Meredith Thomas
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Royal Air Force (1918–1946)
Meredith Thomas | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 6 June 1892 Felindre, Radnorshire, Wales |
| Died | 20 May 1984 (aged 91) Gloucester, Gloucestershire, England |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Branch | British Army (1914–1918) Royal Air Force (1918–1946) |
| Service years | 1914–1946 |
| Rank | Air Vice Marshal |
| Unit | Queen's Westminsters Welsh Regiment No. 41 Squadron RFC No. 6 Squadron RAF No. 30 Squadron RAF |
| Commands | Air Officer Commanding, RAF India (1944–1946) No. 23 Group RAF (1943–44) No. 6 Armament Training Camp, RAF Warmwell (1937–1938) |
| Conflicts | First World War Second World War |
| Awards | Companion of the Order of the Star of India Commander of the Order of the British Empire Distinguished Flying Cross Air Force Cross Mentioned in Despatches (2) |
Air Vice Marshal Meredith Thomas, CSI, CBE, DFC, AFC (6 July 1892 – 20 May 1984) was a senior commander in the Royal Air Force during the Second World War. He began his career as a flying ace during the First World War, credited with five aerial victories.[1]
Meredith Thomas was born in Felindre, Radnorshire, Wales on 6 July 1892.[1]
First World War
Thomas joined the Queen's Westminsters in August 1914. He went to France in January 1915, and served as an infantryman on the Western Front until 2 December 1915, before being commissioned into the Welsh Regiment.[2][3]
Thomas transferred to the Royal Flying Corps in October 1916 and was trained as a pilot, being assigned in 1917 to No. 41 Squadron to fly a Royal Aircraft Factory FE.8, and later an Airco DH.5. He became a flight commander with the rank of acting captain on 29 March 1917. He claimed his first two victories in September 1917 while flying an Airco DH.5, destroying an Albatros D.III on the 25th near Cambrai, and another on the 28th at Bugnicourt, France. After transferring to a Royal Aircraft Factory SE.5a, he claimed three wins over Albatros D.Vs. On 30 November 1917, he destroyed one D.V over Rumilly, France at 1345 hours. A quarter-hour later, he joined with squadron-mates Russell Winnicott, Loudoun MacLean, and Frank Harold Taylor in driving another down out of control. His final victory came on 6 December 1917 at 1450 hours, when he and two other pilots sent a D.V down out of control over Sailly, France. Having thus become an ace, he was then returned to instructor duty in England.[1][3][4]
