Peterborough & The Great War

Biography

Andrew Sime Rollo was serving with 45 Squadron Royal Flying Corps, based at Sedgeford when he passed through Peterborough East Station in the period around 25 May 1916.

Andrew was born on 14 May 1896 in Largs, Ayrshire, the son of John Imrie and Agnes (nee Sime).  In 1901, Andrew (4) was living in Largs with his parents and three siblings.  His father was a domestic coachman.

Andrew Rollo enlisted with the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) on 15 January 1916, aged 19 years and 8 months, and at the time was living at 31 Park Terrace Lane, Glasgow.  He served in France with 45 Squadron RFC from 7 October 1916 to 22 May 1917.  On 1 April 1918, on formation of the Royal Air Force, he was appointed Chief Mechanic.  Early in 1919, he was with the 62 Training Squadron at Georgetown Dispersal Centre and joined the Royal Air Force Reserve on 8 March 1919.  He was awarded the British War and Allied Victory Medals.

Rollo was based at the WW1 Aerodrome at Sedgeford, in Norfolk.  ‘The RFC took over Sedgeford from the Naval Air Service in 1916 and 45 Squadron was the first RFC unit to be based there, commanded by Major William Ronald Read, originally from the 1st (King’s) Dragoon Guards. The squadron claimed 258 victories and 164 aircraft destroyed during the war.  RAF Cranwell is currently the home of 45(R) Squadron (2016)’.  http://bit.ly/2k4bKA2

Andrew married Margaret Steel at Marylebone in Spring 1923.  They had two children John (1925) and Sylvia (1934).  The family appear to have emigrated to Spain in June 1936, but unrest in Europe was probably the reason for them appearing in the 1939 Register where Andrew is living alone at 144 Wood Lane, Heston and Isleworth M.B., Middlesex, England.  It states that he is married, and his occupation is mechanical engineer and draughtsman in charge.

Andrew died in 1941 at Brentford, Middlesex, aged 45 years.

Andrew’s older brother, William served with 7^th Battalion, Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders and was killed in action in France on 10 September 1915; he is commemorated at Nord-Pas-de-Calais, France.

Please get in touch if you can tell us more about Andrew or his family.