John Thomas Thomson
From Our Contribution
 | |
 photo courtesy Ken Thomson | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 2 Jan 1923 |
| Place of Birth | Byford, Western Australia |
| Death | 7 Sep 1`946 |
| Place of Death | East Perth, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 18 years, 3 months |
| Description |
5'8½" (1.74m) tall ; 138lbs 62.596 kg ; fair complexion ; blue eyes ; brown hair ; scars on both knees |
| Occupation | Apprentice Fitter & Turner |
| Religion | Presbyterian |
| Address | 348 Lord street |
| Next of Kin | Brother , Mr James Alexander Thomson |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 38666 |
| Rank | Acting Sergeant |
| Post War Details | |
| Fate | Remained in Australia |
| Medals |
War Medal 1939-45 Australian Service Medal 1939-45 |
Pre War
John Thomas Thomson, affectionally known as “Ian” by his family, and later by his RAAF mates as “Jock”, was born in Byford Western Australia on 25th January 1923 to parents John Edward [Jack] Thomson 1892-1938, and Mary Baillie Reid 1890-1934. Ian’s father Jack was born in Brunswick, Victoria, Australia from Scottish/English heritage, while his mother Mary Baillie was born in Mossend, West Calder, Midlothian, in Scotland. His father Jack had served during WWI. In May 1923 Ian and his older brother were baptised by Presbyterian Minister Robert Haulin at the Byford Congregation of the Presbyterian Church and attended Byford State School for their education. In June 1938 Ian and his older brother James were left orphans after both of their parents had died prematurely, Ian had not yet turned 15 and his brother had just turned 17 so they were taken under the guardianship of their uncle Patrick Fox, half-brother of their father.
The boys moved from their family home in Byford to go and live with their uncle and aunt in Perth. In 1939 Ian secured an apprenticeship as a Fitter & Turner in the Engineering Department of Malloch Bros in Leederville. In March 1941 Ian applied for entry into the RAAF Reserved and passed all entry exams, however, his employer wrote to the RAAF objecting to his enrolment stating…“it would be extremely inconvenient to release him from our Engineering Department which has already been depleted. As you know our factory is engaged on general Engineering work including munition work”. Eventually, Malloch Bros. withdrew their objection to his enlistment and on the 11th of March 1941 he was placed on the RAAF Reserve.[1]
War Service
John enlisted in the RAAF on 8 May 1941 at the No. 4 RAAF Recruiting Centre in Perth, mustering as a Trainee Trade Group V. Following Recruit Drill training from 8 May until 12 Jun 1941 he was posted on 30 Jun 1941 to No. 5 School of Technical Training RAAF in Mounts Bay road, Perth where he completed the No. 94 Trainee Technical Fitter's course. John's next posting was to the Air Armament School RAAF at Point Cook, Victoria on 24 Sep 1941 to undertake the No. 26 Fitter/Armourers course from 10 Oct 1941 until 6 Jan 1942.
Training completed he was transferred to No. 25 (City of Perth) Squadron RAAF at Pearce in Western Australia where on 28 Apr 1942 he was promoted Leading Aircraftman and then, from 1 Jul 1942 he was paid as an Acting Corporal until he departed on 10 Oct 1942 for the Air Armament and Gas School RAAF. There he was a member of the No. 15 Junior Armament Instructors' course from 12 Oct - 7 Nov 1942 at Hamilton, Victoria. With training again completed successfully, he was paid as an Acting Corporal from 8 Nov 1942 and posted on 11 Nov 1942 to No. 2 Bombing & Gunnery School RAAF at Port Pirie in South Australia, reverting to Leading Aircraftman on 1 Apr 1943. While in this unit he had transgressed against AFA Section 9 (In that he, at 1830 hours on 19 Jun 1943 when ordered by Flight Sgt Price to report back to his unit, failed to do so), earning a Severe Reprimand.
On 23 Oct 1943 John was posted for a third time to what was now known as Air Armament School RAAF, this time to undertake the 12 week long No. 15 Squadron Warrant Officers Armament Course from 26 Oct 1943 until 16 Jan 1944. On the completion of the course, John's next posting was to No. 3 Airfield Defence Squadron RAAF on 26 Jan 1944. He remained with them until 16 May 1945 during which time he was promoted Acting Sergeant as from 14 Sep 1944, retaining the rank until he transferred to No. 2 Aircraft Depot RAAF on 9 May 1945. From 8 - 22 Jan 1945 he had undertaken the No. 2 Mosquito Conversion Course for Fitter Armourers. On 12 Jun 1945 he was reposted to No. 94 Squadron RAAF, arriving there on 26 Jun 1945. While with this unit which was equipped with Mosquito aircraft, John transgressed AFA Section 15 (1) (AWOL from 10:00am 16 Jun 1945 until 9:00am 19 Jun 1945) earning a Reprimand and the loss of three days pay.
With hostilities over, John was transferred on 22 Feb 1946 to the No. 5 Personnel Depot RAAF who discharged him on 6 Mar 1946.
Post War
On 11 Feb 1946 he became engaged to Audrey Kinnish of North Esplanade, Glenelg, South Australia. However, before they could be married, on 7 Sep 1946, while returning from a party on his brother's motorcycle, he was tragically killed in an accident, believed to be on Scarborough Beach Road. John was very popular with his family and friends, known for his happy disposition and for always smiling. Tributes poured in from family, friends, and his RAAF mates after his death.[2]
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