W/Cmdr R. F. T. Doe was born on 10th March, 1920, in Reigate, Surrey.
Bob Doe, a shy schoolboy, was walking home after classes to his parent’s cottage in rural Surrey when an RAF biplane fighter force-landed in a field close to the road. “I was able to walk around it, touch it and feel what was to me the beginning of the mystery of aviation.”

After leaving school he started work for the News of the World newspaper as an office boy until March 1938 when he joined the RAFVR (Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve) and made his first solo flight on June 4th of that year.

Robert Doe was successful with his application for a short service commission and joined the RAF in January 1939. His flying training was carried out with 15 E&RFTS ( Elementary & Reserve Flying Training School) at Redhill, Surrey and finally with 6 FTS ( Flying Training School) at Little Rissington before being posted to 234 Squadron at Leaconfield on 6th November, 1939.
Serving with 234 Squadron at the start of the Battle of Britain, Robert claimed his first victory on 15th August when he shot down two Bf110’s. Further successes were to follow during the remainder of August, claiming a Bf109 and a probable Do18 on the 16th, a Bf109 destroyed and another Bf109 damaged on the 18th, he shared in the destruction of a Ju88 on the 21st and shot down a Bf109 on the 26th.
During September, as the Battle continued its intensity, Doe’s competence as an outstanding fighter pilot was further demonstrated with victories throughout the month. He shot down three Bf109’s on the 4th, a Bf109 on the 5th, damaged three Do17’s and shot down a Bf109 on the 6th and destroyed an He111 on the 7th. Later, on the 27th he was posted to 238 Squadron based at Middle Wallop in Wiltshire and claimed his first victory for the squadron on the 30th when he shot down an He111.

Doe began October, 1940, as he had finished the previous month. He shot down a Bf109 on the 1st and a Ju88 on the 7th. These were to be his last aerial victories of the battle and of the war. During combat with Bf109’s over Dorset on 10th October, just after 1200hrs, Robert was shot down in his Hurricane over Warmwell. He baled out, wounded in the leg and shoulder and landed at Brownsea Island while his stricken Hurricane crashed near Corfe Castle Viaduct. He was admitted to Poole Hospital and remained in recovery until December, 1940, when he rejoined the squadron.
On the 22nd October, 1940, Robert was awarded the DFC and received a further Bar a month later, on November 26th.

In January, 1941, while flying a night sortie, the oil in the cooler of his aircraft froze and during his attempt to land safely back at Warmwell the engine stopped completely. Landing heavily on the snow-covered airfield, Robert smashed his face against the reflector sight and broke his arm as his harness snapped. He was taken to Park Prewitt Hospital where he underwent twenty-two operations by the New Zealand surgeon, Harold Gillies.

On 15th May, 1941, he was posted as a Flight Commander to 66 Squadron and after three months joined 130 Squadron on 18th August. Later that year, on 22nd October, he was posted to 57 O.T.U. (Operational Training Unit) as an instructor.

On 9th June, 1943, Robert went to the Fighter Leaders School, at Milfield and then joined 118 Squadron at Coltishall in July. He then joined No 613 Squadron in August until October when he was posted to Burma.

In December, 1943, he was tasked with forming No. 10 (Indian Air Force) Squadron and commanded it throughout the Burma campaign until April 1945 when he joined the Army Staff College in Quetta and then the planning staff at Delhi in August.

On 2nd October, 1945, Robert received the Indian DSO, one of only two men to be honoured with this award.

In September 1946 he returned to the UK and held a number of staff positions and commands before retiring on April 1st 1966 with the rank of Wing Commander.