Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Pilot Officer

Unit:

No. 61 Squadron, Royal Air Force

Awarded on:

June 2nd, 1944

Citation:
"Pilot Officer Rolton has taken part in a large number of attacks against important and highly defended German targets. He has consistently displayed exceptional courage and devotion to duty, while his initiative and resourcefulness were amply demonstrated in November 1943 during a sortie to Dusseldorf. While en route to the target his aircraft was attacked and heavily damaged, the navigator being killed and the wireless operator fatally wounded. The captain and flight engineer were also wounded. Nevertheless, the target was successfully bombed. Afterwards the aircraft fell into a dive. Leaving his position, Pilot Officer Rolton went to the pilot’s cabin, where he found the navigator dead and the pilot slumped in his seat. He gave the flight engineer assistance in regaining control of the aircraft, and as all compasses and navigation charts were lost, reset course by the Pole star. Eventually, by the untiring efforts of Pilot Officer Rolton, with the assistance of the wounded flight engineer, the aircraft reached England and crash landed in a field."