Menzies Campbell Calls for the Return of ‘MacRobert’s Reply’

10.19.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 15th Jun 2009

Sir Menzies Campbell has written to the Secretary of State for Defence in support of a campaign which seeks to honour the Scottish aristocrat known as the ‘Fairy Godmother of the RAF’.

During the Second World War Lady Rachel MacRobert donated money to the RAF so that they could buy a Stirling bomber after losing her three sons (two of whom died in action). The campaign seeks to commemorate her links with Fighter Command and is calling on the RAF to name one of its new Eurofighters “MacRobert Spirit – Not for Self But For Country” which is the MacRobert family motto.

Commenting, Sir Menzies said:

“This is a story steeped in history, sacrifice and honour. I have no doubt that this generation of fighter pilots would be proud to serve their country flying an aircraft which carried the MacRobert motto.

“Scottish sons and daughters have made a distinguished contribution to the RAF over the decades and this would be a fitting commemoration to all of them.”

Notes;

Following the death of the last of her sons in 1941 Lady Rachel MacRobert gave money to the RAF to buy a Stirling Bomber. The aircraft was called the ‘MacRobert’s Reply’. In total 7 RAF bombers carried the name.

The current campaign is being championed by Ian MacFarlane whose father was Group Captain Robert MacFarlane, the chief instructor for the RAF’s first jet bomber unit.