Thompson, Thomas (807161)

Thomas Thompson was the son of Thomas (Senior) and Doris Thompson of Castletown, Sunderland. He joined the Auxiliary Air Force and posted to 61Sqn as a Flight Engineer who at the time was based at Syerston with Lancaster I bombers. On 19th September 1942 the squadron was tasked with a raid on München. The whole mission was to include 69 Lancasters and 21 Stirlings. Sgt Thompson and crew were assigned Lancaster I W4166

W4166 was one of a batch of 450 Manchesters ordered from A.V.Roe (Chadderton) in January 1940 of which 207 were built as Lancaster I's including W4166. It was delivered to 61Sqn on 31 August 1942 and took place on key raids on Bremen on 13/14th September on 16/17th to Essen.

Thompson and crew took-off Syerston at 19:45, unfortunately in the early hours of 20th September while flying over Germany a  night-fighter (Nachtjäger) from either NJG2 or NJG4 shot down the aircraft killing all on-board, the Lancaster crashing into woods on the west side of the town of Cochem.

All are buried at the Rheinberg War Cemetery.


Photo courtesy of D. Thompson
  • Sgt R. R. B. Owen (RAAF)
  • Sgt T. Thompson
  • P/O W. H. Donovan (RCAF)
  • F/S J. O. Tuller (RCAF)
  • Sgt D. T. McLean (RAAF)
  • Sgt A. G. Sale
  • Sgt P. J. Maxwell
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    Photo courtesy of D. Thompson