On Lee-On-Solent Memorial is the name of FAA/FX 86789 Petty Officer Airman Robinson Rigby serving on H.M.S. Illustrious with the Royal Navy who died 11/06/1944.

The son of Frederick H. and Charlesina Rigby, of North Shields.

The Shields Daily News 19/06/1944, inserted in the Ralph Gardner School scrapbook, reports the following:
North Shields Fleet Air Arm P.O. Killed.
Official confirmation has been received by Mrs. F. Rigby of 9 Willoughby Road, North Shields, that her only son, Petty Officer Robinson Rigby has been killed as a result of an accident while on service with the Fleet Air Arm in the Far East.

Aged 22, he was educated at Chirton and Ralph Gardner Schools and then went on to serve his time as a motor mechanic but left to work for the Air Ministry. Her served for two years as a flight engineer and volunteered for service with the Fleet Air Arm two years ago.

Petty Officer Rigby was a prominent member of North Shields Boys’ Club and afterwards at the Educational Club at Maryport, near Silloth.

Robinson Rigby is remembered in our List of Ships’ Crews.