KILLED IN R.A.F. CRASH

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 271, 12 August 1938, Page 11

KILLED IN R.A.F. CRASH

Acting Pilot-Officer R. A.

Robertson

London, August 10. Acting Pilot Officer R. A. Robertson, son of Mrs. A. G. Robertson, of Okaiawa, New Zealand, was killed when a Royal Air Force machine in which he was participating in torpedo-dropping exercises, crashed into the Solent.

Robertson was flying solo in formation with two other planes from the Royal Air Force station at Gosport. The three machines dived in formation. Two pulled out of the dive, but Robertson’s plane crashed after the release of a torpedo. The pilot’s body was recovered.

Acting Pilot Officer Robertson was about 25 years of age. He received his early training in aviation at New Plymouth and tvent to England two years ago to join the R.A.F. He was educated at the Okaiawa Primary School and the Hawera Technical High School. He took a keen interest in sport and was a member of the Te Ngutu Golf Club and the Okaiawa Tennis Club. His mother, Mrs. A. G. Robertson, is residing in New Plymouth with her daughter. Early this year Mrs. Robertson suffered severe shock through the death of her husband, formerly a wellknown garage proprietor and contractor at Okaiawa.