N.Z. Airman Killed

Northern Advocate, 11 August 1938, Page 7

N.Z. Airman Killed

(Received 12.30 p.m.) LONDON, August 10. Acting-Pilot-Officer R. A. Robertson, son. of a Stratford, New Zealand, resident, Mr A. G. Robertson, was killed when the Royal Air Force machine in which he was participating in torpedo-dropping exercises crashed into the Solent . [ h’:*S| i#b( Mr Robertson was flying solo in formation with two others from the Royal Air Force station at Gosport The three planes dived in formation, two pulling out of the dive, and Mr Robertson’s crashing after the release of the torpedo. The body has been recovered. A New Plymouth telegram says that acting Pilot Officer R. A. Robertson was the son of Mrs A. G. Robertson, of Okaiawa, near Hawer,a. Mrs Robertson is at present resident in New Plymouth, with her daughter.

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