Thompson, Walter McNaught
Personal Information
Rank | F/O |
Forename(s) | Walter McNaught |
Surname | Thompson |
Gender | M |
Age | 23 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 24-10-1942 |
Next of Kin | Son of Walter R. Thompson and of Jean Thompson (Nee McNaught). Husband of O. Ruth Thompson, of Pearce, Alberta, Canada. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Short Stirling I |
Serial Number | R9241 |
Markings | HA-L |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | United Kingdom |
Burial/Memorial Place | Ipswich Old Cemetery |
Grave Reference | Sec. C. Div. 31. Grave 50. |
Epitaph | HE LOVED HIS GOD, HIS COUNTRY AND HIS DEAR ONES MORE THAN HIS OWN LIFE |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 253 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | J/10239 |
Service | Royal Canadian Air Force |
Group | 3 |
Squadron | 218 (Gold Coast) |
Trade | Pilot |
Country of Origin | Canada |
Other Memorials
Location | St. Mary's Church, Bexwell, Norfolk |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Inscribed Stone Tablet |
Memorial Text | In memory of the squadrons based at R.A.F. Downham Market and those who have their lives during the 1939 - 1945 war |
Location | All Saints Church, Chedburgh, Suffolk |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | RoH and Sqn Crest |
Memorial Text | Roll of Honour and scroll remembering the members of the Royal and Polish Air Forces who served at RAF Chedburgh 1942 - 1946 |
Miscellaneous Information
The rear gunner baled out at low level and survived, although he was killed in action a year later |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1350/20 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1350/19 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 24-10-1942 |
End Date | 25-10-1942 |
Takeoff Station | Downham Market |
Day/Night Raid | Night (99% moon) |
Operation | Milan. 71 aircraft, 6 losses (8.5%). Second raid on Berlin in as many days (the previous one having been a surprise daylight attack). Bad weather en route dispersed the formation and only 39 claimed to have hit the target. A disappointing raid after the success of the one a day earlier. |
Reason for Loss | Engine fire could not be controlled and the aircraft broke up in the air, crashing 8 miles SSW of Ipswich |