An American Volunteer with the Royal Flying Corp

[IMPERIAL QUEST]

This grouping has just about everything an aviation collector could want, and is definitely one that could never become "old hat". It would be VERY hard to improve upon something like this. Tom is a very lucky man...

[Dirt Detective]

How have I missed this thread ??? Spent the morning reading every page. Fantastic grouping. Thanks for taking the time to post.

[Croix de Guerre]

Your welcome and thanks for the kind words!

[101combatvet]

This group is awesome!

[Croix de Guerre]

Since I am being nostalgic and resurrecting some old ghosts from the past, I thought I might dig up these old bones that caused a degree of consternation for me and a few others. Sometimes things seem darker than perhaps they really were.

 

Here is an example of the Mark V flying helmet and goggles as worn by Thomson on that fateful day in June.

[Croix de Guerre]

Since I am being nostalgic and resurrecting some old ghosts from the past, I thought I might dig up these old bones that caused a degree of consternation for me and a few others. Sometimes things seem darker than perhaps they really were.

 

Here is an example of the Mark V flying helmet and goggles worn by Thomson on that fateful day in June.

[Croix de Guerre]

Since I am being nostalgic and resurrecting some old ghosts from the past, I thought I might dig up these old bones that caused a degree of consternation for me and a few others. Sometimes things seem darker than perhaps they really were.

 

Here is an example of the Mark V flying helmet and goggles worn by Thomson on that fateful day in June.

[Croix de Guerre]

A day or so later on a sunny Sunday morning, Thomson was transferred to the city jail in Courtrai, Belgium. He found several other prisoners there both British and Belgian. It was at Courtrai that Tommy began to believe in angels for they were visited by three women – one English (a Mrs. Fosatti who had been interned since 1914, a French woman and a Belgian) who had formed a volunteer committee to visit allied prisoners. Their visits were tolerated by the Germans and the prisoners were very appreciative of the gifts of toothpaste, a fresh shirt and strawberries. In addition to these gifts the men were visited by the young daughter of a local baker by the name of de Saegher. The young girls name was Julia and chaperoned by her brother Henri, she passed the gauntlet of frowning German guards to bring the men fresh rolls twice a week. The morning Thomson was transferred out of Courtrai, Julia presented Tommy with a parcel containing fresh eggs, sardines, rolls and butter, worth at that time, their weight in gold.

 

Years later in 1940 when the German army again rolled across the fertile lands of Belgium, Thomson wondered what had ever become of the little girl who had shown so much bravery and kindness to him when he was a prisoner of war. He wrote a small poem titled “The Child of Courtrai” which was published in the New York Herald Tribune. Little did Thomson know that the young girl was now grown, married and living in the United States. The poem was noticed by a freind of Julia's and she quickly contacted the paper to let Thomson know of her whereabouts. Enquires were made, letters written and telegrams sent and a touching reunion was arranged. The local press picked up the story and several newspaper articles were written. Eventually even Time magazine got wind of the coincidence and ran a short story about it in the June 24th issue in 1940.

 

Note that in the photo both of them are looking at the diary Thomson kept during his time a POW.

 

 

Update: After quite a bit of research and a little luck, I was able to make contact with the son of Julia de Saegher; the "Child of Courtrai", the young girl who came to Tommy's aid during the first days after his capture. Julia's son, now a grown man, fondly remembered meeting Thomson in 1940 when his mother and Tommy were reunited. He was kind enough to share this photo of his mother with me and I am deeply in his debt.

 

Julia de Saegher the Child of Courtrai exactly as she appeared in 1918.

[Chris Liontas]

Update: After quite a bit of research and a little luck, I was able to make contact with the son of Julia de Saegher; the "Child of Courtrai", the young girl who came to Tommy's aid during the first days after his capture. Julia's son, now a grown man, fondly remembered meeting Thomson in 1940 when his mother and Tommy were reunited. He was kind enough to share this photo of his mother with me and I am deeply in his debt.

 

Julia de Saegher the Child of Courtrai exactly as she appeared in 1918.

 

 

AWESOME!!! This group just gets better and better!!! Grats man!

[Croix de Guerre]

AWESOME!!! This group just gets better and better!!! Grats man!

 

Thanks Chris, more to come.

[Croix de Guerre]

Hey fellas, I'd like to ressurect this thead once again to ask if any one knows where I might be able to find a pair of fug boots and a british flying coat?

[Croix de Guerre]

74 Squadron Roster

 

May to June 1918

 

1. Gen. Sir Pierre Van Ryneveld – Wing Commander

2. Major Keith Logan “Grid” Caldwell – Commanding Officer of 74 Squadron

3. Lt. Harry Coverdale – Gunnery/Armaments Officer

4. Lt. Clifford “Split Pins” Mansfield – Equipment Officer

5. Captain William Joseph Julius Mount Everad – Recording Officer/Adjutant

 

“A” Flight

 

1. Major Edward “Mick” Mannock; “A” Flight C.O.

2. Lt. Harris G. “Clem” Clements

3. Lt. Benjamin “Dad” Roxburgh-Smith

4. Lt. Henry Hamer

5. Lt. Henry E. “Bolo” Dolan – K.I.A. May 12, 1918

6. Lt. Percy F.C. “Swazi” Howe

7. Lt. Geoffrey M. Atkinson

 

“B” Flight

 

8. Capt. Wilfred E. Young; “B” Flight C.O.

9. Lt. Clive Beverly Glynski” Glynn

10. Lt. Andrew C. “Dixie” Kiddie

11. Lt. Gerald R. “Zulu” Savage

12. Lt. John R. “Boy” Piggot

13. Lt. Ronald E. “Buddy” Bright – K.I.A. May 1918

14. Lt. Phillip James “Poet” Stuart-Smith – K.I.A. May 1918

 

 

“C” Flight

 

15. Lt. Wilfred Bertie “Twist” Giles; “C” Flight C.O.

16. Lt. Reginald Allan “Queenie” Birch

17. Lt. Charles Edward Lloyd Skeddon – American volunteer; K.I.A May 1918

18. Lt. Sydney Claude Hamilton Begbie – K.I.A.

19. Lt. Leonard Atwood “Spearmint” Richardson – American volunteer; known as the “Cocktail King”; W.I.A. July 19, 1918

20. Lt. James Ira Thomas “Taffy” Jones

21. Lt. Leigh Morphew Nixon – K.I.A. May 17, 1918; Fours days after reporting to 74 Squadron

22. Lt. Lambert Francis Barton – K.I.A. by anti-aircraft fire May 17, 1918

23. Lt. Henry O’Hara – died in aeroplane accident at airfield May 25, 1918

24. Frederick John “Mike” Hunt

25. Lt. Sydney “Timbertoes” Carlin

[gamsdivision1944]

wow!

[Croix de Guerre]

Remembering Tommy this weekend,,,,Thank you and God Bless.

[Croix de Guerre]

New quote from one of Tommy's letters; dated April 6, 1917

 

"I have helped write a few high sounding paragraphs on the war (to appear under Filene’s name) but I have come to the conclusion that when I do go to France it will be to get a few Huns and not merely to save civilization. I’ll do jolly well to save myself, let alone liberty and the rest of the virtues of mankind."

[manayunkman]

Fred,

 

WOW. An amazing group, wonderful story and to bring the two boys back together again is almost spiritual.

 

John

[Croix de Guerre]

I just got through transcribing this letter and I looked at the date and realized that Tommy wrote this 93 years ago today.

 

Gefangenenlager, Ingolstadt

Fort X 2 October 1918

 

Ruth dearest,

 

Two letters from you today. It’s hard to believe the sentence as I write it, but it’s true. At last they are here, yours of June 13, and July 23-24; also three from home, one written after they had heard I was a prisoner. How dear and lovely your letters are, just like yourself. There surely are many between these dates, and now I shall expect them with more hope. It’s three and a half, nearly four months since I have had a letters. How I have waited patiently, now that I look back, it’s more than I can tell. I do hope some of my early ones got through to you long ago. I can’t make out from your letters exactly when or how you received the news, but I judge Alan Aragon had something to do with it, and when you write him tell him I am ever so grateful. Perhaps earlier letters, arriving later, will give the history of it.

 

You are quite too good and generous; the package you sent off in July contains needed articles and I appreciate your shipping in my behalf. Yes, I remember your neckwear and some day you can have the choosing of all. Sending via American Red Cross, Berne, or the Royal Air Force Aid Committee, Surrey House, Marble Arch, London, is the best.

 

The R.A.F. are sending me food parcels, six each month. I am getting biscuit parcels from the Bureau de Secours Anglais, Berne. That is also a good address for parcels from America. Cox’s are sending my kit of clothes, etc. I have already had two American emergency food parcels, one R.A.F. and one box of biscuits. Seven of us are in one room here and we all pool our stuff, even cigarettes so we manage very well.

 

I have sent home a list of things, but you have anticipated most of my wishes in your excellent parcel. The heavy sweater and socks will be fine for winter. In sending things dear, use your own judgment. It’s better than a list, already you have sent tons, I am so grateful.

 

I have so much to say and such limited space. No; I do no work. In fact the life here is like the lily – neither toiling nor spinning. We get outside for a walk or sports once a week. Today we were out for three hours, on parole, of course. There is room to exercise inside the fort and opportunity to play an occasional game of tennis. I read a good deal, help daily in translating the war bulletins, and keep myself employed fairly well. One day each week I am cook. All of us are getting good domestic training. Our room is acknowledged the neatest in the fort. We even have an old cuckoo (the bird has flown away) clock which adds a home-like touch. I am in good health and at the moment in good spirits.

 

It is so wonderful to see your hand writing again and to have you tell me you love me so dearly and devotedly. I wonder at times when I have failed so often and again, how you can, but then I cease to try to figure it out and take it as an accepted and inexplicable fact. If you only keep on loving me! Don’t forget me. You come to mind so often each day and at times you are so near, and always so dear. Dream – yes I do, by night and day too; sometimes I am climbing Sugar Loaf Mt. or sitting with you in front of the fire.

 

I touch your hand – I seem to – then I waken and I know I am still a gefangener. Just about a year ago I came on that unexpected leave. I pray another year will bring me back. My faith is still strong and my love even greater. We will soon see the end of the long, long trail of waiting. I love you truly, dearly, devotedly Ruth dearest.

 

Tommy

[Croix de Guerre]

Fred,

 

WOW. An amazing group, wonderful story and to bring the two boys back together again is almost spiritual.

 

John

 

 

Thanks John! :thumbsup: But who is Fred?

 

Tom

[Croix de Guerre]

Model of the plane Thomson was flying the evening he was shot down.

 

 

 

 

http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/ind...mp;#entry980680

[Croix de Guerre]

Model of the plane Thomson was flying the evening he was shot down.

http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/ind...mp;#entry980680

[Croix de Guerre]

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[Croix de Guerre]

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[jerseygary]

Now that is a great companion piece to an already stellar grouping! I have a question, the "F" is rather sloppy compared to the tail markings, was the original like that? I always expect the Brits' buses to have very regimented and clean markings, these look rushed. Do you have photos of the original plane? Great model and the detail is top notch. Is this a trend with you and can we expect an ambulance model to go with the Waldo Pearce group as well?

[trenchbuff]

Going back and reading this thread is like pulling a favorite book off the shelf for a re-read. Great job Tom and I'm thrilled to hear the happy ending.

[Wingcommander]

I just read through this thread......I'm speechless. This is the kind of grouping I dream about!