In Memory Of

BOSTOCK, ROBERT SOUTHEY

Service Details
Age:
 29
Date of Birth:
 -0001-11-30
Rank:
 Lieutenant
Unit:
 H.M.S. Ark Royal
Unit 2:
 800 Sqdn.
Regiment:
 Royal Navy
Date of Death:
 1940-06-13
Cause of Death:
 Killed in action, after attacking the Scharnhorst. He was in a Skua aircraft involved in a dogfight with a Heinkel over Grotli in Norway on 27/4/1940. the Heinkel was shot down, but the engine also failed on the Skua, and Robert and his captain landed in deep snow near Grotli. They were found next day by a Norwegian ski patrol and returned to the UK. Later on 13/6/1940 he was in one of 6 Skuas of 800 Squadron which attacked the Scharnhorst. There were 15 Skuas in all, 8 of which were shot down. Robert was killed when his Skua was shot down returning to the aircraft carrier near Trondheim, Norway.
Commemoration
Grave Reference:
 Bay 1, Panel 2.
Cemetery:
 LEE-ON-SOLENT MEMORIAL
Localitly:
 Hampshire
Country:
 United Kingdom
Additional Information
Son of Robert V. and Janet Bostock; husband of Catherine Grace Bostock (nee Watson). On war memorial for King Edward VII School, Johannesburg. ***The character Robert Smith in the movie 'Into the White' is based on him