ROBERTS, Richard

Rank: 
Private (later Sergeant)
Unit / Base: 
4 Commando
Regiment/Corps: 
Royal Scots
Royal Scots Fusiliers
Service: 
Army
Number: 
3065239
Honours & Awards: 
Private Richard Roberts,  'C' troop, No 4 Commando, was wounded on 8 June 1944 during operations in Normandy France [1].
1947 (Fusilier) (1st Bn. Royal Scots Fusiliers) awarded the George Medal [2][2a].
Also served in the Korea War [3]
Recommendation for the George Medal
At about 1700hrs on the 25th October 1947 a Dakota aircraft of Hindustan Airways crash landed in Nicholson Lines, Delhi Cantonment. Fusilier R. Roberts of the 1st Bn., Royal Scots Fusiliers, together with other members of the same Regiment, rushed to the plane to render assistance to the passengers and crew. The plane was on a test flight and contained the pilot and six Indian passengers, the latter managing to jump out via the back exit immediately the plane hit the ground.
With complete disregard for his own safety, Fusiler Roberts entered the plane from the rear exit and made his way towards the cockpit where he saw the pilot, who had been knocked unconscious, and was about to extricate him when the petrol tanks blew up. The whole machine was enveloped in flames and Fusilier Roberts was forced to the back of the plane by the blast, flames, and smoke.
Immediately afterwards he realised that there was still a chance of saving the pilot in spite of the flames, and disregarding his own perilous predicament, ran up to the cockpit with Sgt Newman and dragged the pilot from the cockpit until they managed to carry him out to safety. The time from the moment the plane crashed until it blew up was covered by a period of not more than 3 or 4 minutes.
Fusilier Robert's action was cool, calculated and deliberate, and shows extreme personal courage and bravery as a result of which the life of the pilot was saved [2a].
Extract from Commando Association newsletter 14
Lieut. (now Capt.) P. King, MC (4 Cdo) now serving with the 16 NZ Fd. Regt. in Korea recently had a spell attached to the KOSB's as F.O.O. In this unit he found L/Cpl. Ryder and Sgt. Roberts both from his troop in No.4 Cdo. Last year when stepping off a plane at Taegu he was greeted by Sgt. Old (4 Cdo) now in the Military Police. It's a small world. 
 
Sources:
[1] Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/76.
[2] London Gazette 38249, page 2131 published 30 March 1948.
[2a] National Archives file WO373/70/85.
[3] Commando Association Newsletter 14 of 1952
Obituaries in Commando Association newsletter 60 issued 1975.
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