inoperable wing flaps and a useless undercarriage. Wing damage, though serious, had fortunately missed the wing petrol tanks. Despite this damage the bombs were duly dropped and Learoyd managed to get his crippled plane back to England where he decided that a night landing would be too dangerous for his crippled aircraft and so circled base until first light, finally safely landing without causing injury to his crew or further damage to his aircraft. The Victoria Cross was awarded at an investiture on 9 September 1940, by which time Learoyd, taken off operations and promoted to substantive flight lieutenant, was acting temporarily as personal assistant to Air Chief Marshal Sir Sir Robert Brooke-Popham. Victoria Cross citation The announcement and accompanying citation for the decoration was published in a supplement to the London Gazette on 20 August 1940, reading: Later career Learoyd was promoted to squadron leader by 1942. He served in No. 44 Squadron for the remainder of the war. After surviving the war, Learoyd returned to civilian life, first as a VIP pilot and later as an export sales manager in the motor industry. He remained in the RAF reserves until 9 February 1958, when he retired with the rank of wing commander. His VC is on display in the Lord Ashcroft Gallery at the Imperial War Museum, London. References External links Location of grave and VC medal (West Sussex) Contemporary article about the action Imperial War Museum Interview 1913 births 1996 deaths People from Folkestone Royal Air Force officers British World War II pilots British World War II bomber pilots Royal Air Force personnel of World War II Royal Air Force recipients of the Victoria Cross British World War II recipients of the Victoria Cross People educated at Wellington College, Berkshire Military personnel from Kent