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Telegram to George Thomson's father
Informs him that his son Sgt George Thomson was missing as a result of air operations on night 12/13 September 1944,
Royal visit
The King wearing uniform of marshal of the RAF, Queen and Princess front and centre of a large group of airmen.
Two photographs of Royal visit
Two versions of the same photograph, the bottom one is annotated with names. Both images show the Queen and Princess in the middle front of a group of airmen wearing battledress. Bottom one identifies some airmen: (F/E) D J Haynes, Jock White (WOp),…
Two photographs of Royal visit
Top - the King standing (centre) addressing airmen, The Queen and Princess stand to his left. Behind them are senior officers. Bottom photograph is the same but annotates with arrows: Gp Capt R H Young DSO, DFC, (Station Commander RAF Mildenhall);…
Air and ground crew
Seven aircrew and two ground personnel standing and squatting in front of a Lancaster. Text indicates pilot Flight Lieutenant Wesble Perry DFC RAAF, Pilot Officer G Schmerberg, navigator, Flight Sergeant Park, WOp, Pilot Officer R Conway RAAF, bomb…
Bill Parke and Geoff Stokes
Flying officer William Parke (left) and his friend pilot Flying Officer Geoff Stokes standing in front of Lancaster 'LM238, LS-T' at RSF Mildenhall during 1944. Both completed tours and were awarded Distinguished Flying Cross.
Wing Commander William Watkins DSO, DFC & Bar
Officer commanding 15 Squadron. Gives details of being shot down while operating as master bomber with Flight Lieutenant Frederick Saunders. Was the only survivor of crew and was prisoner of war. Includes half length b/w photograph of Watkins wearing…
Bomber Command loss
Gives details of loss of George Thomson's Lancaster. Notes operation details, location of loss and cause. Notes shot down by night fighter piloted by Oberfeldwbel Heinrich Schmidt (2NG6). List crew with status: pilot Norman Overend and mid upper…
Operation details - loss of aircraft
Form with operation data: date, squadron, type of aircraft, cause, other data, location of fix, target, bomb load. Lists crew members and notes Overend N R and Beverton H G both killed the others all safe as prisoners of war.
Lancaster and crew
Left - side view of Lancaster 'LS-P' parked on dispersal.
Right - seven aircrew wearing battledress standing and squatting in front of a hut with window.
Right - seven aircrew wearing battledress standing and squatting in front of a hut with window.
Royal visit to Mildenhall
Top - King George VI, Queen Elizabeth and Princess Elizabeth meet crews of 15 Squadron accompanied by senior officers. 5 July 1944. Bottom - air and ground crew lined up in front of Lancaster, captioned 'Lancaster J "Jig" of No 15 Squadron showing…
No 15 Squadron 2nd order for 8 August 1944
Lists thirteen (plus one spare) aircraft, letter, captain and crews for operations on 8 August 1944. George's crew marked with asterisk. Notes at bottom. Three copies of document.
Three photographs: squadron, aircraft and crew
Top - squadron photograph of large group of airmen in five rows in front of a Lancaster.
Bottom left - side view of a Lancaster 'LS-P' parked on dispersal.
Bottom right - seven aircrew, five standing and two squatting in front. George Thomson…
Bottom left - side view of a Lancaster 'LS-P' parked on dispersal.
Bottom right - seven aircrew, five standing and two squatting in front. George Thomson…
Squadron photograph
A very large group of airmen sitting and standing in five rows in front of a Lancaster. A dog sits in front of centre airmen in front row. Two versions of the image, on the reverse of the second 'No 15 Squadron Mildenhall, 1944'.
Lancaster on dispersal
Side view of a Lancaster, squadron letters 'LS-P' parked on dispersal.
George Thomson's prisoner of war diary
George Thomson’s prisoner of war diary in a wartime log supplied by the YMCA.
Describes being shot down and includes a day-by-day account of his life as a prisoner of war from 11 November 1944 to 25 May 1945. Includes descriptions of sports and…
Describes being shot down and includes a day-by-day account of his life as a prisoner of war from 11 November 1944 to 25 May 1945. Includes descriptions of sports and…
Questions to George Thomson from Mair Harris
Twenty six questions about persons of interest, where previously based, operations, aircraft, casualties, evasion training, other questions about prisoners and camp life, food, locations and other matters. Answers provided on third page.
George Thomson prisoner of war debrief questions
Provides answers to 10 questions about personal details, operation, how brought down and how he escaped aircraft. Followed by 9 questions on capture and experiences in prisoner of war camp and effects it had on him. Concludes asking about post war…
Letter to Mr Thomson from OC 15 Squadron
Writes that regulations do not permit him to supply the names and addresses of the next of kin of his son's crew. He does supply the crews names and if Mr Thomson would care to write to them and send the letter to him, he would forward them on. List…
A young man walking backwards
Starts with description of early childhood, growing up and attending school in the Glasgow area. Having been in the air training corps, he volunteers for the RAF. Briefly covers his training before joining 15 Squadron flying Lancaster from RAF…
Ray Lippiard note of postings and locations
Gives a list of major postings from 1936 to 1968. Include some notable events. War time includes posting to 15 Squadron including deployment to France, airfield attacked by Ju 87, Return to England and move to Blenheim squadron with several locations…
Conversation with Ray Lippiard
Ray talks a little of pre-war activities before joining 15 Squadron, including Battles at RAF Abingdon and being deployed to France in 1939, which is where he was when war broke out. He describes an airfield being attacked by Ju 87. On returning to…
15 Squadron Battle Order for 19 May 1944
A list of aircraft and aircrew prepared for an operation. Sergeant Crew is included as wireless operator in aircraft L.7566.
15 Squadron Battle Order for 17 February 1944
A list of aircraft and aircrew prepared for an operation. Sergeant Crew is included as wireless operator in aircraft L.7566. The order is annotated 'cancelled'.