On November 7, two poppy wreaths were laid at the base of a Supermarine Spitfire and Hawker Hurricane aircraft at the Battle of Britain Museum in Stanmore.

This was dedicated to the men and women of headquarters Fighter Command at Bentley Priory — both during war and peace.

On the afternoon of the same day, a wreath was laid on the grave of Captain William Leefe Robinson VC RFC in remembrance of this very brave young man.

On the night of September 2, 1916 this 21-year-old man was “scrambled” to fly out in his BE2cs aircraft.

Half-an-hour later, Airship SL11 was wreaking destruction over north London. Robinson, attracted by the commotion over Ponders End and Enfield Highway, flew alongside and riddled its entire length with bullets.

The airship crashed to the ground over Cuffley in Hertfordshire.

Robinson was awarded the Victoria Cross at Windsor Castle by King George VI on September 9, 1916.

Later on, Robinson was posted to France, flying missions into enemy lines. He was shot down and became a prisoner of war of the Germans, but escaped through Europe back into England.

A short time after his return, he visited friends in Gordon Avenue, Stanmore. His health started to deteriorate and a few days later, he died from Spanish Flu, which he contracted while in France.

At the age of 23, he was laid to rest at All Saints Cemetery in Harrow Weald,.

The wreaths were donated by the volunteers and friends of the Royal Flying Corps Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome.

I hope your readers find this information of interest and congratulations to the Mayor of Harrow and his team for refurbishing this very brave young man’s grave.

In the future, could the people of Harrow and Stanmore please remember the people who served our country in the First World War by also laying wreaths at the Battle of Britain Museum Bentley Priory and at the base of the Spitfire and Hurricane aircraft.

John Foster

Volunteer at SMGW Aerodrome, Purleigh, Essex