Roland Thompson back left with his arm on his father's shoulder. His brother John is in the middle and his brother George is in uniform on the right. His father, Alfred Charles Thompson, is stood next to his wife Louisa and John's wife Lilian is next to her.
George Thompson is the father of Roly Thompson, who has kindly provided the photograph and information.
Source: The Commonwealth War Graves Commission
BECKLINGEN WAR CEMETERY, Soltau, Niedersachsen, Germany
THOMPSON , Sergeant (Air Gnr.) ROLAND, 1590783, 427 (R.C.A.F.) Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. 9 October 1943. Age 19. Son of Alfred and Louisa Thompson, of Newton Aycliffe, Co. Durham. Grave Ref. 19. B. 5.
Roland's father received a telegram October 9, 1943 that Roland was missing as a result of air operations on the night of 8th to 9th October. This was followed by a letter written the same day by R.S. Turnbull, Wing Commander, Officer Commanding No. 427 Squadron, R.C.A.F.
Roland's parents were living at 2, Victoria Terrace, Chilton Buildings, near Ferryhill, Durham.
October 16 1943 a letter was received from the Air Council giving more details of the operation in which Roland went missing. He was flying a rear air gunner in a Halifax aircraft. It had set out to bomb Hanover but had not been heard from since.
Roland's parents received a letter from the parents of Frank Kelly of Canada. They had sent it to all the parents of Roland's crew:
Mr John O'Donavan of Upper Newton, Rosecarberry, County Cork, Eire,
Mr E. W. Scraton of Oxton Road, 1 Southwell, Nottingham, England,
Mrs S. J. Thorn of 2234 Ida Street, Victoria, B.C., Canada,
Mrs L. C, Skerry of Gormanville, Hants County, N.S., Canada,
and Mrs M. J. Harrington of 379 Beatty Ave., Verdun, Que, Canada.
