Meredith Thomas

Air Vice-Marshal Meredith Thomas CSI, CBE, DFC, AFC RAF (6 July 1892 – 20 May 1984) was a senior commander in the Royal Air Force during World War II. He began his career as a flying ace during World War I, credited with five aerial victories.^[1]

World War I service

Meredith 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 December 1915, and was then commissioned. He transferred to the Royal Flying Corps in October 1916 and was trained as a pilot, being assigned in 1917 to 41 Squadron to fly a Royal Aircraft Factory FE.8, and later an Airco DH.5. He claimed his first two victories in September 1917, destroying an Albatros D.III on the 25th near Cambrai, and another on the 28th at Bugnicourt. After transferring to a Royal Aircraft Factory SE.5a, he claimed three wins over Albatros D.Vs. He was then returned to instructor duty in England.^[2]

Post World War I

In 1919 he was stationed in Germany, and from 1920 to 1923 he served in Iraq, winning the Distinguished Flying Cross in 1922 while a Flight Lieutenant.^[3]

Sources of information

References

• - A History of RAF Organisation - AVM Thomas
• Above the Trenches: a Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the British Empire Air Forces 1915-1920. Christopher F. Shores, Norman L. R. Franks, Russell Guest. Grub Street, 1990. ISBN 0-948817-19-4, 9780948817199.