Roderick Learoyd

Roderick Alastair Brook Learoyd
Born	5 February 1913 Folkestone, Kent
Died	24 January 1996 (aged 82) Rustington, West Sussex
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Service/branch	Royal Air Force
Years of service	1936-1958
Rank	Wing Commander
Unit	No. 49 Squadron RAF No. 44 Squadron RAF
Battles/wars	World War II
Awards	Victoria Cross

Wing Commander Roderick Alastair Brook Learoyd VC (5 February 1913 – 24 January 1996) was an English 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.

Born in Folkestone in February 1913 and educated at Hydreye House Preparatory School, Baldstow, Sussex, and Wellington College, Berkshire, Learoyd then attended the Chelsea College of Aeronautical and Automobile Engineering. Learoyd then lived in Argentina for two years as a farmer.

Learoyd decided to join the RAF and was accepted in March 1936. He took a short service commission and was commissioned as an acting pilot officer on 18 May 1936. He was posted to 49 Squadron, Bomber Command equipped with Hawker Hinds at RAF Worthy Down, and was regraded and confirmed as a pilot officer on 23 March 1937. In March 1938, 49 Squadron moved to Scampton and became the first RAF squadron to re-equip with the new Handley Page Hampden bomber. Learoyd was promoted to flying officer on 23 December 1938.

Operational from the outbreak of war, on 3 September six Hampdens from 83 Squadron and three from 49 Squadron (including Learoyd) left Scampton on an 'armed reconnaissance' sortie over the North Sea. During the next ten months Learoyd participated in 23 more bombing sorties, and was an acting flight lieutenant when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC, gazetted on 20 August 1940.

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