Gilbert Insall
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Gilbert Stuart Martin Insall VC |
|
|---|---|
 |
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| Born |
14 May 1894 Paris, France |
| Died | 17 February 1972 (aged 77) Scrooby, Nottinghamshire |
| Buried at | Rose Hill Crematorium, Doncaster Headstone at Nocton Churchyard, Lincolnshire |
| Allegiance |
 United Kingdom
|
| Service/branch | |
| Years of service | 1915 - 1945 |
| Rank | Group Captain |
| Unit | No. 11 Squadron RFC |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards | |
Group Captain Gilbert Stuart Martin Insall VC MC (14 May 1894 – 17 February 1972) was a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
Insall was commissioned as a second lieutenant (on probation) in the Royal Flying Corps on 14 March 1915, during the First World War. He was appointed a Flying Officer in the RFC on 16 July, and was confirmed in his rank from the same date.
Insall was 21 years old, and a second lieutenant in the 11 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps when he won the VC.
On 7 November 1915 near Achiet-le-Grand, France, Second Lieutenant Insall, on patrol in Vickers F.B.5 Gunbus No. 5074 with 1st Class Air Mechanic T. H. Donald, engaged an Aviatik two-seater and forced the German pilot to make a rough landing in a plowed field. Seeing the air crew scramble out and prepare to fire, Insall dove to 500 ft and his gunner opened fire, whereupon the Germans fled. After dropping an incendiary bomb on the downed German aircraft, Insall flew through heavy fire at 2000 ft over enemy trenches. The Vickers' petrol tank was hit, but Insall brought the plane 500 yards back inside Allied lines for an emergency landing. Insall and Donald stayed by the Gunbus through a bombardment of about 150 shells while awaiting nightfall. After dark, they then set to work by torch light to salvage their plane. After they repaired the machine overnight, Insall flew them back to base at dawn.
Insall could not personally receive his VC, however; he and Donald had fallen wounded into captivity on 14 December 1915 after engaging Hauptmann Martin Zander and his gunner. While in captivity, he was promoted to lieutenant, on 1 April 1916. Insall escaped on his third try, on 28 August 1917, and made it home over the Dutch border on 6 September. He returned to duty as the Flight Commander of "A" Flight, 50 Squadron, with the temporary rank of captain, on 11 January 1918.
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