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Air Commodore F W Thompson (60758)


Francis William             b: 9 Jul 1914                r: 11 Aug 1962                     d: 19 Feb 1994

CBE - 1 Jan 1957, DSO – 26 Sep 1944, DFC 14 Apr 1942, AFC – 1 Jan 1944, MiD - 2 Jun 1943, BSc.

(RAFVR): Sgt: xx xxx xxxx, Plt Off (P): 25 Dec 1940, Fg Off (P) (WS): 14 Oct 1941, Flt Lt (WS): 19 Nov 1941,  Fg Off: 25 Dec 1941, Act Sqn Ldr: xx xxx 1941?, Act Wg Cdr: 29 Jun 1942?, Sqn Ldr (WS): 29 Dec 1942, Act Gp Capt: 5 Nov 1945, Wg Cdr (WS):  5 Nov 1945

(RAF): Sqn Ldr: 9 Jul 1946 [1 Sep 1945], Wg Cdr: 1 Jul 1947, Gp Capt: 1 Jul 1954, A/Cdre: 1 Jan 1960.

xx xxx xxxx:             Sergeant Pilot, RAFVR (777626)

25 Dec 1940:          Granted a commission in the RAFVR for the duration of hostilities

xx xxx 1940:            Staff, HQ No 4 (Bomber) Group.

xx xxx 1941:            Flight Commander, No 10 Sqn.

xx Dec 1941:           Officer Commanding/Chief Flying Instructor, No 1658 HCU.

 3 Feb 1944:            Officer Commanding, No 44 Sqn.

 9 Nov 1944           Posted to HQ No 7 Group

xx Nov 1944:          Officer Commanding?, Bomber Command Instructor's School.

xx xxx 1945:            Officer Commanding, RAF Heany.

9 Apr 1946:             Attended Course No 16, RAF Staff College (Overseas), Haifa.

9 Jul 1946:               Appointed to Permanent Commission in the rank of Squadron Leader (retaining rank current at the time).  [wef 1 Dec1945 antedated to 1 Sep 1945 on 25 Feb 1947]

 5 Oct 1946:            Air Staff, HQ RAF Mediterranean and Middle East.

20 Nov 1947:          Air Staff, Directorate of Intelligence (Operations).

xx xxx 1949:            Air Staff, Air Intelligence (Joint Intelligence Staff)

12 Feb 1951:           Air Staff - Operations, HQ Coastal Command.

xx xxx 1953:            Officer Commanding, Anti Submarine Warfare Development Unit.

xx Jun 1954:            Officer Commanding, RAF Luqa.

15 Apr 1957:           Deputy Director, Directorate of Operational Requirements (A)/(1).

xx xxx 1960:            Attended Imperial Defence College.

xx xxx 1961:            Director of Guided Weapons.

Retired at his own request and became Chief Project Manager of the Air Weapons Division, De Havilland/Hawker Siddeley Dynamics.

Citation for the award of the Distinguished Service Order

"Acting Wing Commander Frederick William THOMPSON, D.F.C. A.F.C. (60758), R.A.F.V.R, 44 Sqn.

Since assuming command of  his  squadron this officer has completed numerous sorties against a variety of targets  On one occasion en route to Stuttgart, his aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire, disabling one engine, which caught fire.  The fire was eventually extinguished although not before considerable height had been lost. Nevertheless, displaying the determination and efficiency which has characterized his operational career.  Wing Commander Thompson continued his mission and completed a successful attack.  On the return journey a second engine gave trouble, necessitating a landing in adverse weather shortly after crossing the English coast.  By his personal example of determination, courage and enthusiasm this officer has raised the efficiency an morale of his squadron to a very high level."

(London Gazette - 26 September 1944)


Citation for the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross

"THOMPSON, Frederick William, Act Sqn Ldr (60758, Royal Air Force) No.10 Squadron.

This officer, as captain of aircraft, joined the squadron in April 1941, and four months later assumed command of a flight.  In the course of his many operational missions, Squadron Leader Thompson has displayed outstanding persistence to achieve success.  In his efforts to bomb and then photograph his targets, he is dissatisfied with anything but the best results.  Possessing great dash and powers of endurance, enemy opposition leaves him unmoved and his tenacity of purpose remains unshaken in any circumstances.  His technical knowledge has enabled him to become an expert advisor on flying problems and tactical decisions."

(Source - RAF Quarterly, September 1942)


Citation for the award of a Mention in Despatches

"THOMPSON, Frederick William, Act Wg Cdr (60758, RAFVR) - No.1658 Conversion Unit.

This officer is a chief flying instructor and, since December 1941, has commanded a conversion unit which he formed at a time when the demand for Halifax aircraft was very great.  He is a fine instructor who never spares himself and he has shown outstanding leadership and enthusiasm which have resulted in a consistently high type of operational crews."

(Source - Air 2/9609 originally drafted for a Air Force Cross when he had flown 300 instructional hours.)


Citation for the award of the Air Force Cross

"THOMPSON, Frederick William, Act Wg Cdr, DFC (60758, Royal Air Force) - No.1658 Conversion Unit.

This officer has commanded the unit since its formation and has displayed untiring energy and enthusiasm in his duties.  He has maintained a high standard of efficiency throughout the unit and has done much for the Halifax training of No.4 Group."

(Source - Air 2/8959 drafted when he had flown 90 instructional hours.)

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