John Thomas Thomson
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 2 Jan 1923 |
| Place of Birth | Perth, 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 |
| 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
Prior to enlisting John had been an Apprentice Fitter & Turner with Malloch Bros Ltd in Leederville for 18 months.
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 Insructor's 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, ariving 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
Notes