Four: Squadron Leader P. Thompson, Royal Air Force Defence and War Medals 1939-45;...

Four: Squadron Leader P. Thompson, Royal Air Force

Defence and War Medals 1939-45; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Malaya, G.VI.R. (Flt. Lt. P. Thompson. R.A.F.); U.N. Korea 1950-54, unnamed as issued, sold with recipient’s Queen’s Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air emblem, mounted on card for display, generally very fine (4) £360-£440

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Queen’s Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air London Gazette 31 December 1960.

Peter Thompson was born in West Hartlepool, County Durham in May 1922. He was a plumber and an electrical apprentice prior to enlisting in the Royal Air Force in October 1941. After initial training appropriate to aircrew, Thompson was posted to No. 4 B.F.T.S., Meza, Arizona, U.S.A. for his basic flying instruction. Having completed this he returned to the UK in July 1943, and immediately commenced training as an instructor. Thompson was employed as an instructor for the remainder of the war, and was commissioned in January 1945. He continued to be employed in this capacity after the war, and was posted to No. 2 Armament Practice School, Acklington where he flew Spitfires, Meteors and Tempest amongst others.

Thompson served at HQ 12 Group, prior to being selected for a tour with the Far East Air Force Training Squadron, Seletar in January 1952. He served for 30 months with the latter, flying in Mosquitos, Beaufighters and Hornets, and combining instruction with operational flying during the Malayan conflict. Thompson flew a Sunderland of 88 Squadron to Iwakuni, Japan via Kai Tak, Hong Kong, in March 1953. Whilst at Iwakuni he flew a 9 hour day-sortie on anti-submarine patrol with 205 Squadron (Sunderlands) over the Tsushima Straits (UN Korea Medal).

Thompson returned to the UK, and converted to a Maritime role - subsequent postings including with 36 Squadron (Neptunes) and 204 Squadron (Shackletons) at R.A.F. Ballykelly. He was sent with a detachment of 204 Squadron to Australia, August - November 1957, to support a Nuclear Trials Force (Operation Antler). Based at R.A.A.F. Pearce, near Perth, this UK force was involved in three tests over the Marlinga Range (the first two being tests on high towers, the last being a weapon of some 26.6 KT suspended by three barrage balloons).

Thompson completed his tour with 204 Squadron, and remained at Ballykelly on the Flying Wing of the Station (August 1958 - November 1960). He was employed as a Shackleton instructor, and graded as an Exceptional Long Range Maritime Pilot - therefore it was no surprise that he appeared in the New Years Honours List 1961 for a Queen’s Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air.

Immediately following this successful tour, Thompson was posted on Exchange Duties to the U.S.A., November 1960 - November 1962. He served as the Naval Air Station, Whidbey, Washington flying a variety of maritime aircraft. Such postings were reserved for aircrew of exceptional ability and yet Thompson was still a Flight Lieutenant.

Thompson advanced to Squadron Leader in January 1967, and subsequent postings included to 24 Squadron (Hercules) at R.A.F. Lyneham. He finished his service at No. 242 O.C.U., Thorney Island on simulator duties. Squadron Leader Thompson retired in May 1977, and died in January 1995.

Sold with the following contemporary related documents: Q.C.V.S.A. Certificate, dated 31 December 1960; Commission appointing recipient as Pilot Officer in the R.A.F.V.R., dated 6 March 1945; Commission appointing recipient as Flight Lieutenant, dated 22 September 1953; 5 Royal Air Force Pilot’s Flying Log Books and 1 R.A.F. Aircrew Flying Log Book (28 September 1942 - 30 November 1974) these very detailed and replete with photographs and newspaper cuttings; Coastal Command, R.A.F., Aircrew Categorisation Card, Pilot (with various Instrument Rating cards); Colonial Civil Aviation Licence (Singapore); a large quantity of photographs from various stages of recipient’s service career, including an annotated album and other ephemera.