Flt Lt Nicky Ross

Published on Monday 12 May 2008 21:08

WARTIME bomber pilot who survived 77 operations

Born: 1 August, 1917, in Greenock.

Died: 18 April, 2008, aged 90.

FLIGHT Lieutenant Nicky Ross, DSO, DFC, AE, was one of the most experienced bomber pilots of the Second World War, completing three operational tours at a time when the odds on a bomber crew member surviving his first were just one in three.

He and his crew volunteered to join 617 Squadron, of "Dam Busters" fame, in October 1943. Under Leonard Cheshire's inspiring leadership, the squadron became the leading proponents of precision bombing, using low-level marking techniques to attack pinpoint targets in Germany and occupied Europe.

Using special ordnance including Barnes Wallis's 12,000lb "Tallboy" bombs, 617 attacked specialised targets, many of which could not have been destroyed by the main force without heavy civilian losses, if at all.

The targets attacked by Ross, many successfully, included aero-engine plants, V weapons sites, E-boat pens and railway tunnels. On the eve of D-Day, sharing the pilot's seat with fellow Scot Arthur Fearn, he took part in Operation Taxable, dropping metal strips to create false returns on the German radar and give the impression that an invasion fleet was heading to the Pas de Calais, and not Normandy.

In July 1944, after completing 28 ops with 617, Ross was forcibly taken off operational flying for the last time, and shortly afterwards was awarded an immediate Distinguished Service Order – as a gallantry award for officers this was second only to the Victoria Cross. The citation stated: "This officer has completed a very large number of sorties and the successes obtained are a very fine testimony to his great skill, courage and resolution. He is a model captain, whose strong sense of duty, gallantry and resource have set an example of the highest order."

Nicoll Ramsay Ross was born in Greenock, the son of a bank official. The family later moved to Edinburgh, where Nicky finished his schooling at the Edinburgh Academy, before starting employment at the age of 17 with the British Linen Bank.

He volunteered for service as a pilot in July 1939 – realising war was coming he thought he would try for something "with a bit of excitement". After training, in January 1941 Ross was posted as a sergeant pilot to 40 Squadron, flying the Vickers Wellington, with which he flew 26 ops, most of which were against naval installations in France and Germany.

At the end of his first tour, as a rest from operations, he was posted as a training instructor, though he still flew a further four ops, including the first three "thousand-bomber raids".

Returning to operations in early 1943, Ross was posted to 103 Squadron flying the Avro Lancaster, and teamed up with the crew that, with the exception of the navigator, would remain with him until July 1944.

Ross's tour with 103 coincided with what later historians would call the Battle of the Ruhr, Bomber Command's attempt to knock out Germany's well defended industrial heartland. Of his 19 trips at this time only four were to targets outside of the Ruhr.

Towards the end of the tour, they were ordered to fly a Lancaster to the United States – the first time this had been done – for experimental trials with the USAAF. They departed from Prestwick on 28 June and whilst in the States were involved in the dropping of two "Bren gun carrier type" vehicles by parachute from various heights. During their stay Ross was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the accompanying citation noting that "his fine fighting spirit and great devotion to duty have been a source of inspiration to the other members of his squadron."

Following their return to the UK (and as a two-tour veteran with no further requirement for Ross to return to operations) the whole crew volunteered for 617, having previously been asked to join one month after the dams raid. Due to the heavy losses 617 had recently suffered, their CO told them – to little effect – that they "must be mad", as it was now regarded as "a suicide squadron".

Leaving the RAF as a flight lieutenant in 1946, Ross rejoined at the time of the Berlin airlift and formally left the air force for the last time in 1958. He returned once more to banking, working for the Bank of Scotland, in Princes Street, Edinburgh, and finally as manager of the Newington branch.

Following his retirement, Ross devoted himself to a simple life at his home in Lasswade, Midlothian, with his wife Doris (nee Lyle) whom he married in 1946, and a succession of rough collies. Always of a practical bent, he enjoyed gardening and repairing or restoring Jaguar cars.

An extremely modest man, with a wry and sometimes mischievous sense of humour, Ross became a much-loved and respected member of the community. He was devoted to his wife and cared for her in the several years before her death in 2006. They had no children.