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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
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 train exercise. It failed to return.
It was not until 4 days later that the burnt out wreckage was found in the grounds of Wedderlie House, Westruther (shown below). It seems that after fifty minutes from take off the aircraft had dived vertically out of cloud and into the ground.
Burial details:
Sgt. Malcolm Eric Edward Robertson. Glasgow Cemetery (Craigton), Glasgow. Grave 219. Born on the 21st June 1922 at Wellington. Prior to service worked as a clerk for Morris Duncan and Gyllies and company in Auckland. Son of Charles Robertson and of Hilma Elvira Robertson (née Fogelberg), of Hataitai. A total of 358n flying hours logged with 170 on the Spitfire. 6 operational sorties completed.
Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this pilot with thanks to Jenifer Lemaire and to the extensive research by Errol Martyn and his publications: “For Your Tomorrow Vols. 1-3”, Auckland Library Heritage Collection, AWMM, Weekly News of New Zealand, other sources as quoted below:
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember
them. - Laurence
Binyon
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Last Modified: 03 January 2021, 14:46