Serial Number: NZ
RNZAF Trade: Pilot
Date of Enlistment:
Rank Achieved: Flying Officer
Flying Hours: hours
Operational Sorties: ops

Date of Birth: 11th of August 1922, at Auckland
Personal Details: Robin was the son of Major and Mrs Robert S. Alford of Taotaoroa, near Cambridge. Before the war he'd been a farmhand. Robin was married to Jocelyn (nee Tonks) and they had three children
Details of Death: Robin Alford died around 1984

Service Details: Rob trained as a pilot and went onto fly Lockheed Hudson and Ventura bombers in the Pacific with No 3 Squadron RNZAF. He was involved in a well publicised event, as detailed in the following clippings from the Waikato Independent newspaper.

Connection with Cambridge: Rob had lived in the Cambridge district for many years before joining the RNZAF, and his family were well known in the area. His father, Major Alford was the commander of the Cambridge Home Guard Battalion during the war from 1941 to 1943.

Report from the Waikato Independent, 14th of January 1944

CAMBRIDGE AIRMAN
Among The Zeros
Flying Officer R. Alford

On December 27 an NZEF war correspondent radioed a despatch which included the story of New Zealand's fighters' score of 12 Japanese planes over Rabaul. The report referred to fighter sweeps on Christmas Eve and it further stated: - “In the late afternoon Venturas on patrol were interrupted by a swarm of Zeros and of nine which attacked two Venturas two were destroyed and three others damaged.

Both Venturas got home, but one was riddled with 21 holes and the rudder shot away. The other was damaged. In spite of the punishment taken by the planes the crews returned “all smiles” from this successful engagement.” To Cambridge readers greater interest attaches to this portion of the report for the reason that the pilot of one of the planes was Flying Officer Robin Alford of Taotaoroa (Cambridge) and the other was piloted by Flying Officer Alford's mate, Flying Officer Dick Trayes.

This report was taken from the Waikato Independent, dated the 26th of January 1944

A GRIM FIGHT
Two Against Twelve
Cambridge Pilot's Escape

In a fierce running battle over the southern sea approach to Rabaul, two Ventura bombers of the RNZAF outfought a dozen Zeros and made good their escape after shooting two of the enemy into the sea and probably destroying three more and damaging another two. Both the New Zealand aircraft were damaged, but landed safely at their base. An official account of the battle describes it as a grim dogfight. One of the Venturas was captained and piloted by Pilot Officer D.F. Ayson (New Plymouth). This plane shot down two Japanese fighters for certain and so damaged another three as to make them possible losses. The aircraft received 21 hits. The report further states: - The other Ventura was jumped by three Zeros from above. Two of the enemy pressed the attack home, causing damage to the bomber's port motor and cutting tail trim and rudder control cables. The attackers scored numerous hits throughout the plane, but tracer was seen going into two Zeros and smoke was seen coming from the cowl of one. The Ventura started taking evasive action. As soon as it had levelled out it got into cloud and jettisoned the bombs. It continued cloud hopping for quarter of an hour, then set a course for home. The crew of this aircraft were Flying Officer R.J. Alford (Cambridge) captain, Flying Officer A.W. McClelland (North Canterbury), wireless operator. Flight Sergeant R.J.F. Reid (Auckland) Flight Sergeant J.O. Leaf (Auckland), as fire controller in the astro hatch, and Sergeant Whiting, turret gunner.

Waikato Independent reports that mention Robin Alford
Farewelled with Wallet 1 May 1942
Taotaoroa gave him a suitcase 8 May 1942
Among the Zeros 14 Jan 1944
Two Against Twelve 26 Jan 1944
Welcome Home 9 Aug 1944