Roderick Alastair Brook Learoyd
Flight, -Lieutenant. 49 Squadron, Royal Air Force
- Register No.
- 730 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Flight (register: Flight Lieutenant) all Flight Lieutenants →
- Unit
- -Lieutenant. 49 Squadron, Royal Air Force (register: No. 49 Squadron RAF) all No. 49 Squadron RAF VCs →
- Date of action
- 12 August 1940 on this day → all of 1940 →
- Conflict / campaign
- Second World War
- London Gazette
- 20th August, 1940 on this day → all of 1940 →
- Born
- 5th February, 1913 at Folkestone, Kent
- Died
- 24th January 1996 at Rustington, Sussex
- Memorial / grave
- not known
Digest of citation
On the night of the 12th August, 1940, Flight-Lieutenant Leroyd, was detailed with other crews, to attack a special objective, one he had attacked before, on the Dortmund-Ems Canal. Two of the other aircraft, who had already made the attack on the target, were destroyed, another two been badly hit. Nevertheless Flight Lieutenant Learoyd made his attacking run at 150 ft. The aircraft was hit repeatedly, removing large parts of the main plane. Almost blinded by Searchlights and with flak bursting all around he relentlessly pressed home the attack with great determination and skill. The aircraft being badly damaged, landing flaps inoperative, he waited until it was light enough, by flying around the home aerodrome before landing. He brought the aircraft in safely, without further damage or injuries to the crew
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
LEAROYD, Roderick Alastair Brook. (reg No. 730).
Flight-Lieutenant. 49 Squadron, Royal Air Force.
London Gazetted on 20th August, 1940.
Born on 5th February, 1913 at Folkestone, Kent.
Died on 24th January 1996 at Rustington, Sussex Memorial not known.
Digest of Citation reads: On the night of the 12th August, 1940, Flight-Lieutenant Leroyd, was detailed with other crews, to attack a special objective, one he had attacked before, on the Dortmund-Ems Canal. Two of the other aircraft, who had already made the attack on the target, were destroyed, another two been badly hit. Nevertheless Flight Lieutenant Learoyd made his attacking run at 150 ft. The aircraft was hit repeatedly, removing large parts of the main plane. Almost blinded by Searchlights and with flak bursting all around he relentlessly pressed home the attack with great determination and skill. The aircraft being badly damaged, landing flaps inoperative, he waited until it was light enough, by flying around the home aerodrome before landing. He brought the aircraft in safely, without further damage or injuries to the crew.
Additional information:. He later was promoted to Wing Commander.
Reg No. 731 is Captain Warburton-Lee. (Follows Lt. Cdr Wanklyn (reg No. 1267).
Additional information
He later was promoted to Wing Commander Reg No. 731 is Captain Warburton-Lee. (Follows Lt. Cdr Wanklyn (reg No. 1267).
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: not known
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