Gilbert Stuart Martin Insall
| Gilbert Stuart Martin Insall | |
|---|---|
Lieutenant Gilbert Insall c. 1916–17
|
|
| Born |
14 May 1894 Paris, France |
| Died | 17 February 1972 (aged 77) Scrooby, Nottinghamshire, England |
| Buried | Rose Hill Crematorium, Doncaster Headstone at Nocton Churchyard, Lincolnshire |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
British Army (1915–18) Royal Air Force (1918–45) |
| Years of service | 1915–1945 |
| Rank | Group Captain |
| Unit | No. 11 Squadron RFC |
| Battles/wars |
First World War Iraqi revolt against the British Second World War |
| Awards |
Victoria Cross Military Cross Mentioned in Despatches |
Group Captain Gilbert Stuart Martin Insall, VC, MC (14 May 1894 – 17 February 1972) was a British aviator and recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest 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 Victoria Cross (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.
The announcement and accompanying citation for Insall's VC was published in a supplement to the London Gazette on 23 December 1915, reading:
For most conspicuous bravery, skill and determination, on 7 November 1915, in France. He was patrolling in a Vickers Fighting Machine, with First Class Air Mechanic T. H. Donald as gunner, when a German machine was sighted, pursued, and attacked near Achiet.
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