SSAFA Perth and Kinross help honour local hero Flt Sgt George Thompson VC

SSAFA Perth and Kinross was delighted to help the staff and pupils of Kinross High School run a memorial service for one of their distinguished former pupils, on the 80th anniversary of his death.

The service was attended by Head Teacher Mrs Brown, many of her staff, school pupils, including from Sgt Thompson’s old primary school, Portmoak, many veterans of all 3 services , RAFA members locally, SSAFA volunteers, the CEO of RAFBF Edinburgh, Wg Cdr Gavin Davey OBE, a former helicopter pilot, and a serving Sqn Leader from IX Sqn RAF Lossiemouth, who came all the way specially, Tom Hendry.

Andy Middlemiss, Chair SSAFA Perth & Kinross Branch, said "It was an honour and a privilege to help run this event for a local hero- we told the pupils they should always remember this day and be grateful for the life of one of their local heroes - An ordinary man who did extraordinary things."

George Thompson was born in Trinity Gask and educated at Portmoak Primary School, and Kinross High School. After being apprenticed to a grocer in Kinross, he joined the Local Defence Volunteers, when the Second World War began. In January 1941 he joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, training as a ground crew wireless operator, and serving in Iraq. He then volunteered for aircrew and joined RAF Bomber Command.

On 1 January 1945, Fl Sgt Thompson was a member of the crew of 9 Squadron, Lancaster PD 377, (Captain -Flying Officer Harry Denton RNZAF), based at RAF Bardney, Lincolnshire, and part of 5 Group, Bomber Command. At dawn that morning, his aircraft was one of 100 other bombers of 5 Group assigned to make a daylight attack on the Dortmund-Ems Canal.

The LONDON GAZETTE reported on 20 February 1945:
"The KING has been graciously pleased to confer the VICTORIA CROSS on the undermentioned airman in recognition of most conspicuous bravery:
Extracts from his Citation for Gallantry.
"1370700 Flight Sergeant George THOMPSON, R.A.F.V.R., 9 Squadron (deceased).

This airman was the wireless operator in a Lancaster aircraft, which attacked the Dortmund-Ems Canal in daylight on the 1st January, 1945.

The bombs had just been released, when a heavy shell hit the aircraft in front of the mid-upper turret.

Fire broke out, and dense smoke filled the fuselage. The nose of the aircraft was then hit, and an inrush of air, clearing the smoke, revealed a scene of utter devastation. Flight Sergeant Thompson saw that the gunner was unconscious in the blazing mid-upper turret. Without hesitation, he went down the fuselage into the fire, and the exploding ammunition. He pulled the gunner from his turret and, edging his way round the hole in the floor, carried him away from the flames. With his bare hands, he extinguished the gunner’s burning clothing. He himself sustained serious burns on his face, hands and legs. Flight Sergeant Thompson then noticed that the rear gun turret was also on fire. Despite his own severe injuries, he moved painfully to the rear of the fuselage, where he found the rear gunner with his clothing alight, overcome by flames and fumes.

A second time, Flight Sergeant Thompson braved the flames. With great difficulty he extricated the helpless gunner and carried him clear. Again, he used his bare hands, already burnt, to beat out flames on a comrade’s clothing....a crash-landing was made some forty minutes later. When the aircraft was hit again.

Flight Sergeant Thompson might have devoted his efforts to quelling the fire, and so have contributed to his own safety. He preferred to go through the fire to succour his comrades. He hazarded his own life in order to save the lives of others.

Three weeks later Flight Sergeant Thompson died of his injuries. One of the gunners unfortunately also died, but the other owes his life to the superb gallantry of Flight Sergeant Thompson, whose signal courage and self-sacrifice will ever be an inspiration to the Service."

Thompson was initially transferred to No 50 Military Field Hospital where a series of penicillin injections and other treatments appeared to put him on a slow road to recovery; but he contracted pneumonia, and on 23rd January 1945, he passed away. Shortly afterwards, he was laid to rest in the Brussels Town Cemetery of Evere-les-Brizelles. On 20th February, less than a month after his death, the London Gazette announced the posthumous VC to Thompson. His medals are now in the National War Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh Castle.