Sergeant Ronald Thomas
Date of Birth Circa 1924
Place of Birth
Air Force Branch RAF (VR)
Rank Sgt (Air Gnr)
Service Number 1586842
Awards
Date of Death 25/03/1944
Location
Squadron 103
Aircraft type Avro Lancaster III ND572 PM-M
Location of Memorial Chippenham London Road Cemetery
Next of kin Son of Herbert and Emily Thomas, of Chippenham
Sgt Ronald 'Bob' Thomas the rear gunner and the rest of the crew of Avro Lancaster ND572 PM-M had been briefed to attack Berlin as part of a force of 811 aircraft. At some stage during the flight ND572 was attacked by an Fw 190 fighter, it was during this contact that Sgt Thomas was to loose his life. Although badly damaged, the aircraft managed to return to RAF Dunsfold in Surrey. During the emergency landing it collided with a B-17G Flying Fortress 'Passionate Witch' of the 452nd Bomb Group, USAF. Five of the crew members were to receive gallantry awards.
Sgt Thomas was returned home and laid to rest in Chippenham Cemetery, Wiltshire.
Place of Birth
Air Force Branch RAF (VR)
Rank Sgt (Air Gnr)
Service Number 1586842
Awards
Date of Death 25/03/1944
Location
Squadron 103
Aircraft type Avro Lancaster III ND572 PM-M
Location of Memorial Chippenham London Road Cemetery
Next of kin Son of Herbert and Emily Thomas, of Chippenham
Sgt Ronald 'Bob' Thomas the rear gunner and the rest of the crew of Avro Lancaster ND572 PM-M had been briefed to attack Berlin as part of a force of 811 aircraft. At some stage during the flight ND572 was attacked by an Fw 190 fighter, it was during this contact that Sgt Thomas was to loose his life. Although badly damaged, the aircraft managed to return to RAF Dunsfold in Surrey. During the emergency landing it collided with a B-17G Flying Fortress 'Passionate Witch' of the 452nd Bomb Group, USAF. Five of the crew members were to receive gallantry awards.
Sgt Thomas was returned home and laid to rest in Chippenham Cemetery, Wiltshire.
Sources: CWGC, Bomber Command losses Vol 6 W R Chorley, The Berlin Raids, Martin Middlebrook. Photograph of Sgt Thomas - David Crawford, Photo of Avro Lancaster ND572 via Phil Cohen.