pilot: Sgt. Malcolm Eric Edward Robertson, NZ/413480, RNZAF, age 20 – Killed
REASON FOR LOSS
Taking off from RAF Drem at 15:40 hrs on an acrobatic training exercise, the aircraft failed to return. It was not until four days later that the burnt-out wreckage was found in the grounds of Wedderlie House, Westruther. It appears that, fifty minutes after take-off, the aircraft dived vertically out of the cloud and into the ground.
Sadly, Sgt. Malcolm Robertson was killed in the crash. He was laid to rest at Craigton Cemetery, Glasgow. However, in 2012, following an expert anthropological examination, further human remains were found at the crash site. These remains were positively identified as belonging to Sgt. Robertson. These remains were reinterred during a ceremony with “the honour and dignity” befitting a pilot at Sgt. Robertson's grave in 2013. An initial crash inspection in 1943 recovered parts of a uniform, dog tags and a single flight boot, which were interred at Craigton Cemetery in Glasgow, following a wartime board of inquiry. Sgt. Robertson was just 21 years old. An exhibition of artefacts from Spitfire AR403 was held near Edinburgh to help raise funds for a memorial to Sgt. Robertson.
From the BBC, 27th June 2012;
Police have begun a search for human remains at the site of a World War II Spitfire crash in the Borders. A group specialising in the excavation and recovery of WWII aircraft found human bones at Westruther near Greenlaw in Berwickshire last week. A Spitfire crashed in the area in 1943, and the 20-year-old pilot, Sgt Malcolm Robertson from the Royal New Zealand Air Force, was killed.
Det Supt Lesley Boal said forensic testing would identify the remains.
"Our primary objective is to safely and securely undertake a dignified recovery of any other human remains present at the previously excavated site," she said.
"While we are unable to confirm identification at the moment, the next of kin of the deceased pilot have been contacted, and we will continue to keep them updated."
Trained body recovery officers from Lothian and Borders Police are working with anthropologists from Dundee University.
An initial report has been submitted to the Scottish Fatalities Investigation Team of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.
Police also said they would continue to liaise with the Ministry of Defence.
BURIAL DETAILS
Sgt. Malcolm Eric Edward Robertson is buried in Craigton Cemetery, Glasgow, Grave 219.
Left his grave and transcribed;
In Loving Memory Of
Jessie Downie
Beloved Wife Of Rev. Peter Smith
Govan Congregational Church
Died 2Nd March 1919 Aged 67 Years
And Of The Above
Rev. Peter Smith
Born 8Th May 1852 Died 24Th October 1934
Sgt. Pilot Malcolm Robertson
R.N.Z.A.F.
Killed 16Th January 1943 Aged 20 Years
Marion Murray Simpson
Died 18Th April 1946 Aged 55 Years
Beloved Wife Of
William Stewart Smith
S.E.O. (Civil Service)
Died 22Nd March 1969
MICAH 6 AND 8. 1 PETER 3 AND 15.
Born on 21st June 1922 at Wellington, New Zealand. uckland. He began aircrew training in June 1941, progressing through Initial Training Wing (Levin), Elementary Flying Training School (Whenuapai), and Service Flying Training School (Ohakea), where he earned his Flying Badge and was promoted to sergeant in late 1941. He embarked for the UK in November 1941, arriving in February 1942.
After further training in England and Wales, he converted to Spitfires and joined No. 243 Squadron (Ouston, then Turnhouse near Edinburgh), flying six operations, including interception flights and a North Sea patrol. He was posted to No. 65 Squadron at Drem, East Lothian, in September 1942. A total of 358 flying hours were logged, including 170 hours on the Spitfire. He had completed 6 operational sorties.
Son of Charles Robertson and of Hilma Elvira Robertson (née Fogelberg - - died 1972, age 79), of 18 Overtoun Terrace, Hataitai, Wellington.
SOURCES AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
- Errol Martyn 'For Your Tomorrow Vol. 1-3
- New Zealand Cenotaph
- Jennifer of New Zealand (family name withheld by request)
- Commonwealth War Graves Commission
- Aircrew Remembered Archives
- BBC News United Kingdom
- (Spitfire AR403 was an Mk Vb built by Westland Aircraft under licence. The aircraft was fitted with the signature Merlin 45 engine and armed with two 20mm cannons and four .303 machine guns. On 11 April 1942, she was delivered to the 38 maintenance unit and then joined the 131 Squadron. She then went to 165 Squadron based at Llanbede. In August, the squadron moved south to Gravesend and started operational sweeps against the Luftwaffe over Northern France. Next, she was transferred to the 65 Squadron. On 16 January 1943, AR403, piloted by New Zealander Sgt. Malcolm Robertson, was on a training flight over southern Scotland. The exercise was to practice climbing and aerobatic manoeuvres. However, during one of these manoeuvres, the Spitfire was reported to have dived vertically out of the cloud. It crashed into the grounds of Wedderlie House, catching fire on impact.
Compiled from official National Archive and service sources, contemporary press reports, personal logbooks, diaries and correspondence, reference books an
