Personnel Index - Detail

Name
ROBERTS
First Names
Roly Frederick
Rank
Sgt
Service
RAF
Service Number
566679
Crew Position
Pilot
Age
23
Date of Death
31/08/1940
Cemetery

 

Photographed by Malcolm Brooke

Photographed by Malcolm Brooke

SATELLITE DISPERSALS:

It had become practice at Scampton that if an aircraft was not required for that evening’s operation, it would be flown over to the satellite airfield for dispersal (in case of attacks by enemy intruders). Scampton's satellite was at Dunholme Lodge, just 2 miles to the East. Once at Dunholme the aircraft were dispersed in such a way as to try and blend in with the countryside. One way of achieving this was to remove a section of hedge line, the Hampden would then be towed into position so that its wings were parallel with the line of the remaining hedge. During the afternoon of 31 August, Sgt Roberts was detailed to fly P2135 the short distance to Dunholme; this Hampden and pilot were not scheduled for that evening’s operation. As the aircraft climbed out from base, P2135 stalled in the turn and came crashing to earth in a field adjacent to the drome, tragically killing all on board.

Hampden P2135
Sgt R.F. Roberts Pilot (Killed)
AC1 T. Robinson (Killed)
AC1 G.W. Snowden (Killed)
AC2 S. Hall (Killed)