Group Captain Gilbert Stuart Martin Insall VC,MC

Gilbert Stuart Martin InsallVCMC (May 14, 1894-February 17, 1972) was a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highestand most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Insall was 21 years old, and a Second Lieutenant in the 11Squadron, Royal Flying Corps during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded theVC.

On 7 November1915 near Achiet, France, Second Lieutenant Insall, on patrol in a Vickers F.B.5 Gunbus, engaged an enemy machine, forcing the other pilot to make a rough landing in a plowed field. Seeing the Germans scramble out preparing tofire, Insall dove to 500 ft and his gunner opened fire, whereupon the Germans fled. After dropping an incendiary bomb on the downed German aircraft, Insall flew through heavy fire at 2000 ft over enemy trenches. The Vickers' petrol tank was hit, but Insall brought the plane 500 ft backinside Allied lines for an emergency landing. After he and the gunner repaired the machine overnight, Insall flew them back to base at dawn.

Insall later achieved the rank of Group Captain.

After the War, Insall remained in the RAF and on a clear day in1925 spotted a strange formation of pits in the ground below him. He took a photograph, and from this one photograph comes the rediscovery of the Bronze Age site now known as Woodhenge two miles from Stonehenge (Crawford, Air-Photography for Archaeologists 1929). In 1929 he similarly discovered Arminghall Henge.

Insall's headstone is in Nocton Churchyard, Lincolnshire. His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Royal Air Force Museum in Hendon.

 

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