Flying
Officer Frank MacDonald Thomas
Royal
Canadian Air Force
Son
of Ronald F. and Olive A. Thomas, of Oakville, Ontario, Canada.
Died on 08-Jul-1944
at the age of 21 while based at Lantheuil, France.
The
following entry is from 439's War Operations Record Book (Form 540):
Cloudy
in the morning with rain in the afternoon. Three operations were
carried out in the morning. We had the greatest misfortune in losing
J20648 F/O F.M. Thomas who was killed this morning. He took-off for an
operation early this morning and was hit by flak on crossing into
enemy territory. He was returning to 126 Wing for an emergency
landing, but overshot on his first attempt. On the second approach,
his engine cut and the aircraft hit the ground and burst into flames.
Tommy was instantly killed. His death is a sad blow to all members of
our Squadron. In the evening he was buried at Beny-sur-Mer. Pilots and
groundcrews of our Squadron attended the funeral which was officiated
by our very capable Padre Ashford.
The
following entry is from 439's War Operations Record Book (Form 541): A
large Chateau at a cross-road just southeast of Falaise was believed
to be a German Military Headquarters of some importance. Six Aircraft,
each carrying 2 x 500 lb. bombs, were led by F/L Scharff in the first
attack on the target. While crossing over the enemy lines just west of
Caen, a barrage of heavy flak caused damage to the aircraft flown by
F/O Thomas, F.M. Frank reported damage to his aircraft, adding that he
was turning back. In attempting an emergency landing at B-4, the
aircraft suddenly fell out of control at 100 ft. on the final
approach. The machine dove, burst into flames, and one bomb exploded.
F/O Thomas was thrown clear of the burning wreckage and died
instantly.
Following
entry is from The
Canadian Virtual War Memorial website courtesy of
the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
J20648
F/O F.M. Thomas is buried at BENY-SUR-MER CANADIAN WAR CEMETERY,
France
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