Flying Officer Charles Edward Vasey THOMPSON (77466) DFC
B Flight, 211 Squadron, Royal Air Force

Date of birth: 15th May 1918
Date of death: 13th April 1941

Killed in action aged 22
Commemorated on the Alamein Memorial Column 241
He was born at Blean near Herne Bay on the 15th of May 1918 the son of Charles Sydney Thompson, civil servant, and Dora (nee Vasey) of Park House, 76 Mickleburgh Hill, Herne Bay, Kent.

He was educated at the Junior King's School from April 1929 and at the King's School Canterbury from January 1932 to July 1935, where he was a dayboy.

In 1938 he joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve as an aircraftsman, rising to the rank of Sergeant. He was commissioned as a Pilot Officer in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve on the 1st of February 1940 and was promoted to Flying Officer on the 1st of February 1941.

HHe was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for making a detailed reconnaissance over Kiel Harbour, which was announced by the Air Ministry on the 19th of July 1940; his observer Sergeant Ronald Frederick Davies was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal for the same mission. His citation reads:-

"Pilot Officer Thompson was the pilot and Sergeant Davis the observer of an aircraft which, early in July, 1940, was detailed to make a reconnaissance over Kiel Harbour. Adverse weather conditions prevailed at the time making it necessary to fly above the clouds, but the excellent flying of Pilot Officer Thompson and the accurate navigation of Sergeant Davis enabled them on emerging, to locate their position and proceed direct to the target. This pilot and observer maintained this high standard of flying and navigation on the homeward flight, arriving at their base only two minutes late of schedule. They displayed great courage and determination and set a magnificent example of accuracy."

In late 1940 211 Squadron formed part of the British air contingent which was sent to support Greece. He was promoted to Flying Officer on the 1st of February 1941.

211 Squadron took off from their base in Paramythia at 1pm on the 13th of April 1941 and carried out two successful operations against Quhes Valley and Resen being escorted by Hurricane fighters. All aircraft returned as there was no opposition met on these raids. A third raid was ordered on enemy troop concentrations on the Florina-Monastir Road and six Blenheims took off again at 3pm led by Squadron Leader Anthony Irvine. On this occasion there was no fighter escort available.

When they were approaching Lake Prespa at just after 4pm, some 40 miles from their target, they were attacked by three Messerschmitt 109 fighters from Jagdgeschwader 27.

They first attacked the three Blenheims at the rear of the formation and were engaged by the rear gunners. The first Blenheim to be hit was L8449 piloted by Flying Officer A.C. Godfrey and the aircraft caught fire almost at once with Godfrey being the only crew member to escape the burning aircraft. The next aircraft to be attacked was L8604 flown by Charles Thompson which was seen to crash in flames at 4.06pm with no survivors. Unteroffizier Fritz Gromotka of 6/JG27 was credited with the victory, his first of an eventual twenty nine.

The crew was:-

Flying Officer Charles Edward Vasey "Tommy" Thompson DFC (Pilot)
Pilot Officer Peter Hogarth (Observer)
Flight Sergeant Wilfred Arscott (Air Gunner/Wireless Operator)

Within four minutes all the Blenheims were shot down with only Godfrey and Flight Sergeant A.G. James, of the eighteen crew on the mission, surviving the encounter.

His father received the following telegram dated the 16th of April 1941: -
"Regret to inform you that your son Flying Officer Charles Edward Vasey Thompson DFC is reported missing as the result of air operations on 15 April 1942. Letter follows. Any further information will be communicated to you immediately. Should news of him reach you from any source please inform this office."
Day Boy

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