THOMSON, Gordon
| Service Number: | 400573 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 15 September 1940 |
| Last Rank: | Flying Officer |
| Last Unit: | RAAF Telecommunications and Communications Units |
| Born: | Manchester, England, 8 July 1920 |
| Home Town: | St Kilda, Port Phillip, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Salesman |
| Died: | Aircraft accident, Machan's Beach, Cairns, Queensland, Australia, 5 March 1945, aged 24 years |
| Cemetery: |
Cairns War Cemetery, Queensland Plot A. Row D. Grave 12. |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour |
World War 2 Service
| 3 Sep 1939: | Involvement Flying Officer, 400573 | |
|---|---|---|
| 15 Sep 1940: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Aircraftman 2 (WW2), Aircrew Training Units | |
| 15 Sep 1940: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Flying Officer, 400573 | |
| 5 Mar 1945: | Involvement Flying Officer, RAAF Telecommunications and Communications Units |
The early years.
During WW2 I was just a little girl living in East Kew, Victoria, Australia. Due to the housing shortage my family rented rooms to Flying Officer Gordon Thomson and his wife Margo. When Mr Thomson came home on leave from the RAAF he often brought me chewing gum and other gifts. As a little girl of 7 years he made such an impression on me that I have never forgotten him.
During their time living with us Mrs Thomson gave birth to twins - a boy (Ian) and a girl (Margaret) - named after me.
As I reflect on another Anzac 2021, I am reminded of Gordon Thomson and his family and I was able to access this site to record my memories. I don't know what became of Margo - I believe she moved to Queensland to be near the memorial.
Her children would be in their 70s now.
+In loving memory of Gordon and all those who lost their lives in that plane crash off the Queensland coast in March 1945.
LEST WE FORGET.
Submitted 25 April 2021 by MARGARET FERGUSON
Biography contributed by David Barlow
RAAF Lockheed Hudson A16-118 (VMZI-FM) crashed into the sea about 400 yards out from Machan's Beach, just north of the mouth of the Barron River near Cairns - the pilot had been warned not to take off due to a cyclone in the area, however they left from Townsville and crashed near Cairns.
RAAF crew from Number 4 Communications Flight:
Flight Lieutenant John William Newell 404543
Flying Officer Gordon Thomson DFM 400573
Warrant Officer Berrol Samuel Frieze 409400
Flying Officer Donald James Bassett 406465
Leading Aircraftman John Dudley Moore 77157
The aircraft was carrying:
Major General George Alan Vasey VX9 - HQ 7 Australian Division
Major General Rupert Major Downes CMG VD of the Australian Army Medical Corps
Lieutenant Colonel George Anthony Bertram OBE NX324 of Advanced Land HQ "G" Branch Australian Headquarters
Corporal Edward Lewis James NX4011 of Local Administration Staff Australian Headquarters - Batman to General Vasey
Colonel Robert Heathcote Russell DSO NX168 of the Australian Army Medical Corps
Lieutenant William Riggall VX80932 of the Australian Army Service Corps - PA to General Vasey
Click images to start slideshow.