For Valour: Acting Flight Lieutenant Roderick Alastair Brook Learoyd
Location: 12 August 1940, over Germany
Who: Acting Flight Lieutenant Roderick Alastair Brook Learoyd (37860) VC RAF, 5 February 1913 – 24 January 1966
The Battle of Britain normally conjures up images of Spitfires and Hurricanes creating vapour trails across an azure sky but by night, Bomber Command was active – and taking more casualties than Fighter Command. After disastrously costly daylight raids in 1939, Bomber Command had by now switched to night raids but was still setting precision targets, accuracy for which required flying at near-suicidally low altitudes. In the summer of 1940, these targets were German preparations for the proposed Unternehem Seelöwe [Operation Sealion], the invasion of Britain. Principally, these were invasion barges in the French ports, as well as communications and logistics.
Acting Flight Lieutenant Learoyd was attached to 49 Squadron, Bomber Command based at RAF Scampton. On 12 August 1940, eleven Hampden aircraft from 49 Squadron and five from 83 Squadron, also based at RAF Scampton, were ordered to attack the Dortmund-Ems canal. That night, Learoyd was captain and pilot of Handley Page Hampden serial P4403, coded EA-M and bearing the name ‘Pinocchio’. At 2000 hrs, he took off.
THE LONDON GAZETTE, 20 AUGUST, 1940:
“The KING has been graciously pleased to confer the Victoria Cross on the undermentioned officer, in recognition of most conspicuous bravery: — Acting Flight Lieutenant Roderick Alastair Brook LEAROYD (37860). This officer, as first pilot of a Hampden aircraft, has repeatedly shown the highest conception of his duty and complete indifference to personal danger in making attacks at the lowest altitudes regardless of opposition. On the night of 12th August, 1940, he was detailed to attack a special objective on the Dortmund-Ems Canal. He had attacked this objective on a previous occasion and was well aware of the risks entailed. To achieve success it was necessary to approach from a direction well known to the enemy, through a lane of especially disposed anti-aircraft defences, and in the face of the most intense point blank fire from guns of all calibres. The reception of the preceding aircraft might well have deterred the stoutest heart, all being hit and two lost. Flight Lieutenant Learoyd nevertheless made his attack at 150 feet, his aircraft being repeatedly hit and large pieces of the main planes torn away. He was almost blinded by the glare of many searchlights at close range but pressed home this attack with the greatest resolution and skill. He subsequently brought his wrecked aircraft home and, as the landing flaps were inoperative and the undercarriage indicators out of action, waited for dawn in the vicinity of his aerodrome before landing, which he accomplished without causing injury to his crew or further damage to the aircraft. The high courage, skill and determination, which this officer has invariably displayed on many occasions in the face of the enemy, sets an example which is unsurpassed.”
Graham Sutherland, Picketed Aircraft, watercolour and gouache on paper, 1940, L001-1890, © RAF Museum.
Learoyd subsequently held a number of increasingly senior operational, command and administrative posts, retiring from the RAF in October 1946 as a Reserve Wing Commander.
His Victoria Cross is in Lord Ashcroft’s collection at Imperial War Museum, London
Marker for Learoyd’s ashes, Worthing Crematorium
Credits:
Citation: London Gazette 20 August 1940
Additional biographical details: For Valour: The Air VCs Chaz Bowyer, Grub Street Publishing.
Photos
Acting Flght Lieutenant Learoyd: RAF Museum
Hampden: RAF Museum
Cremation marker: Author via War Graves Photographic Project (www.twgpp.org)
Painting: Graham Sutherland, Picketed Aircraft, watercolour and gouache on paper, 1940, L001-1890: RAF Museum.
