The Tom May Collection -British Groups

Lot 2112    Session 7 (11.30am Wednesday)    The Tom May Collection -British Groups

Estimate $500
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $2,000

PAIR TO AUSTRALIAN PILOT ACE KILLED IN TRAINING: British War Medal 1914-18; Victory Medal 1914-19. Capt. C.R.J.Thompson. R.A.F. on first medal, Capt. C.R.J.Thompson. R.F.C. on second medal. Both medals impressed. Uncirculated.

Claude Robert James Thompson, Motor Expert, age 24 born 15Jan1892 at Melbourne; previous service three and a half years with AASC; Enl.16Mar1916, applied for Motor Ambulance Workshop; Emb.17May1916; Lt 29th AASC; Disch.21Oct1916 UK to transfer to RFC; appointed to an Imperial Commission in RFC effective 23Oct1916; one of the first batch of Australian volunteers for RFC (Official History of Australia at War, Vol VIII pages XXVII and 421); attached to No 2 School of Instruction RFC, Oxford; 2Lt on probation LG 1917 p4929; confirmed Flying Officer LG 1917 p4924; Oct 1916 - Feb 1917, served in No 17 Sqn flying reconnaissance, ground support and bombing in support of allied armies in Macedonia; served also with No 19 Sqn flying Spads from 4 June to 14 November 1917 qualifying as an air ace with at least six victories; on his return to England he became a training instructor with No 63 Training Sqn; promoted to Capt 30Apr1917; 17Jul1918 killed in training accident 'Capt Thompson was the pilot of a Sopwith Camel engaged on a training flight which involved firing at a target whilst diving towards it. At approximately 1,000 feet the aircraft went into a spin and he was unable to regain control and was killed in the crash.' Capt Thompson is buried in Dartford Cemetery, Watling Street, Kent. His name is inscribed in the Royal Air Force Book of Remembrance in St Clement Danes Church, The Strand, London. Air Victories: 19Jun1917 vs Albatros D.III (OOC) at Kruiesik; 14Oct1917 vs Albatros D.V (DES) at Coucou; 27Oct1917 vs Rumpler C (OOC) at SE of Paschendaele; 30Oct1917 vs DFW C (OOC) W of Dadizeele (shared victory); 09Nov1917 vs Albatros D.V (DES) at Zuidhoek; 09Nov1917 vs Albatros D.V (OOC) at Zandvoorde. (OOC observed out of control; DES destroyed) With research.