Robert Harry BOTSFORD
Sex: M
Individual Information
Birth Date: 17 Mar 1923 - Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, England
Christening:
Death: 25 Apr 1973 - Eastbourne, Sussex, England
Burial:
Events
• He resided at 14 Groveberry Road in 1924 in Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, England.
• Basic Flying Training: Cochrane Field, between 1941 and 1942, in Macon, Georgia, USA.
• Further Training: Passed out from Cochrane Field and returned to UK for Spitfire conversion course, between 1942 and 1943.
• Posted to 185 Squadron: 9 Oct 1943, in Malta.
• Operational sorties: Bob flew many operational sorties and was shot down at least twice. He parachuted into the sea, thus becoming a member of the Caterpillar Club. On one occasion when shot down over Italy he passed out after swimming ashore and came to to find a, between 1944 and 1945, in Malta and Italy. n Italian trying to steal his flying boots.
• Promotion: Promoted to Flight Sergeant, on 1 Jan 1944, in Malta.
• Relocation: 185 Squadron relocated to southern Italy, on 25 Jul 1944, in Italy.
• Relocation: 185 Squadron relocated to central Italy in support of the Allied armies, in Aug 1944, in Italy.
• Robert served in the military on 21 Mar 1945: Gazetted as a Pilot Officer.
• 185 Squadron disbanded: 11 Aug 1945.
• He served in the military on 10 Jul 1947: Promoted to Flying Officer in the (newly re-formed) RAF Volunteer Reserve.
• He resided at 20 Monks Orchard Road in 1964 in Bromley, Kent, England.
• He resided at Flat 4, 11 Upper Avenue on 14 Dec 1969 in Eastbourne, East Sussex, England.
Parents
Father: Harry BOTSFORD (1898-1969)
Mother: Lettie BEAUMONT (1896-1975)
Spouses and Children
1. *Eileen Audrey CHITTENDEN (Dec 1930 - )
Marriage: 15 Jul 1950 - Lower Birling, Kent, England
Status:
Children:
1. Clive Robert BOTSFORD (1952-1975)
2. Andrew Philip BOTSFORD (1958- )