Rank: Flying Officer
Trade: Air Gunner
Service Number: 171019
Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, 617 Squadron.
Died: 22nd December 1944
Age: 23 years old
Roberton Bertrand Yates, known as 'Bobby' was born on the 7th June 1921 in Toxteth, Merseyside. He was the son of Francis Bertrand and Winifred Elizabeth Yates (née Roberton). He was given his forename Roberton after his uncle, his mother's brother. He was the Reverend William Alfred Roberton who was the Vicar of St. Petrox and St Barnabas Church in Dartmouth.
Bobby was educated at Monkton Combe School near Bath. He lived with his uncle in the Vicarage in Dartmouth in the school holidays and once his education was completed.
Bobby intended to make his career in journalism and to this end he joined the reporting staff at the Falkirk Herald in Scotland. He divided his time between Falkirk and Grangemouth and was well known and liked in both towns.
When war broke out he volunteered for flying duties and was eventually called up by the RAF in September 1941. He underwent his initial training in England before being sent to a station in the United States of America.
Returning to England as a Sergeant Pilot he did a spell with fighters before being commissioned as an Air Gunner and sent to serve on heavy bombers. Bobby served in 617 Squadron. (records unavailable to show when he was posted to this Squadron).
No. 617 Squadron was a Royal Air Force Lancaster Squadron formed at RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire. It is commonly known as the "Dambusters", for its actions during Operation Chastise against German dams during the Second World War. The Squadron motto is 'Après moi le déluge' which is French for "After me, the flood".
Bobby was not part of any of the crews who took part in the Dams raid. He was however involved in the Squadron's famous attack and sinking of the German Battleship 'Tirpitz'.
Bobby was now promoted to Flying Officer On the 21st December 1944 he was part of the crew in Lancaster ME561 which took off at 16.54 from 617 Squadron's base at Woodhall Spa. Their target was the synthetic oil plant at Politz in Germany. On their return to base they were diverted to Ludford Magna. At 02.40 on the 22nd December and due to fog blanketing the local area, the Lancaster crashed at Tealby, near Market Rasen on the approach to Ludford Magna. Five of the crew survived but sadly Bobby did not.
On Thursday 4th January 1945 his funeral took place in St Barnabas Church in Dartmouth and was well attended. Flying Officer Patterson represented 617 Squadron. The Mayor of Dartmouth attended as did the Town Clerk and members of the town council as well as a representative from the local newspaper the 'Western Guardian' representing the 'Falkirk Herald'. The Dartmouth Air Training Corps acted as bearers. Following the service Bobby was buried in Longcross Cemetery in Dartmouth.
Bobby's name is engraved on the Dartmouth War Memorial but he is also commemorated at Monkton Combe School.
His name appears on the War Memorial in the school but during the 1950s a large block of classrooms was built at Monkton School and named the Memorial Block. It was dedicated to the memory of former pupils and staff from the Senior and Junior Schools who gave their lives during the Second World War. A framed list of their names was located on the main central stairway. The buildings were demolished and replaced by a new Maths & Science centre which opened in 2008. This is now called the AC Maths & Science Centre. The list of names has been located to this new building.
(Births Jun 1921 Yates Roberton B Roberton Toxteth P.8b 447)
(Deaths Dec 1944 Yates Robertson*** B 23 Caistor 7a 720)
(*** Registration error)
(Sources: CWGC, Find My Past, Ancestry, Special Forces Roll of Honour, Newspaper archives, Monkton Combe School Roll Of Honour).
(Bio: Woose)
Trade: Air Gunner
Service Number: 171019
Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, 617 Squadron.
Died: 22nd December 1944
Age: 23 years old
Roberton Bertrand Yates, known as 'Bobby' was born on the 7th June 1921 in Toxteth, Merseyside. He was the son of Francis Bertrand and Winifred Elizabeth Yates (née Roberton). He was given his forename Roberton after his uncle, his mother's brother. He was the Reverend William Alfred Roberton who was the Vicar of St. Petrox and St Barnabas Church in Dartmouth.
Bobby was educated at Monkton Combe School near Bath. He lived with his uncle in the Vicarage in Dartmouth in the school holidays and once his education was completed.
Bobby intended to make his career in journalism and to this end he joined the reporting staff at the Falkirk Herald in Scotland. He divided his time between Falkirk and Grangemouth and was well known and liked in both towns.
When war broke out he volunteered for flying duties and was eventually called up by the RAF in September 1941. He underwent his initial training in England before being sent to a station in the United States of America.
Returning to England as a Sergeant Pilot he did a spell with fighters before being commissioned as an Air Gunner and sent to serve on heavy bombers. Bobby served in 617 Squadron. (records unavailable to show when he was posted to this Squadron).
No. 617 Squadron was a Royal Air Force Lancaster Squadron formed at RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire. It is commonly known as the "Dambusters", for its actions during Operation Chastise against German dams during the Second World War. The Squadron motto is 'Après moi le déluge' which is French for "After me, the flood".
Bobby was not part of any of the crews who took part in the Dams raid. He was however involved in the Squadron's famous attack and sinking of the German Battleship 'Tirpitz'.
Bobby was now promoted to Flying Officer On the 21st December 1944 he was part of the crew in Lancaster ME561 which took off at 16.54 from 617 Squadron's base at Woodhall Spa. Their target was the synthetic oil plant at Politz in Germany. On their return to base they were diverted to Ludford Magna. At 02.40 on the 22nd December and due to fog blanketing the local area, the Lancaster crashed at Tealby, near Market Rasen on the approach to Ludford Magna. Five of the crew survived but sadly Bobby did not.
On Thursday 4th January 1945 his funeral took place in St Barnabas Church in Dartmouth and was well attended. Flying Officer Patterson represented 617 Squadron. The Mayor of Dartmouth attended as did the Town Clerk and members of the town council as well as a representative from the local newspaper the 'Western Guardian' representing the 'Falkirk Herald'. The Dartmouth Air Training Corps acted as bearers. Following the service Bobby was buried in Longcross Cemetery in Dartmouth.
Bobby's name is engraved on the Dartmouth War Memorial but he is also commemorated at Monkton Combe School.
His name appears on the War Memorial in the school but during the 1950s a large block of classrooms was built at Monkton School and named the Memorial Block. It was dedicated to the memory of former pupils and staff from the Senior and Junior Schools who gave their lives during the Second World War. A framed list of their names was located on the main central stairway. The buildings were demolished and replaced by a new Maths & Science centre which opened in 2008. This is now called the AC Maths & Science Centre. The list of names has been located to this new building.
(Births Jun 1921 Yates Roberton B Roberton Toxteth P.8b 447)
(Deaths Dec 1944 Yates Robertson*** B 23 Caistor 7a 720)
(*** Registration error)
(Sources: CWGC, Find My Past, Ancestry, Special Forces Roll of Honour, Newspaper archives, Monkton Combe School Roll Of Honour).
(Bio: Woose)
Rank: Flying Officer
Trade: Air Gunner
Service Number: 171019
Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, 617 Squadron.
Died: 22nd December 1944
Age: 23 years old
Roberton Bertrand Yates, known as 'Bobby' was born on the 7th June 1921 in Toxteth, Merseyside. He was the son of Francis Bertrand and Winifred Elizabeth Yates (née Roberton). He was given his forename Roberton after his uncle, his mother's brother. He was the Reverend William Alfred Roberton who was the Vicar of St. Petrox and St Barnabas Church in Dartmouth.
Bobby was educated at Monkton Combe School near Bath. He lived with his uncle in the Vicarage in Dartmouth in the school holidays and once his education was completed.
Bobby intended to make his career in journalism and to this end he joined the reporting staff at the Falkirk Herald in Scotland. He divided his time between Falkirk and Grangemouth and was well known and liked in both towns.
When war broke out he volunteered for flying duties and was eventually called up by the RAF in September 1941. He underwent his initial training in England before being sent to a station in the United States of America.
Returning to England as a Sergeant Pilot he did a spell with fighters before being commissioned as an Air Gunner and sent to serve on heavy bombers. Bobby served in 617 Squadron. (records unavailable to show when he was posted to this Squadron).
No. 617 Squadron was a Royal Air Force Lancaster Squadron formed at RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire. It is commonly known as the "Dambusters", for its actions during Operation Chastise against German dams during the Second World War. The Squadron motto is 'Après moi le déluge' which is French for "After me, the flood".
Bobby was not part of any of the crews who took part in the Dams raid. He was however involved in the Squadron's famous attack and sinking of the German Battleship 'Tirpitz'.
Bobby was now promoted to Flying Officer On the 21st December 1944 he was part of the crew in Lancaster ME561 which took off at 16.54 from 617 Squadron's base at Woodhall Spa. Their target was the synthetic oil plant at Politz in Germany. On their return to base they were diverted to Ludford Magna. At 02.40 on the 22nd December and due to fog blanketing the local area, the Lancaster crashed at Tealby, near Market Rasen on the approach to Ludford Magna. Five of the crew survived but sadly Bobby did not.
On Thursday 4th January 1945 his funeral took place in St Barnabas Church in Dartmouth and was well attended. Flying Officer Patterson represented 617 Squadron. The Mayor of Dartmouth attended as did the Town Clerk and members of the town council as well as a representative from the local newspaper the 'Western Guardian' representing the 'Falkirk Herald'. The Dartmouth Air Training Corps acted as bearers. Following the service Bobby was buried in Longcross Cemetery in Dartmouth.
Bobby's name is engraved on the Dartmouth War Memorial but he is also commemorated at Monkton Combe School.
His name appears on the War Memorial in the school but during the 1950s a large block of classrooms was built at Monkton School and named the Memorial Block. It was dedicated to the memory of former pupils and staff from the Senior and Junior Schools who gave their lives during the Second World War. A framed list of their names was located on the main central stairway. The buildings were demolished and replaced by a new Maths & Science centre which opened in 2008. This is now called the AC Maths & Science Centre. The list of names has been located to this new building.
(Births Jun 1921 Yates Roberton B Roberton Toxteth P.8b 447)
(Deaths Dec 1944 Yates Robertson*** B 23 Caistor 7a 720)
(*** Registration error)
(Sources: CWGC, Find My Past, Ancestry, Special Forces Roll of Honour, Newspaper archives, Monkton Combe School Roll Of Honour).
(Bio: Woose)
Trade: Air Gunner
Service Number: 171019
Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, 617 Squadron.
Died: 22nd December 1944
Age: 23 years old
Roberton Bertrand Yates, known as 'Bobby' was born on the 7th June 1921 in Toxteth, Merseyside. He was the son of Francis Bertrand and Winifred Elizabeth Yates (née Roberton). He was given his forename Roberton after his uncle, his mother's brother. He was the Reverend William Alfred Roberton who was the Vicar of St. Petrox and St Barnabas Church in Dartmouth.
Bobby was educated at Monkton Combe School near Bath. He lived with his uncle in the Vicarage in Dartmouth in the school holidays and once his education was completed.
Bobby intended to make his career in journalism and to this end he joined the reporting staff at the Falkirk Herald in Scotland. He divided his time between Falkirk and Grangemouth and was well known and liked in both towns.
When war broke out he volunteered for flying duties and was eventually called up by the RAF in September 1941. He underwent his initial training in England before being sent to a station in the United States of America.
Returning to England as a Sergeant Pilot he did a spell with fighters before being commissioned as an Air Gunner and sent to serve on heavy bombers. Bobby served in 617 Squadron. (records unavailable to show when he was posted to this Squadron).
No. 617 Squadron was a Royal Air Force Lancaster Squadron formed at RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire. It is commonly known as the "Dambusters", for its actions during Operation Chastise against German dams during the Second World War. The Squadron motto is 'Après moi le déluge' which is French for "After me, the flood".
Bobby was not part of any of the crews who took part in the Dams raid. He was however involved in the Squadron's famous attack and sinking of the German Battleship 'Tirpitz'.
Bobby was now promoted to Flying Officer On the 21st December 1944 he was part of the crew in Lancaster ME561 which took off at 16.54 from 617 Squadron's base at Woodhall Spa. Their target was the synthetic oil plant at Politz in Germany. On their return to base they were diverted to Ludford Magna. At 02.40 on the 22nd December and due to fog blanketing the local area, the Lancaster crashed at Tealby, near Market Rasen on the approach to Ludford Magna. Five of the crew survived but sadly Bobby did not.
On Thursday 4th January 1945 his funeral took place in St Barnabas Church in Dartmouth and was well attended. Flying Officer Patterson represented 617 Squadron. The Mayor of Dartmouth attended as did the Town Clerk and members of the town council as well as a representative from the local newspaper the 'Western Guardian' representing the 'Falkirk Herald'. The Dartmouth Air Training Corps acted as bearers. Following the service Bobby was buried in Longcross Cemetery in Dartmouth.
Bobby's name is engraved on the Dartmouth War Memorial but he is also commemorated at Monkton Combe School.
His name appears on the War Memorial in the school but during the 1950s a large block of classrooms was built at Monkton School and named the Memorial Block. It was dedicated to the memory of former pupils and staff from the Senior and Junior Schools who gave their lives during the Second World War. A framed list of their names was located on the main central stairway. The buildings were demolished and replaced by a new Maths & Science centre which opened in 2008. This is now called the AC Maths & Science Centre. The list of names has been located to this new building.
(Births Jun 1921 Yates Roberton B Roberton Toxteth P.8b 447)
(Deaths Dec 1944 Yates Robertson*** B 23 Caistor 7a 720)
(*** Registration error)
(Sources: CWGC, Find My Past, Ancestry, Special Forces Roll of Honour, Newspaper archives, Monkton Combe School Roll Of Honour).
(Bio: Woose)
Inscription
In Sacred Memory of Elizabeth Gray Simpson Roberton who passed away May 23, 1937. Until the day break and the shadows flee away. Also of Roberton Betrand Yates (Royal Air Force) died Dec. 22nd, 1944. Aged 23 Years.
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Records on Ancestry
Advertisement
