Pilot Officer Robert Stott, D.F.M.

Pilot Officer Robert Stott, D.F.M., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. He was lost on an Air Operation, aged 22, on the 26th November 1943. He had been born in Selkirk in 1921 and was the son of Jessie and the late James Stott of 40b Curror Street, Selkirk. He had been employed as a baker’s vanman before he joined the R.A.F. in 1941. As a Sergeant and a mid upper gunner he and a fellow gunner Sergeant Hicklin, with 101 Squadron, were both awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal for Gallantry in the air in September 1943. The citation reads as follows: ” In September 1943 these airmen were rear and mid upper gunners in an aircraft which was attacked near Hanover. During the operation the bomber was hit by anti-aircraft fire and then whilst illuminated by searchlights was attacked by a fighter. Although their turrets were struck and damaged whilst a fire burned alarmingly amidships these gunners fought on with great coolness and drove off the attacker. Afterwards Sergeant Hicklin was overcome by fumes but quickly recovered when dragged clear of his turret by Sergeant Stott and another member of the crew. Displaying great courage and endurance these gallant gunners then rendered great assistance in extinguishing the fire in the fuselage. Their coolness, courage and devotion to duty in most trying circumstances were most inspiring”. Three days before they were killed both men were promoted Pilot Officers. 101 Squadron flew the Avro Lancaster from R.A.F/ Ludford Magna and their aircraft was shot down by a nightfighter on an Operation to Berlin. There were no survivors and all the crew were buried in Brusthem ( St Trond) Cemetery to be re-interred later in Heverlee War Cemetery, Belgium in March 1947. His Headstone is inscribed ” God Has You In His Keeping Until We Meet Again”.