George Thomson (RAF officer)

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George Thomson
Born3 October 1896
Thornhill, Dumfries, Scotland
DiedPost August 1918
AllegianceFlag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom [1]
Service / branch Royal Flying Corps
Royal Air Force
RankLieutenant
Unit No. 22 Squadron RAF
Awards DFC

George Thomson DFC (born 3 October 1896, date of death unknown) was a Canadian First World War flying ace, officially credited with 14 victories. [2]

Contents

Born in Thornhill, Dumfries, Scotland, Thomson emigrated to Canada. Working as a printer in Celista, British Columbia, Thomson enlisted in 1914, serving in the 30th Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force and the 48th Highlanders of Canada. Thomson was wounded twice while serving with the 7/8th King's Own Scottish Borderers. In October 1917 Thomson transferred to the RAF, and in 1918 he was posted to the 22 Squadron as an observer, where he scored 14 victories. Thomson returned to the Home Establishment in August 1918 to be trained as a pilot. [2] His death date is unknown, although he is not listed among the few surviving World War I veterans. [3]

Text of citations

"Lieut. George Thomson (King's Own Scottish Borderers).

A brilliant and intrepid observer in whom his pilot places implicit confidence when engaged in action. He has personally accounted for nine enemy machines. On one raid, when acting as escort, 15 enemy aeroplanes were encountered; of these this officer shot down two, which crashed, and one out of control." Supplement to The London Gazette, 21 September 1918 (30913/11255) [2]

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References

Notes

  1. Canadian airmen were required to complete an Attestation Paper in which they declared an oath of allegiance to King George the Fifth and agreed to serve in any arm of the service for the duration of the war between Great Britain and Germany. aerodrome.com
  2. 1 2 3 "George Thomson". www.theaerodrome.com. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
  3. "Last Living Veterans". firstworldwar.cloudworth.com. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 23 January 2010.

Websites

"WWI Aces of Canada". theaerodrome.com. Retrieved 14 June 2008.