Charliegolf, there were two differences. One was that he was not the PIC and the other, as I was careful to point out, was that it was not that long after the war and there were still DFC holders etc on the sqns.
PS
In the early 80s we also had a pilot that took himself off flying as he believed he was ill. The Docs were adamant that he was not and suggested it was a phobia.
He paid for a private specialist who eventually determined that the man was indeed ill. After a period of recuperation he returned to full flying duties. No suggestion of LMF by us then.