[Luc Vervoort]

Hi Larry,

He is mentioned in The London Gazette nr.34927 of 20/10/1940 (page 4):

Quote

Acting Flight Lieutenant Roderick Alastair
Brook LEAROYD (37860).
This officer, as first pilot of a Hampden
aircraft, has repeatedly shown the highest
conception of his duty and complete indifference
to personal danger in making
attacks at the lowest altitudes regardless of
opposition. On the night of I2th August,
1940, he was detailed to attack a special
objective on the Dortmund-Ems Canal. He
had attacked this objective on a previous
occasion and was well aware of the risks
entailed. To achieve success it was necessary
to approach from a direction well known to
the enemy, through a lane of especially disposed
anti-aircraft defences, and in the face
of the most intense point blank fire from
guns of all calibres. The reception of the
preceding aircraft might well have deterred
the stoutest heart, all being hit and two lost.
Flight Lieutenant Learoyd nevertheless made
his attack at 150 feet, his aircraft being
repeatedly hit and large pieces of the main
planes torn away. He was almost blinded
by the glare of many searchlights at close
range but pressed home this attack with the
greatest resolution and skill. He subsequently
brought his wrecked aircraft home and, as.
the landing flaps were inoperative and the
undercarriage indicators out of action, waited
for dawn in the vicinity of his aerodrome
before landing, which he accomplished
without causing injury to his crew or further
damage to the aircraft. The high courage,
skill and determination, which this officer
has invariably displayed on many occasions
in the face of the enemy, sets an example
which is unsurpassed.

Unquote

Best regards from Belgium

Luc