Cusson, Thomas Frederick
Personal Information
Rank | P/O |
Forename(s) | Thomas Frederick |
Surname | Cusson |
Gender | M |
Age | 32 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 17-06-1944 |
Next of Kin | Son of Frederick and Ellen Cusson. Husband of Helen Fergusson Cusson, of Glasgow. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Handley Page Halifax III |
Serial Number | MZ711 |
Markings | KN-T |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | Germany |
Burial/Memorial Place | Reichswald Forest War Cemetery |
Grave Reference | 7. E. 13. |
Epitaph | UNTIL THE DAY BREAK |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 152 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | 162810 |
Service | Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve |
Group | 4 |
Squadron | 77 |
Trade | Navigator |
Country of Origin | United Kingdom |
Other Memorials
Location | Holy Trinity Church, Elvington, North Yorkshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Stained Glass Window & Roll of Honour |
Memorial Text | Memorial windows and Roll of Honour for 77 Sqn. R.A.F. |
Location | Yorkshire Air Museum, Elvington North Yorkshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Marble Column with Metal Sculpture and Plaques |
Memorial Text | Memorial to 77 Sqn. R.A.F. City of Lancaster's own |
Miscellaneous Information
P/O Cusson's six fellow crew members all became PoW |
Born 6 April 1912 in West Derby, Lancashire. The 1939 England & Wales Register records him living in Clifton, Bristol with his wife, Helen, and he is a Butchers District Manager. |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 16-06-1944 |
End Date | 17-06-1944 |
Takeoff Station | Full Sutton |
Day/Night Raid | Night (16% moon) |
Operation | Sterkrade to bomb a synthetic oil plant, despite a poor local weather forecast The target was indeed covered in thick cloud and the PFF markers were not easily visible. Bombing was scattered as a result and there was little impact on production. The bomber stream passed within 30 miles of the Tame Boar night-fighter beacon that was being used that night, resulting in large bomber losses on the approach. Total losses for the night were 31 aircraft (13.6%) although losses among certain squadrons were higher still- notably 77 Sqn which Lost 7 of its 23 aircraft (30.3%). |
Reason for Loss | Crashed in the target area |