Collier, Thomas
Personal Information
Rank | Sgt |
Forename(s) | Thomas |
Surname | Collier |
Gender | M |
Age | 22 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 01-09-1943 |
Next of Kin | Son of Abraham Thomas Collier and Mary Ann Collier, of Droylsden, Lancashire. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Short Stirling III |
Serial Number | EE879 |
Markings | OJ-G |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | Germany |
Burial/Memorial Place | Berlin 1939-1945 War Cemetery |
Grave Reference | Coll. grave 8. L. 7-17. |
Epitaph | IN LOVING MEMORY OF MY BELOVED SON, KILLED IN ACTION. SADLY MISSED BY ALL |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 146 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | 1379918 |
Service | Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve |
Group | 3 |
Squadron | 149 (East India) |
Trade | Air Gunner |
Country of Origin | United Kingdom |
Other Memorials
Location | St. George's Church, Methwold, Norfolk |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Roll of Honour & inscribed window |
Memorial Text | Roll of Honour of 149 Sqn RAF and a window remembering the men and women of all Nations who served at RAF Methwold, 1939-1945 |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1003/16 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1003/15 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 31-08-1943 |
End Date | 01-09-1943 |
Takeoff Station | Lakenheath |
Day/Night Raid | Night (1% moon) |
Operation | Berlin. 622 aircraft, 47 losses (7.6%). Stirling losses were some 16.0% Fighter flares were used by the German night-fighters for the first time to mark the path of the main force both into and out of the target area. This raid was not a success. Cloud, combined with the now familiar problems with the H2S equipment and the effective defences of the city conspired to make the PFF marking very difficult. Creepback was an additional problem and it is said that the fires stretched back some 30 miles! Only 85 homes were destroyed. There were 68 deaths. Goebbels ordered that all children and any adults not engaged in war work be evacuated to the country. |
Reason for Loss | Crashed NNW of Ludwigsfelde |