"Rerum cognoscere causas" ..To know the cause of things
buried in Bottisham but not on memorial
No.RNZAF 412010, Pilot Officer, Robert Keith Anderson ANDREW
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Robert Keith Anderson Andrew was born in Wellington, New Zealand, on 18th September 1917, son of Charles Thomas and Lily Magdalene ANDREW (née ANDERSON)
of Akatarawa, Wellington, New Zealand. His mother was South African by birth.
He was educated at Wellington Boy's College from 1931 to 1936. His sporting interests were Rugby, Tennis and Cricket. He was employed as a civil servant, working in the New Zealand Mines Department. He attested for the Army at Fort Dorset on 13th October 1939 and was posted to the 10th Heavy Regiment on 28th October, promoted Lance Bombardier 6th July 1940 and Bombardier 30th January 1941. He then enlisted in the New Zealand Air Force on 24th March 1941. Flying training was at No 2, Elementary Training School, New Plymouth from September to October 1941 before moving on to No. 2 Flying Training School, Blenheim, from October 1941 to January 1942, receiving his "wings" on 29th November 1941. Commissioned as Pilot Officer on 10th January 1942. He embarked for England on 29th January 1942, arriving No 3 Personnel Reception Centre on 13th March and posted to No 41 Operational Training Unite, Old Sarum, Salisbury on 29th April. He was at RAF Snailwell from 3rd June 1942 with No 268 Squadron on Army Co-operation work, before joining 168 Squadron on 14th June. |
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168 Squadron RAF was an Army Co-operation unit, formed at RAF Snailwell. They moved to RAF Bottisham from July to November 1942 and were equipped with
Curtiss Tomahawk MkIIA. Flying Tomahawk AH891, c/sign OE-?, with three other aircraft were in formation to the target and carried out low level attacks on a battery of guns. During the 3rd attack P/O Andrew, following 300 feet away, was seen by two of the others to hit tree with his port wing tip, his aircraft rolled twice and crashed into the ground on the Thetford to Watton road. He was certified dead on arrival at Thetford Cottage Hospital. Tomahawk Mk IIA click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
