Bob Kershaw
Encyclopedia
Robert H. C. Kershaw (died 6 May 1998) was a fighter
pilot and later businessman of South Africa
, notable as the first South African recipient of the Distinguished Service Order
in World War II
, for his daring rescue of downed squadron leader Jack Frost.
Kershaw and Frost were flying Hawker Hurricane
s in the No. 3 Squadron of the South African Air Force
when they were sent to Kenya
in early 1941 as part of a campaign against the Italians in Abyssinia
. On 15 March, during an attack on Diredawa airfield, Frost's tank of glycol coolant was hit and he had to put his plane on the ground quickly before the overheating engine seized. Frost landed at a satellite airfield near Diredawa, and set his plane on fire to prevent its capture, but Kershaw had seen Frost go down and followed, putting his plane down on the same field.
Space in the Hurricane was tight, so Frost had to discard his parachute and sit in Bob's lap. With Bob working the rudder's foot pedals and Jack using the throttle and control stick, they were able to take off and return to base.
The rescue was a sensation in South Africa, Bob receiving an immediate DSO. His portrait was painted (it now hangs in the South African National War Museum), and the portrait was in turn adapted for a 1½-pence postage stamp
issued in August 1942.
Kershaw returned to flying, and eventually rose to the rank of Major. He flew the Supermarine Spitfire
after they were delivered to the SAAF. Later he and his engineer would design the prototype twin payload bomb rack for the Spitfire, as it was ineffectual with a single payload. He was shot down and captured later. He received a Distinguished Flying Cross
.
After the war he went into the automobile business in East London, becoming managing director of Grosvenor Ford. He later retired to Knysna
, where he joined the commando wing of the SAAF, rising to the rank of commandant. He died in Knysna in 1998.
Fighter aircraft
A fighter aircraft is a military aircraft designed primarily for air-to-air combat with other aircraft, as opposed to a bomber, which is designed primarily to attack ground targets...
pilot and later businessman of South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, notable as the first South African recipient of the Distinguished Service Order
Distinguished Service Order
The Distinguished Service Order is a military decoration of the United Kingdom, and formerly of other parts of the British Commonwealth and Empire, awarded for meritorious or distinguished service by officers of the armed forces during wartime, typically in actual combat.Instituted on 6 September...
in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, for his daring rescue of downed squadron leader Jack Frost.
Kershaw and Frost were flying Hawker Hurricane
Hawker Hurricane
The Hawker Hurricane is a British single-seat fighter aircraft that was designed and predominantly built by Hawker Aircraft Ltd for the Royal Air Force...
s in the No. 3 Squadron of the South African Air Force
South African Air Force
The South African Air Force is the air force of South Africa, with headquarters in Pretoria. It is the world's second oldest independent air force, and its motto is Per Aspera Ad Astra...
when they were sent to Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
in early 1941 as part of a campaign against the Italians in Abyssinia
Ethiopia
Ethiopia , officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is the second-most populous nation in Africa, with over 82 million inhabitants, and the tenth-largest by area, occupying 1,100,000 km2...
. On 15 March, during an attack on Diredawa airfield, Frost's tank of glycol coolant was hit and he had to put his plane on the ground quickly before the overheating engine seized. Frost landed at a satellite airfield near Diredawa, and set his plane on fire to prevent its capture, but Kershaw had seen Frost go down and followed, putting his plane down on the same field.
Space in the Hurricane was tight, so Frost had to discard his parachute and sit in Bob's lap. With Bob working the rudder's foot pedals and Jack using the throttle and control stick, they were able to take off and return to base.
The rescue was a sensation in South Africa, Bob receiving an immediate DSO. His portrait was painted (it now hangs in the South African National War Museum), and the portrait was in turn adapted for a 1½-pence postage stamp
Postage stamp
A postage stamp is a small piece of paper that is purchased and displayed on an item of mail as evidence of payment of postage. Typically, stamps are made from special paper, with a national designation and denomination on the face, and a gum adhesive on the reverse side...
issued in August 1942.
Kershaw returned to flying, and eventually rose to the rank of Major. He flew the Supermarine Spitfire
Supermarine Spitfire
The Supermarine Spitfire is a British single-seat fighter aircraft that was used by the Royal Air Force and many other Allied countries throughout the Second World War. The Spitfire continued to be used as a front line fighter and in secondary roles into the 1950s...
after they were delivered to the SAAF. Later he and his engineer would design the prototype twin payload bomb rack for the Spitfire, as it was ineffectual with a single payload. He was shot down and captured later. He received a Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force and other services, and formerly to officers of other Commonwealth countries, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against...
.
After the war he went into the automobile business in East London, becoming managing director of Grosvenor Ford. He later retired to Knysna
Knysna
Knysna is a town with 76,431 inhabitants in the Western Cape Province of South Africa and is part of the Garden Route. It lies 34 degrees south of the equator, and is 72 kilometres east from the town of George on the N2 highway, and 25 kilometres west of Plettenberg Bay on the same road.-History:A...
, where he joined the commando wing of the SAAF, rising to the rank of commandant. He died in Knysna in 1998.