An American Volunteer with the Royal Flying Corp

[Croix de Guerre]

I recieved a telephone call the other evening from a freind who saw this thread and he suggested I post some photos of the type of plane that Thomson was flying so here goes.

 

Thomson was flying an Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5a which differed from the earlier S.E.5 by a more powerful geared 200 hp Hispano-Suiza 8b engine.

 

 

A shot of the cockpit

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A shot of the cockpit

 

 

The Lewis Gun mounted on the top wing. The SE5a also had a Vickers mounted on the front to fire through the prop.

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The Lewis Gun mounted on the top wing. The SE5a also had a Vickers mounted on the front to fire through the prop.

 

 

Looking straight on. These great photos are from an SE5a on display at the Shuttleworth Museum in Bedfordshire, UK.

[Croix de Guerre]

The following are from a collection of prints that came with the Thomson group. They are a series of drawings done in the POW camp at Kamstigall, Prussia by an officer named S. Tresilian and are a good illustration of life in the camp. The originals are housed at the Imperial War Museum.

 

The Officer's Camp, Kamstigall, East Prussia, 1918

 

The "Appel" or morning roll call.

[Croix de Guerre]

The following are from a collection of prints that came with the Thomson group. They are a series of drawings done in the POW camp at Kamstigall, Prussia by an officer named S. Tresilian and are a good illustration of life in the camp. The originals are housed at the Imperial War Museum.

 

The Officer's Camp, Kamstigall, East Prussia, 1918

 

The "Appel" or morning roll call.

 

 

The view from Kamstigall across to the inland sea which had an outlet into the Baltic Ocean.

[Croix de Guerre]

The enterior of one of the officer's huts. Here twelve officers lived in cramped quarters.

[Belleauwood]

Tom, Awsome shots of the plane! - This is just a great post. Thanks for sharing!!

 

DJ

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A lecture by an R.A.F. Officer. Such lectures and classes kept the men busy and helped to pass the time.

 

The officers did their own washing as the British soldiers sent to the camp as orderlies were in a state of semi-starvation and were only fit to do light work.

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An officer making "wodge". A paste was made by pounding up hard biscuits and then other ingredients were added such as left over potatoes, a tin of "Machonchie", salt and water and then baked. The result - a wodge for six officers.

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The chief past time of all the prisoners was of course Writing Home.

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Close up of the side cap

 

 

Note : Canadian Buttons

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Note : Canadian Buttons

 

Officer's RFC Hat Pin

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Note : Canadian Buttons

 

Quilted Lineing - Size 7

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The letter written the next day by Thomson's commanding officer Keith Caldwell, informing Thomson's father that his son was missing from patrol.

 

 

A friend asked me to elaborate on some of the men that Thomson served with. His C.O. was Keith "Grid" Caldwell, the author of the letter to Tommy's parent written the day after he was shot down.

 

 

From the Aerodrome Forum:

 

Name: Keith Logan "Grid" Caldwell

 

 

Country: New Zealand

Rank: Major

Service: Royal Flying Corps

Units: 8, 60, 74

Victories: 25

Born: 16 October 1895

Place of Birth: Wellington, New Zealand

Died: 28 November 1980

Place of Death: New Zealand

 

Keith Logan Caldwell was a talented pilot who began the war in the New Zealand Territorial Infantry. Having already learned to fly, he traveled to England to join the Royal Flying Corps in April 1916. Following flight training, he was posted to 8 Squadron in France on 29 July 1916. After scoring his first victory with a B.E.2d, he was reassigned to 60 Squadron in November 1916. By September 1917, "Grid" downed seven enemy aircraft with Nieuport Scouts, then began flying the S.E.5a with which he scored his ninth victory on 15 September. Returning to England in October, he served as an instructor before returning to France in April 1918 as commanding officer of 74 Squadron. Before the war was over, Caldwell survived a mid-air collision and scored sixteen more victories. But for his poor marksmanship, some thought that "Grid" might have been one of the highest scoring aces of the war. Caldwell eventually returned to New Zealand where he became a farmer and married the sister of Frederick Gordon. During World War II, he served with the Royal New Zealand Air Force, attained the rank of Air Commodore and was awarded the CBE.

 

Military Cross (MC)

2nd Lt. (T./Capt.) Keith Logan Caldwell, R.F.C., Spec. Res.

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when leading offensive patrols. On one occasion he led a patrol of five machines against twelve hostile aircraft, all of which he drove down out of control. He has personally destroyed five hostile machines, and has had over fifty contests in the air, in all of which he has displayed splendid skill and fearlessness, and has set an excellent example to his squadron.

 

Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)

Capt. (A./Maj.) Keith Logan Caldwell, M.C. (FRANCE)

A fine fighting airman of courage and determination. On 4th September, when on offensive patrol, he, in company with another machine, attacked four Fokker biplanes; one of these was driven down by this officer. He has accounted for five enemy machines.

(M.C. gazetted 17th September, 1917.)

 

Victories

Date Time Unit Aircraft Opponent Location

1 18 Sep 1916 1930 8 B.E.2d (5735) 1 Roland C.II (DES) Grevillers-Bucquoy

2 11 Dec 1916 1030 60 Nieuport Albatros C (CAP) 2 Dainville

3 14 Jun 1917 0955 60 Nieuport (B1654) Albatros D.III (OOC) Drocourt

4 16 Jun 1917 2020 60 Nieuport (B1654) Albatros D.III (DES) 3 Vitry

5 24 Jun 1917 2010 60 Nieuport (B1654) Albatros D.III (DES) Douai

6 24 Jun 1917 2010 60 Nieuport (B1654) Albatros D.III (OOC) 4 Douai

7 03 Jul 1917 1750 60 Nieuport (B1654) Albatros D.III (OOC) Graincourt

8 15 Jul 1917 1950 60 Nieuport (B1654) Albatros D.III (DES) 5 Vitry

9 15 Sep 1917 1600 60 S.E.5a (B534) Albatros C (DES) St. Julien

10 12 Apr 1918 1935 74 S.E.5a (C5396) Albatros D.V (DES) SE of Deulemont

11 21 May 1918 1900 74 S.E.5a (C5396) Pfalz D.III (DES) W of Ypres

12 28 May 1918 1935 74 S.E.5a (C5396) Pfalz D.III (OOC) I 36

13 31 May 1918 1950 74 S.E.5a (C5396) Pfalz D.III (OOC) W of Ploegsteert Wood

14 01 Jun 1918 1945 74 S.E.5a (C5396) Pfalz D.III (OOC) E of Dickebusch

15 15 Jul 1918 0850 74 S.E.5a (D6864) Fokker D.VII (DES) S of Roulers

16 29 Jul 1918 1945 74 S.E.5a (D6864) Pfalz D.III (OOC) E of Dickebusch

17 30 Jul 1918 1130 74 S.E.5a (D6864) Fokker D.VII (OOC) W or Armentières

18 23 Aug 1918 1925 74 S.E.5a Fokker D.VII (DES) SE of Houthoulst Wood

19 04 Sep 1918 1930 74 S.E.5a (D6864) Fokker D.VII (DES) S of Lille

20 17 Sep 1918 1825 74 S.E.5a Fokker D.VII (DES) N of Courtrai

21 17 Sep 1918 1840 74 S.E.5a Fokker D.VII (OOC) NW of Courtrai

22 21 Sep 1918 1845 74 S.E.5a Fokker D.VII (OOC) Lille

23 24 Sep 1918 1030 74 S.E.5a Siemens-Schuckert D.IV (OOC) E of Armentières

24 14 Oct 1918 1100 74 S.E.5a (C1139) Fokker D.VII (DES) Ledgehem

25 30 Oct 1918 0825 74 S.E.5a Fokker D.VII (DES) Quaremont

[Croix de Guerre]

Edward "Mick" Mannock was Tommy's flight leader. After the war he commented he thought that if Mannock had been in command of the patrol of June 12, he would not have been shot down.

 

 

Name: Edward Corringham "Mick" Mannock

 

 

Country: England

Rank: Major

Service: Royal Flying Corps

Royal Air Force

Units: 40, 74, 85

Victories: 61

Born: 24 May 1887

Place of Birth: Aldershot

Died: 26 July 1918 K.I.A.

Place of Death: Near Lestrem

Memorial: Arras Flying Services Memorial, Pas de Calais, France

 

By the time Edward Corringham Mannock was twelve years old, his Scots father had abandoned his English wife and children, leaving them destitute. Mannock dropped out of school to take various jobs in order to help with the family finances.When the war began, he was interned in Turkey while working as an inspector for a British telephone company. After an unsuccessful escape attempt, he became deathly ill and was repatriated by the Turks in 1915. When he recovered, he joined the Royal Army Medical Corps before transferring to the Royal Engineers. Despite a congenital defect that left him virtually blind in his left eye, Mannock was accepted by the Royal Flying Corps in 1917, training under the scrutiny of James McCudden. In April, he was assigned to 40 Squadron where he got off to a slow start with his peers and his Nieuport scout. To the other flying officers, he seemed aloof and perhaps overly cautious in the air. It was not until a month later that he scored his first victory by flaming an enemy balloon. Eventually, Mannock earned the respect and friendship of men like Keith Caldwell. In February 1918, he was reassigned to 74 Squadron as a flight commander, scoring thirty six victories with an S.E.5a before replacing William Bishop as the commanding officer of 85 Squadron on 3 July 1918. Mannock never achieved the public notoriety of Albert Ball, but he was revered by his men and proved to be one of the greatest flight leaders of the war. Often physically ill before going on patrol, Mannock routinely shared victories with other pilots or didn't bother submitting claims for enemy aircraft he'd downed in combat. After selflessly sharing his 61st victory with Donald Inglis, a newcomer from New Zealand who had yet to score, Mannock was killed when his aircraft was shot down in flames by machine gun fire from the ground. Inglis was also brought down by ground fire but survived.

 

 

On 12 August 1917, Mannock shot down and captured Joachim von Bertrab of Jasta 30.

Mannock was credited with 46 victories while flying the S.E.5a.

On 18 July 1919, it was announced that Mannock had won the Victoria Cross.

 

Military Cross (MC)

T./2nd Lt. Edward Mannock, R.E. and R.F.C.

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. In the course of many combats he has driven off a large number of enemy machines, and has forced down three balloons, showing a very fine offensive spirit and great fearlessness in attacking the enemy at close range and low altitudes under heavy fire from the ground.

 

Military Cross (MC) Bar

T./2nd Lt. (T./Capt.) Edward Mannock, M.C., R.E. and R.F.C.

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He has destroyed several hostile machines and driven others down out of control. On one occasion he attacked a formation of five enemy machines single-handed and shot one down out of control. On another occasion, while engaged with an enemy machine, he was attacked by two others, one of which he forced to the ground. He has consistently shown great courage and initiative.

(M.C. gazetted 17th September, 1917.)

 

Distinguished Service Order (DSO)

T./2nd Lt. (T./Capt.) Edward Mannock, M.C., R.E., attd. R.A.F.

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during recent operations. In seven days, while leading patrols and in general engagements, he destroyed seven enemy machines, bringing his total in all to thirty. His leadership, dash and courage were of the highest order.

 

Distinguished Service Order (DSO) First Bar

T./2nd Lt. (T./Capt.) Edward Mannock, D.S.O., R.E., and R.A.F.

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. In company with one other scout this officer attacked eight enemy aeroplanes, shooting down one in flames. The next day, when leading his flight, he engaged eight enemy aeroplanes, destroying three himself. The same week he led his patrol against six enemy aeroplanes, shooting down the rear machine, which broke in pieces in the air. The following day he shot down an Albatross two-seater in flames, but later, meeting five scouts, had great difficulty in getting back, his machine being much shot about, but he destroyed one. Two days later, he shot down another two-seater in flames. Eight machines in five days�a fine feat of marksmanship and determination to get to close quarters. As a patrol leader he is unequalled. (D.S.O. gazetted in this Gazette.)

 

Distinguished Service Order (DSO) Second Bar

Lt. (T./Capt.) Edward Mannock, D.S.O., M.C. (formerly Royal Engineers).

This officer has now accounted for 48 enemy machines. His success is due to wonderful shooting and a determination to get to close quarters; to attain this he displays most skilful leadership and unfailing courage. These characteristics were markedly shown on a recent occasion when he attacked six hostile scouts, three of which he brought down. Later on the same day he attacked a two-seater, which crashed into a tree.

(The announcement of award of Distinguished Service Order, and First Bar thereto, will be published in a later Gazette.)

 

Victoria Cross (VC)

His Majesty the KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the Victoria Cross to the late Captain (acting Major) Edward Mannock, D.S.O., M.C., 85th Squadron Royal Air Force, in recognition of bravery of the first order in Aerial Combat: �

On the 17th June, 1918, he attacked a Halberstadt machine near Armentieres and destroyed it from a height of 8,000 feet.

On the 7th July, 1918, near Doulieu, he attacked and destroyed one Fokker (red-bodied) machine, which went vertically into the ground from a height of 1,500 feet. Shortly afterwards he ascended 1,000 feet and attacked another Fokker biplane, firing 60 rounds into it, which produced an immediate spin, resulting, it is believed, in a crash.

On the 14th July, 1918, near Merville, he attacked and crashed a Fokker from 7,000 feet, and brought a two-seater down damaged.

On the 19th July, 1918, near Merville, he fired 80 rounds into an Albatross two-seater, which went to the ground in flames.

On the 20th July, 1918, East of La Bassee, he attacked and crashed an enemy two-seater from a height of 10,000 feet.

About an hour afterwards he attacked at 8,000 feet a Fokker biplane near Steenwercke and drove it down out of control, emitting smoke.

On the 22nd July, 1918, near Armentieres, he destroyed an enemy triplane from a height of 10,000 feet.

Major Mannock was awarded the undermentioned distinctions for his previous combats in the air in France and Flanders: �

Military Cross. Gazetted 17th September, 1917.

Bar to Military Cross. Gazetted 18th October, 1917.

Distinguished Service Order. Gazetted 16th September, 1918.

Bar to Distinguished Service Order (1st). Gazetted 16th September, 1918.

Bar to Distinguished Service Order (2nd). Gazetted 3rd August, 1918.

This highly distinguished officer, during the whole of his career in the Royal Air Force, was an outstanding example of fearless courage, remarkable skill, devotion to duty and self-sacrifice, which has never been surpassed.

The total number of machines definitely accounted for by Major Mannock up to the date of his death in France (26th July, 1918) is fifty�the total specified in the Gazette of 3rd August, 1918, was incorrectly given as 48, instead of 41.

 

Victories

Date Time Unit Aircraft Opponent Location

1 07 May 1917 0935 40 Nieuport (A6733) Balloon (DES) Quierry la Motte

2 07 Jun 1917 0715 40 Nieuport 17 (B1552) Albatros D.III (OOC) N of Lille

3 12 Jul 1917 1010 40 Nieuport (B1682) DFW C (CAP) Avion

4 13 Jul 1917 0920 40 Nieuport (B1682) DFW C (OOC) Sallaumines

5 05 Aug 1917 1610 40 Nieuport (B3554) Albatros D.V (OOC) Avion

6 12 Aug 1917 1515 40 Nieuport (B3554) Albatros D.V (CAP) SE of Petit-Vimy

7 15 Aug 1917 1215 40 Nieuport (B3554) Albatros D.V (OOC) Lens

8 15 Aug 1917 1930 40 Nieuport (B3554) Albatros D.V (OOC) N of Lens

9 17 Aug 1917 1050 40 Nieuport (B3554) DFW C (DES) NE of Sallaumines

10 04 Sep 1917 1130 40 Nieuport 23 (B3607) DFW C (OOC) 1 E of Lens-Lievin

11 04 Sep 1917 1630 40 Nieuport 23 (B3607) DFW C (CAP) Petit-Vimy

12 11 Sep 1917 1115 40 Nieuport 23 (B3607) DFW C (OOC) Thelus-Oppy

13 20 Sep 1917 1735 40 Nieuport 23 (B3607) DFW C (OOC) Hulloch

14 23 Sep 1917 1645 40 Nieuport (B3541) C (DESF) Oppy

15 25 Sep 1917 1510 40 Nieuport 23 (B3607) Rumpler C (OOC) Sallaumines

16 01 Jan 1918 1135 40 S.E.5a (B665) DFW C (CAP) 2 Fampoux

17 12 Apr 1918 0900 74 S.E.5a (D278) Albatros D.V (DES) E of Merville

18 12 Apr 1918 1440 74 S.E.5a (D278) Albatros D.V (DES) Bois de Phalempin

19 23 Apr 1918 1810 74 S.E.5a (D278) Pfalz D.III (DESF) E of Merville

20 29 Apr 1918 1140 74 S.E.5a (D278) Fokker D.VII (DESF) S of Dickebusch Lake

21 30 Apr 1918 1140 74 S.E.5a (D278) Albatros C (CAP) 3 SE of Dickebusch Lake

22 03 May 1918 1855 74 S.E.5a (D278) LVG C (DES) 4 S of Merville

23 06 May 1918 0920 74 S.E.5a (D278) Fokker DR.I (DES) Gheluvelt

24 11 May 1918 1740 74 S.E.5a (C1112) Pfalz D.III (DESF) NE of Armentières

25 12 May 1918 1820 74 S.E.5a (C1112) Albatros D.V (DES) N of Wulverghem

26 12 May 1918 1820 74 S.E.5a (C1112) Albatros D.V (DES) N of Wulverghem

27 12 May 1918 1820 74 S.E.5a (C1112) Pfalz D.III (DES) N of Wulverghem

28 16 May 1918 1100 74 S.E.5a (C1112) Pfalz D.III (DES) SW of Houthoulst Forest

29 17 May 1918 1120 74 S.E.5a (D278) Pfalz D.III (DESF) S of Bailleul

30 17 May 1918 1430 74 S.E.5a (D278) Albatros C (DESF) NE of Ypres

31 18 May 1918 0825 74 S.E.5a (D278) Albatros C (DESF) Steenwerck

32 21 May 1918 0928 74 S.E.5a (D278) Hannover C (DES) La Courenne

33 21 May 1918 1900 74 S.E.5a (D278) Pfalz D.III (DES) Hollebeke

34 21 May 1918 1900 74 S.E.5a (D278) Pfalz D.III (DES) Hollebeke

35 21 May 1918 1905 74 S.E.5a (D278) Pfalz D.III (DES) S of Hollebeke

36 22 May 1918 abt 1815 74 S.E.5a (D278) Pfalz D.III (OOC) Fromelles

37 26 May 1918 1940 74 S.E.5a (D278) Pfalz D.III (DESF) ½ mi S of Bailleul

38 26 May 1918 1940 74 S.E.5a (D278) Albatros D.V (OOC) S of Bailleul

39 29 May 1918 1925 74 S.E.5a (C6468) Albatros D.V (DESF) NE of Armentières

40 29 May 1918 2005 74 S.E.5a (C6468) Albatros D.V (OOC) NE of Armentières

41 31 May 1918 1940 74 S.E.5a (C6468) Pfalz D.III (OOC) N of Wytschaete

42 01 Jun 1918 1630 74 S.E.5a (C6468) Pfalz D.III (DES) Estaires

43 01 Jun 1918 1630 74 S.E.5a (C6468) Pfalz D.III (DES) Estaires

44 01 Jun 1918 1630 74 S.E.5a (C6468) Pfalz D.III (OOC) Estaires

45 02 Jun 1918 1540 74 S.E.5a (C6468) Pfalz D.III (OOC) 2 mi S of Mt. Kemmel

46 06 Jun 1918 1540 74 S.E.5a (C6468) Fokker D.VII (DES) E of Ypres

47 06 Jun 1918 1945 74 S.E.5a (C6468) Pfalz D.III (DES) 5 2 mi W of Roulers

48 09 Jun 1918 0805 74 S.E.5a Albatros C (OOC) 6 S of Mt. Kemmel

49 09 Jun 1918 0810 74 S.E.5a Albatros C (DES) 7 S of Mt. Kemmel

50 16 Jun 1918 0745 74 S.E.5a (C5845) Pfalz D.III (DES) 3 mi S of Zillebeke Lake

51 16 Jun 1918 0745 74 S.E.5a (C5845) Pfalz D.III (OOC) 3 mi S of Zillebeke Lake

52 17 Jun 1918 0945 74 S.E.5a (C5845) Hannover C (DES) Armentières

53 07 Jul 1918 2020 85 S.E.5a (E1295) Fokker D.VII (DES) Doulieu

54 07 Jul 1918 2020 85 S.E.5a (E1295) Fokker D.VII (OOC) Doulieu

55 14 Jul 1918 0835 85 S.E.5a (E1295) Fokker D.VII (DES) N of Merville

56 19 Jul 1918 0823 85 S.E.5a (E1295) Albatros C (DES) Merville

57 20 Jul 1918 1117 85 S.E.5a (E1295) C (DES) NE of La Bassée

58 20 Jul 1918 1215 85 S.E.5a (E1295) Fokker D.VII (OOC) S of Steenwerck

59 20 Jul 1918 1215 85 S.E.5a (E1295) Fokker D.VII (OOC) S of Steenwerck

60 22 Jul 1918 0952 85 S.E.5a (E1295) Fokker DR.I (DES) Armentières

61 26 Jul 1918 0530 85 S.E.5a (E1295) C (DES) 8 Lestrem

[Bugme]

My God Tom! You didn't even find out what their favorite flavor of ice cream was! Seriously, the volume of information here is overwhelming!!!!

[Croix de Guerre]

Just got this in the mail from Northwestern U. This was from the Chicago Daily Tribune dated June 21, 1918.

[trenchbuff]

Amazing Tom! One of my favorite threads to visit.

 

Mark

[cthomas]

Amazing Tom! One of my favorite threads to visit.

 

Mark

 

 

And one of mine too...

 

(Crap...I've got to make another post soon! 66- is NOT a good number in my book)

[bobgee]

CdG - Just had the immense pleasure of going through this story------again. The Brits might have said back in the day, "Rather nice".

 

I say "What a freaking wonderful magnificent group and tale!" I too believe that this would make a fabulous article for the "Over The Front" Journal of the Association of WWI Historians. I hope you will be able to do it!

Bobgee

[Croix de Guerre]

CdG - Just had the immense pleasure of going through this story------again. The Brits might have said back in the day, "Rather nice".

 

I say "What a freaking wonderful magnificent group and tale!" I too believe that this would make a fabulous article for the "Over The Front" Journal of the Association of WWI Historians. I hope you will be able to do it!

Bobgee

 

 

Thanks for the kind words Bob!

[Croix de Guerre]

Well, I haven’t added anything to this thread in a while so here goes. The group came with two pair of trousers and to be honest I never really looked at them that closely. Pants can be difficult to display if your just using torso busts, so I have had these hanging in the closet sort of forgotten. I got them out today and had a closer look.

 

The pair with the cuffs I have determined are the RAF trousers. This pattern is reflected in the new uniform regulations of April 1918 with the combining of the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) and the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) into the Royal Air Force (RAF). “Trouser or breeches (jodhpurs) of khaki or shades of fawn were to be worn with brown footwear.”

There is little or no wear to these pants and it is my opinion that Thomson wore these only briefly in the period after he was released from prison until he was demobilized in the spring of 1919.

 

The second pair are the pair that I feel go with the RFC cuff-rank tunic. They are much more worn and stained and show evidence of period repairs. A comparison of photos taken of Thomson while in POW camp show him to be wearing trousers identical to these which leads me to the assumption that these pants along with the RFC Tunic, was the uniform he was wearing June 12, 1918 when he was shot down by Ltn. Josef Schaffer of Jasta 16.

[Croix de Guerre]

Well, I haven’t added anything to this thread in a while so here goes. The group came with two pair of trousers and to be honest I never really looked at them that closely. Pants can be difficult to display if your just using torso busts, so I have had these hanging in the closet sort of forgotten. I got them out today and had a closer look.

 

The pair with the cuffs I have determined are the RAF trousers. This pattern is reflected in the new uniform regulations of April 1918 with the combining of the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) and the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) into the Royal Air Force (RAF). “Trouser or breeches (jodhpurs) of khaki or shades of fawn were to be worn with brown footwear.”

The is little or no wear to these pants and it is my opinion that Thomson wore these only briefly in the period after he was released from prison until he was demobilized in the spring of 1919.

 

The second pair are the pair that I feel go with the RFC cuff-rank tunic. They are much more worn and stained and show evidence of period repairs. A comparison of photos taken of Thomson while in POW camp show him to be wearing trousers identical to these which leads me to the assumption that these pants along with the RFC Tunic, was the uniform he was wearing June 12, 1918 when he was shot down by Ltn. Josef Schaffer of Jasta 16.

[Croix de Guerre]

Well, I haven’t added anything to this thread in a while so here goes. The group came with two pair of trousers and to be honest I never really looked at them that closely. Pants can be difficult to display if your just using torso busts, so I have had these hanging in the closet sort of forgotten. I got them out today and had a closer look.

 

The pair with the cuffs I have determined are the RAF trousers. This pattern is reflected in the new uniform regulations of April 1918 with the combining of the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) and the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) into the Royal Air Force (RAF). “Trouser or breeches (jodhpurs) of khaki or shades of fawn were to be worn with brown footwear.”

The is little or no wear to these pants and it is my opinion that Thomson wore these only briefly in the period after he was released from prison until he was demobilized in the spring of 1919.

 

The second pair are the pair that I feel go with the RFC cuff-rank tunic. They are much more worn and stained and show evidence of period repairs. A comparison of photos taken of Thomson while in POW camp show him to be wearing trousers identical to these which leads me to the assumption that these pants along with the RFC Tunic, was the uniform he was wearing June 12, 1918 when he was shot down by Ltn. Josef Schaffer of Jasta 16.

 

The RFC Trousers

[Croix de Guerre]

Well, I haven’t added anything to this thread in a while so here goes. The group came with two pair of trousers and to be honest I never really looked at them that closely. Pants can be difficult to display if your just using torso busts, so I have had these hanging in the closet sort of forgotten. I got them out today and had a closer look.

 

The pair with the cuffs I have determined are the RAF trousers. This pattern is reflected in the new uniform regulations of April 1918 with the combining of the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) and the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) into the Royal Air Force (RAF). “Trouser or breeches (jodhpurs) of khaki or shades of fawn were to be worn with brown footwear.”

The is little or no wear to these pants and it is my opinion that Thomson wore these only briefly in the period after he was released from prison until he was demobilized in the spring of 1919.

 

The second pair are the pair that I feel go with the RFC cuff-rank tunic. They are much more worn and stained and show evidence of period repairs. A comparison of photos taken of Thomson while in POW camp show him to be wearing trousers identical to these which leads me to the assumption that these pants along with the RFC Tunic, was the uniform he was wearing June 12, 1918 when he was shot down by Ltn. Josef Schaffer of Jasta 16.

 

Inside view of the RFC Trousers