The Uniform Tunics of George F Thomson RAF 74 Squadron

[Croix de Guerre]

I thought I might share this with you all.  These tunics are part of a large group of uniforms, artifacts, medals, photos and paperwork all identified to George F. Thomson of Craig, Missouri USA.  Thomson volunteered with the RFC in Canada where he was trained as a pursuit pilot.  He was sent to 74 Squadron in May as a replacement and flew in "Mick" Mannock's A Flight.  Thomson was shot down and captured June 12, 1918 while on an evening patrol.  Ltn. Josef Schafer of Jasta 16b was given credited for Thomson's downing.  Thomson crash landed approximately 13 miles north-west of Armentières where he was immediately captured by German infantry.  Thomson spent the remainder of the war as a POW.  After the war he returned to the United States and passed away in 1959.

 

The cuff-rank tunic in the foreground was the uniform Thomson was wearing when he was shot down June 12, 1918.  

 

[FROGSMILE]

They are great artefacts to have and thank you very much for sharing them here for us all to see.  It’s a minor point but perhaps worth mentioning that in British practice they are jackets rather than tunics.  The latter were a full dress garment (like the Queen’s Guards wear today) and had no external pockets.  Both the RFC and the RAF had patterns of tunic.

[Kimberley John Lindsay]

Dear Croix de Guerre,

Super RFC uniform with Sam Browne including story to Lieut G. F. Thomson.

Well done for posting this!

Perhaps you could attach a period photo of George Thomson himself? To put a face to the uniform, as it were.

I assume he was awarded the BWM and Victory Medal for his efforts...

A GWF afficionadi could also contribute a picture of Ltn Josef Schäfer, for example, to complete the circle. (I had not heard of Jasta 16b.)

Kindest regards,

Kim.

[Croix de Guerre]

The attached photo if George "Tommy" Thomson in June 1918.  This photo was taken while Tommy was a prisoner at Karlsruhe POW camp.  The cuff-rank jacket he is wearing is the same one in the post above.

His medals in their original boxes

[Croix de Guerre]

Thomson's Green RAF Jacket and visor cap.  

[Croix de Guerre]

Ltn. Josef Schafer at the controls of the Pfalz aircraft he was flying the day he shot Tommy down.  Tommy was his first victory.  He went on to claim two more before he himself was shot down and killed October 10, 1918.

 

11/08/1914 Train-Ersatzabteilung
04/10/1914 Feldlazarett 8
24/12/1914 Gefreiter 
15/05/1915 9.IR
16/10/1915 1.Kompanie 9.IR ins Feld
06/01/1916 Unteroffizier
15/06/1916 9.IR
11/11/1916 Flieger-Ersatz-Abteilung 1 b Schleißheim
31/01/1917 Militär-Flieger-Schule 1 Schleißheim
07/06/1917 Armee-Flug-Park 7
29/07/1917 Schutzstaffel 22 b
12/08/1917 Vizefeldwebel
11/01/1918 Jasta 16 b
22/04/1918 Leutnant
10/10/1918 gefallen

31/10/1917 bayer. Militär-Verdienst-Kreuz 2 mit Schwertern
20/04/1916 EK 2

[Kimberley John Lindsay]

Dear Croix de Guerre,

Many thanks for that.

The various photos round out the Lt Thomson saga extremely well - even to extent of listing Schäfer's decorations. 

Kindest regards,

Kim.

[Dragoon]

Fantastic! 

Thank you for sharing these wonderful photos of his uniforms, and a bit of history about him as well, great stuff!

 

Chris

[mark holden]

Superb group with a cast iron attribution and to a pilot no less. Many thanks for sharing the pictures.

 

regards 

 

Mark 

[Bobby L]

I’m interested to know where this is displayed. This man was my great uncle.

[JOVE23]

Pinging @Croix de Guerre in case he hasn't seen this request.