Harry Robinson

Flight Lieutenant Harry Noel Cornforth Robinson (25 December 1898 – 2 June 1926) was a British World War I flying ace credited with 10 aerial victories. After winning the Military Cross and Croix de guerre, he remained in service post-war, winning the Distinguished Flying Cross in Iraq.

World War I Robinson was commissioned as a temporary second lieutenant (on probation) on the General List of the Royal Flying Corps on 10 May 1917, and was confirmed in his rank and appointed a flying officer on 12 July 1917.

He was posted to No. 46 Squadron, It would be 28 December 1917 before he scored his first aerial victory, being responsible for capturing a German reconnaissance aircraft. His second victory came on 11 March 1918, when he drove down out of control an Albatros D.V. Then, between 21 and 24 March, he scored six more victories. and was reassigned to No. 70 Squadron, where he gained two more victories in April and May.

Post-war career Robinson remained in the RAF after the end of the war, relinquishing his acting rank of captain on 27 March 1919. He was granted a short service commission with the rank of flying officer on 24 October 1919, and later saw active service in Iraq, where he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, gazetted on 28 October 1921. His citation read: Flying Officer Harry Noel Cornforth Robinson, MC, RAF. "For gallantry and devotion to duty. A gallant and daring pilot, especially while operating round Samawah and Nasiriyeh. His keenness at all times has been much marked."

On 24 October 1923 Robinson was granted a permanent commission with the rank of flying officer, and was promoted to flight lieutenant on 1 January 1925.

Robinson died on 2 June 1926, with the Hartlepool Mail reporting that he had been "ill for seven months".

List of aerial victories +Combat record No.Date/TimeAircraft/Serial No.OpponentResultLocationNo. 46 Squadron RFC 1 28 December 1917@ 1200 hours Sopwith Camel s/n B2429 German reconnaissance aircraft Captured West of Havrincourt, France 2 11 March 1918@ 1645 hours Sopwith Camels/n B5425 Albatros D.V fighter Driven down out of control Dury, France 3 21 March 1918@ 1200 hours Sopwith Camels/n B9158 Albatros D.V Driven down out of control Map grid 57C E20 4 22 March 1918@ 1730–1800 hoursSopwith Camels/n B9158 Albatros reconnaissance aircraft Destroyed Hendecourt, France 5 LVG reconnaissance aircraft Driven down out of control Bullecourt, France 6 23 March 1918@ 1000–1005 hoursSopwith Camels/n B5425 LVG reconnaissance aircraft DestroyedVaulx, France 7 LVG reconnaissance aircraft Driven down out of control 8 24 March 1918@ 1600 hours Sopwith Camels/n B5425 Albatros reconnaissance aircraft Destroyed Sailly-Saillisel, FranceNo. 70 Squadron RAF 9 6 April 1918@ 1545 hours Sopwith Camels/n C8217 Albatros reconnaissance aircraft Driven down out of control Bray, France 10 15 May 1918@ 0700 hours Sopwith Camels/n C8217 Pfalz D.III fighter Driven down out of control Map grid 57D R4