Choloy, France

Details:

17 March 1955 - F/O Raymond Allen Robertson

Comments from Patrick Robertson:

The "RA" stands for "Raymond Allen". He was married with one child at his death. His wife was Eleanore and I am his child. From pictures I have seen, we lived in the trailer park. I was born in Grostenquin on October 13, 1954.

Comments from Don Norrie:

F/O RA Robertson was a pilot with 430 Squadron at 2 (F) Wing, Grostenquin France. He was killed when his aircraft (Sabre #23317) had an engine failure while on approach to land.

Comments from Bob Cooper - There was a distinct similarity between Gord Troke's death (in Canada on 24 January 1952), and that of Robbie Robertson who was killed in Grostenquin on 17 March 1955.

Gordie flamed out over Lake Nipissing and elected to ride it down to prevent possible loss of civilian life.

Robbie Robertson was flying with two other Sabres and when he flamed out at high altitude, his companions advised him to bail out. He decided to ride it down with the wing tips of the other two tucked in under his wings giving him support. They escorted him down to the fence. As he crossed the end of the runway his nose got too high and the compressor stalled freezing the controls. He slammed into the runway and burned.

Both of these pilors lost their lives in an attempt to prevent loss of life on the ground.

Extracts from 2 Wing Historical Record

17 March 1955 - 42326 F/O RA Robertson, 430 (F) Squadron, killed in aircraft accident at 1310 hours.

19 March 1955 - Funeral at 0900 hours for F/O RA Robertson.