Norman Roberts

Norman Roberts
Born	22 August 1896 Broughton, Lancashire, England
Died	13 December 1980 (aged 84) Rhos-on-Sea, Colwyn Bay, Wales
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Service/branch	British Army Royal Air Force
Years of service	1917–1918
Rank	Lieutenant
Unit	No. 48 Squadron RAF
Awards	Distinguished Flying Cross

Lieutenant Norman Roberts (1896–1980) was a British World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories.^[1]

Military service

Roberts was commissioned as a temporary second lieutenant (on probation) in the Royal Flying Corps on 5 July 1917.^[2] He eventually flew a Bristol F.2 Fighter in No. 48 Squadron, were he scored five victories against first-line German fighters between 12 March and 27 June 1918. His final tally was two Fokker D.VIIs and a Fokker Dr.I triplane destroyed, and two triplanes driven down out of control.^[3]

Honours and awards

Distinguished Flying Cross

Lieutenant Norman Roberts

"This officer has destroyed three enemy machines and driven down two others out of control. He has also distinguished himself in attacking troops at low altitudes, and has carried out valuable reconnaissance service. Detailed to make a reconnaissance of an important area, he realised, on crossing our lines, that the wind was almost at hurricane strength, and that in face of such a wind his return journey would only be accomplished with extreme difficulty. However, knowing the urgency of his mission, he completed his reconnaissance, penetrating 12 miles behind the enemy lines. On the return journey, owing to the strength of the gale, he was forced to descend to a very low altitude, and was subjected to heavy anti-aircraft and machine-gun fire, which badly damaged his machine."^[4]

References

Notes

1. "Norman Roberts". The Aerodrome. 2015. Retrieved 13 December 2015.
2. The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 30203. p. 7607. 24 July 1917.
3. Shores, Franks & Guest (1990), p. 322.
4. The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 30913. p. 11254. 20 September 1918.

Bibliography

• Shores, Christopher F.; Franks, Norman & Guest, Russell F. (1990). Above the Trenches: a Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the British Empire Air Forces 1915–1920. London, UK: Grub Street. ISBN 978-0-948817-19-9.