Gilbert Stuart Martin Insall (VC, MC) was a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

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

On 7 November 1915 near Achiet , France, Second Lieutenant Insall, on patrol in a Vickers F.B.5 Gunbus, engaged an enemy machine, the pilot of which was eventually forced to make a rough landing in a ploughed field. Seeing the Germans scramble out preparing to fire, the lieutenant dived to 500ft and his gunner opened fire, whereupon they fled. After dropping an incendiary bomb on the German aircraft he flew through heavy fire, at 2000ft over enemy trenches. The Vickers' petrol tank was hit, but the lieutenant managed to land near a wood 500ft inside Allied lines and he and his gunner, after repairing the machine during the night, flew back to base at dawn.

He later achieved the rank of Group Captain.

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Royal Air Force Museum (Hendon, England).

Reference

• Monuments To Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
• The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
• VCs of the First World War - Air VCs (P G Cooksley, 1999)

External links

• Location of grave and VC medal (South Yorkshire)
• G.S.M. Insall

This page has been migrated from the Victoria Cross Reference with permission.