Flight Lieutenant Robert Stephenson Cromie M.D., M.M.S.A.

Among those killed in the bombing raids which devastated Kenley on the 18th August, 1940, was Flight Lieutenant Robert Cromie, No.615 Squadron’s much loved Medical Officer.

Along with other medical staff and patients, Robert had sought refuge in air raid shelter No. 13, adjacent to the station hospital block. However, bombs fell at both ends of the crescent shaped shelter, effectively entombing those inside. All of those in the central section of the shelter were dug out alive, although most had been injured. However, Dr. Cromie was not so fortunate.

Laurie Hale, a member of 615 Squadron’s “B” Flight ground crew, remembered Dr. Cromie:

The great tragedy of the day was the loss of life in air-raid shelter No.13. It was located outside the sick-bay and in it at that moment was Flight Lieutenant R. Cromie, the auxiliary squadron medical officer who had joined us in peacetime and at the outbreak of war gave up his local practice to come with us to France. I remember seeing Doc Cromie whip off his jacket and rugby tackle Tom Cronin at Vitry when Tom’s trousers were soaked in petrol and flaming.

Information about his service is scant, but  we know Dr. Cromie was posted from 615 Squadron, Croydon, to RAF Kenley on 3rd October, 1939, and that he joined 615 Squadron in Vitry, France, as Medical Officer on 21st December, 1939, visited 615’s detached Flight at St. Inglevert on 29th December, and had compassionate leave from 2nd – 8th February.

Robert was the son of Samuel James Cromie and Sarah Morton Cromie, of High Street, Ballymoney, County Antrim. He was educated at Ballymoney High School and graduated from Queen’s University, Belfast. After further study in England, he graduated with an M.D. from Queen’s University by thesis, in 1932. The following year he married Mabel, the only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Mercer, of “Brantryville,” Hawthornden Road, Knock, Belfast, at the Presbyterian church in Knock. The couple went on to have one son, Robert Graham Cromie and settled down at “Murlan Chase,” Alexander Road in Coulsdon, where Cromie practiced as a G.P. with McMurtry and Jackson. In 1936, he was involved in an unusual court case when Nellie Kitchen, a London woman, threw an empty milk bottle at his car while he was overtaking. She was charged with “discharging a missile from a car,” and said that she thought it was a foolish thing to have done. In 1939, Cromie was fined 40s for speeding in Brighton Rd, Purley –  his second speeding offence. In his defence, he stated that he had been on his way to an important conference and hadn’t wanted to be late. Dr. Cromie qualified as a pilot shortly after joining the Auxiliary Air Force. It is believed that he owned a share in a private aircraft. His loss was keenly felt in Coulsdon, where he had served the community as a doctor for eight years.

Rest in peace Sir and thank you for your service.