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Air Commodore D L Thomson (16102)


Donald Leslie               b: 19 Oct 1903               r: 29 Sep 1955                     d: 5 Jan 973

DSO - 22 Sep 1944, DFC - 30 Oct 1942, MiD - 8 Jun 1944, MiD – 1 Jan 1946.

Plt Off: 15 Aug 1923, Fg Off: 15 Feb 1925, Flt Lt: 29 May 1929, Sqn Ldr: 1 Dec 1936, (T) Wg Cdr: 1 Jan 1940, (T) Gp Capt: 1 Dec 1941, Wg Cdr: 14 Apr 1942 [1 Jan 1940], Act A/Cdre: 19 Oct 1944, Gp Capt (WS): 19 Apr 1945, (T) A/Cdre: 1 Jan 1946, Gp Capt: 1 Jan 1946, A/Cdre: 1 Jan 1953.

15 Sep 1921:            Flight Cadet, 'B' Sqn, RAF College.

15 Aug 1923:          Pilot, No 39 Sqn (Spittlegate)

27 Nov 1924:          Pilot, No 60 Sqn (DH9A - Risalpur)

12 Feb 1929:           Staff, Aircraft Depot, India.

 9 Nov 1929:            Flight Commander, No 111 Sqn. (arrived on 1 Feb 1930)

25 Jun 1934:             Adjutant/Flying Instructor, No 608 (North Riding) Sqn AuxAF.

 5 Mar 1935:            Supernumerary - non effective (sick), RAF Depot.

?

16 Dec 1935:           QFI, No 5 FTS.

 4 Jan 1937:             CFI?, No 9 FTS.

25 Oct 1938:            Supernumerary, No 84 Sqn.

15 Nov 1938:           Officer Commanding, No 84 Sqn.

28 Jan 1940:             Personnel Staff Officer, HQ British Forces in Iraq.

xx Aug 1941:            Officer Commanding, RAF ?

xx xxx xxxx:              Officer Commanding, RAF ?

xx xxx xxxx:              Officer Commanding, RAF ? (No 32 Base)

19 Oct 1944:            AOC, No 44 Base, RAF Holme-on-Spalding-Moor

15 Sep 1945:            SASO, AHQ Levant.

22 Apr 1946:            SASO, AHQ RAF Italy

xx xxx 1946:             SASO, HQ, No 219 Group

 1 Dec 1946:            SASO, No 205 Group

23 Feb 1953:            SASO, HQ No 61 (Eastern) Group.

In the competitive selection tests for entry into Cranwell, held in mid 1921, he achieved a score of 6,761.  He attained the rank of Flt Cdt Cpl at Cranwell.  He died in the Kensington area.

Citation for the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross.

“Group Captain Donald Leslie THOMSON.

Group Captain Thomson has participated recently in several bombing sorties, all of which were successful.  He is a most inspiring leader whose skill has contributed materially to the high standard of efficiency of the unit which he commands.”

(London Gazette – 30 October 1942)


Citation for the award of the Distinguished Service Order.

Group Captain Donald Leslie THOMSON, D.F.C., R.A.F.

Group Captain Thomson has completed numerous sorties including attacks against the most heavily defended German, targets. He has displayed excellent qualities of leadership and his perfect example of coolness and cheerful courage has been an inspiration to his squadron."

(London Gazette - 22 September 1944)


Citation for the award of a Mention in Despatches

"THOMSON, Donald Leslie, G/C, DSO, DFC (16102, Royal Air Force) - No.32 Base, Bomber Command.

This officer formerly served in Iraq.  Since his return from that country he has commanded successively four operational stations and has carried out the duties of Base Commander since October 1944.  He has displayed zeal and energy and has shown himself to be a capable and efficient officer."

(Source - Air 2/9121)

This page was last updated on 08/12/23©

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