Operation: Transit

Date: 16th September 1940 (Monday)

Unit: No. 19 OTU (Operational Training Unit)

Type: Miles Magister Mk I

Serial: T9814

Base: RAF Kinloss, Morayshire, Scotland

Location: South of Dalwhinnie, Scotland

Pilot: Sqr/Ldr. Chester William McKinley Thompson 18081 RAF Age 41. Killed

Took off from RAF Kinloss to fly to RAF Manby, Lincolnshire. The aircraft crashed at 16:38hrs. into high ground South of Dalwhinnie, Scotland. An investigation suggested that the aircraft had not been fitted with a full blind flying panel

(left) No. 22 Squadron 1918. Pilots and observers handing over papers etc. before going on patrol. This was to prevent any information reaching the enemy in the event of a forced landing. (right) The cockpit of a Miles Magister

Burial details:

Sqr/Ldr. Chester William McKinley Thompson. Kinloss Abbey Burial Ground, Morayshire, Scotland. Grave 1. Row A. Son of William and Mary Ellen McKinley Thompson. Husband of Frances Thompson. Chester was born on the 11th April 1899 in Woburn, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA.

1917 26th September - Royal Flying Corp. General List. Cadet Chester William McKinley Thompson to be temp. 2nd Lieutenant. 1918 while serving with No. 22 Squadron Lt. Thompson was shot down and became a POW on 29th September and repatriated on the 30th December 1918. While still a POW Temp. 2nd Lt. C. W. McK. Thompson RFC confirmed in the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. 1923 6th November - General Duties Branch RAF. Chester William McKinley Thompson was granted a short service commission as Flying Officer. In 1928. F/O. Chester William McKinley Thompson promoted to the rank of Flight Lieutenant. 1935 5th April. Royal Air Force Reserve Flight Lieutenant Chester William McKinley Thompson was transferred from Class A to Class C. 1937 19th May. Flight Lieutenant Chester William McKinley Thompson promoted to Squadron Leader. At the time of his death Chester's address was The R.A.F. Club, Piccadilly, London. He is remembered on the Queen's University War Memorial, Belfast

Researched by: Kate Tame for Aircrew Remembered and for all the relatives and friends of the crew. Acknowledgements: With special thanks to Carol Fleetwood, niece of the pilot who contacted us in November 2016 and supplied his photograph, The Scottish War Graves Project, London Gazette Archives, Imperial War Museum, other sources as quoted.

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