Thomas, Alfred William Swinburne
Personal Information
Rank | Sgt |
Forename(s) | Alfred William Swinburne |
Surname | Thomas |
Gender | M |
Age | 28 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 18-05-1940 |
Next of Kin | Son of Walter Swinburne Thomas and Edith Thomas. Husband of Mary Edith. Thomas, of Wigston Fields, Leicestershire. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Bristol Blenheim IV |
Serial Number | L8863 |
Markings |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | France |
Burial/Memorial Place | Houchin British Cemetery |
Grave Reference | Plot 4. Row B. Grave 3. |
Epitaph | PER ARDUA AD ASTRA TOWARDS THE STARS |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 252 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | 562935 |
Service | Royal Air Force |
Group | 2 |
Squadron | 18 (Burma) |
Trade | Pilot |
Country of Origin | United Kingdom |
Miscellaneous Information
. |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 16-05-1940 |
End Date | 16-05-1940 |
Takeoff Station | |
Day/Night Raid | Day |
Operation | Reconnaissance |
Reason for Loss | Sergeant Thomas had made a successful recce for 52 Wing the previous day. With his same crew and the same Blenheim (L8863) they made a similar sortie but were hit by ground fire. Thomas was hit in the neck by a bullet which passed out through his jaw on the other side. In spite of his injury, he got the aircraft back to Vitry and landed, where he and his observer, Sergeant Talbot, who had been wounded in the arm, were sent to a casualty clearing station. Sadly, Thomas died, due not only to the wound, which was serious, but which was not helped by the enforced move of the CCS because of the enemy's advance." |