Thomas Frederick Stephenson
Thomas Frederick Stephenson | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1894 Eastfield, Peterborough, England |
| Died | 20 November 1917 (aged 22–23) Cambrai, France |
| Commemorated at | |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service | British Army |
| Years of service | 1913–1917 |
| Rank | Sergeant |
| Unit | No. 11 Squadron RFC |
| Battles / wars | World War I • Western Front |
| Awards | Distinguished Conduct Medal |
Sergeant Thomas Frederick Stephenson DCM (1894 – 20 November 1917) was a British World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories.[1]
Military service
[edit]He was born in Eastfield, Peterborough, the son of George Frederick Stephenson and his wife Annie Georgina. He joined the Royal Flying Corps on 7 July 1913, and was sent to France on 12 August 1914.[2]
By 1917 Stephenson was a sergeant pilot in No. 11 Squadron RFC. He was teamed with Air Mechanic 1st Class Sydney Platel as his observer/gunner in a Bristol F.2 Fighter. The duo garnered five victories together between 23 September and 31 October 1917, all against Albatros D.Vs. After destroying two enemy aircraft on 31 October, they in turn fell under the guns of Oberleutnant Hans Bethge. They survived this,[3] though Platel lost a toe.[1]
On 20 November 1917, the first day of the Battle of Cambrai, Stephenson and his observer Lieutenant William Morse set off on a reconnaissance mission over the German lines, but their aircraft was shot down,[2] apparently a victim of ground fire.[3] Stephenson was listed as missing, presumed killed,[4] but Morse survived, although wounded, and was captured.[2]
On 4 March 1918 he was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. His citation read:
- 769 Sjt. T. F. Stephenson, RFC.
- "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. While flying over the enemy's lines he was attacked by twelve hostile scouts and engaged four of them, one of which he destroyed. He was then attacked by another of the enemy machines, and, though his observer had been wounded, he succeeded in destroying it. His machine was then rendered almost uncontrollable by a shell, the right wing being almost shot off, but he succeeded in landing it in our front-line wire. He has destroyed five hostile machines and shown splendid courage and determination."[5]
As an air casualty of the Western Front with no known grave, he is commemorated at the Arras Flying Services Memorial,[6] and also on the Peterborough War Memorial.[2]
List of aerial victories
[edit]| No. | Date/Time | Aircraft/ Serial No. |
Opponent | Result | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 23 September 1917 @ 1625 |
Bristol Fighter (A7209) |
Albatros D.V | Out of control | Vitry |
| 2 | 20 October 1917 @ 1640 |
Bristol Fighter | Albatros D.V | Out of control | North-west of Cambrai |
| 3 | Albatros D.V | Out of control | |||
| 4 | 31 October 1917 @ 1530 |
Bristol Fighter (A7235) |
Albatros D.V | Destroyed in flames | Fresse |
| 5 | Albatros D.V | Destroyed |
References
[edit]- Notes
- ^ a b c "Thomas Frederick Stephenson". The Aerodrome. 2016. Retrieved 4 February 2016.
- ^ a b c d "Thomas Frederick Stephenson". Peterborough War Memorial. 2015. Retrieved 4 February 2016.
- ^ a b Shores, Franks & Guest (1990), p. 351.
- ^ "The Roll of Honour: Previously Missing, now reported Missing, believed Killed". Flight. X (474): 93. 24 January 1918. Retrieved 4 February 2016.
- ^ "No. 30555". The London Gazette (Supplement). 1 March 1918. p. 2749.
- ^ "Casualty Details: Stephenson, Thomas Frederick". Commonwealth War Graves Commission. 2016. Retrieved 4 February 2016.
- Bibliography
- Shores, Christopher F.; Franks, Norman & Guest, Russell F. (1990). Above the Trenches: a Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the British Empire Air Forces 1915–1920. London, UK: Grub Street. ISBN 978-0-948817-19-9.
