Robert Milham Horsley (Bob)
born 4.5.1921 Poppleton,near York,Yorkshire
son of Edgar and Irene Horsley
brother of Hugh Wilkinson Horsley,killed in flying accident 1.2.1945 as Squadron Leader (68786) 61 Squadron RAFVR (AFC)
educated Haughton School,York
RAFVR
trained as wireless op./air gunner
50 Squadron August 1941
Sgt (1005345) wireless operator
commissioned 20.4.1942
Pilot Officer (120849)
Manchester damaged and baled out over Belgium 30/31.5.1942 - evaded
awarded D.F.C. (pilot Leslie Manser awarded posthumous V.C.)
pilot training,Canada
flying instructor (2 years)
617 Squadron November 1944 (Flight Lieutenant pilot)
permanent commission as Flying Officer 5.6.1947
Flight Lieutenant 29.10.1948
served for 5 years in bomber squadrons postwar
flying instructor,an Advanced Flying School (Squadron Leader)
awarded Kings Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air 1.1.1952
awarded A.F.C. 1.1.1953
Air Ministry (Intelligence)
Air Attache,Baghdad June 1959 - 1962
flying duties
Air Attache,Jeddah 1966-70
retired as Wing Commander 1970
Foreign Office (Intelligence Officer;Beirut (5 years)
emigrated to Australia
estate agent,Sydney,New South Wales
retired to Tamborine,Queensland
married Betty Holtom (WAAF) 1945 (divorced 1974) (2 children Nigel and Erica)
married Ludmilla Shenkarenko (3 stepchildren)
died 19.1.2016
with his wife Betty and mother Irene in photo
