Operation: reconnaissance sortie
Date: 30th April 1940
Unit: No. 18 Squadron
Type: Blenheim MkIV
Serial: L8875
Code: WV-S
Base: Méharicourt France
Location: Brussels-Evére Belgium
Pilot: Sgt. Alfred William Swinburne Thomas 562935 RAF Age 28. Interned
Obs: Sgt J.J.F. Talbot RAF Interned
Air/Gnr: Sgt. Ronald Godfrey St. James-Smith 551203 RAF Interned
REASON FOR LOSS:
On 30th April 1940 he was on a reconnaissance sortie in Blenheim IV L8875 WV-S when their compass failed in a storm.
The pilot force-landed at Evere in Belgium and the crew, Sgt. Thomas, Sgt. Talbot and Sgt. James-Smith were interned. They were released after the Germans invaded Belgium on 10th May.
Burial details:
Sgt. Alfred William Swinburne Thomas. Houchin British Cemetery, France. Plot 4. Row B. Grave 3. Born in Plymouth , joining the RAF straight from school in 1928. Son of Walter Swinburne Thomas and Edith Thomas, husband of ‘Bobbie’ - Mary Edith Thomas née Robins, of Wigston Fields, Leicestershire, England. Served with 204 and 36 Squadrons in the Middle and Far East. Originally trained as an air gunner he was selected for pilot training and gained his wings in 1936, posted to 18 Squadron he flew Hinds and Harts prior to conversion on the Blenheim in 1938.
No others from this operation, other losses connected with this page:
F/O. Ronald Frederick Tapp. Sage War Cemetery. Grave 7.E.7. Son of William Frank and Rose Tapp, of Worthing, Sussex, husband of Audrey Doris Tapp, of Worthing, Sussex, England.
Fl/Sgt. James Anderton. Sage War Cemetery. Grave 7.C.4. Son of James and Alice Anderton, husband of Evelyn Anderton, of Hornsea, Yorkshire, England.
Fl/Sgt. Ronald Godfrey St. James-Smith. Runnymede Memorial. Panel 37. No further details, are you able to assist?
Researched by Michel Beckers for Aircrew Remembered - September 2015. Photographs from the collection of Michel Beckers.
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Last Modified: 20 September 2015, 14:04