Cecil Robert Thompson

Name:

Cecil Robert "Ruggles" Thompson

Country:

South Africa

Rank:

Lieutenant

Service:

Royal Flying Corps
Royal Air Force

Unit:

Victories:

Born:

04 December 1894

Place of Birth:

Kimberley

Died:

16 March 1973

Place of Death:

After two and half years in the army, Cecil Robert Thompson entered the Royal Flying Corps in August 1917. An S.E.5a pilot, he fought his last dogfight on the morning of 15 September 1918. After shooting down a German kite balloon, he was attacked by several Fokker D.VIIs. In the melee that followed, Thompson was badly wounded in the face and shoulder but made it safely back to his aerodrome.

Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)

Lieut. Cecil Robert Thompson. (FRANCE)
This officer has destroyed three enemy machines and three kite balloons. At all times he displays utter disregard of personal danger, notably so on 15th September, when, in company with another machine, in face of a heavy barrage, he dived to attack a kite balloon; as he dived he was attacked from the rear by four Fokkers. Disregarding them, he continued to dive, and shot down the balloon in flames. He then, although wounded in the face and shoulder, turned and engaged the Fokkers, who had, in the meantime, been reinforced and numbered twelve. Finally, after a stern contest, he made his way back to the aerodrome and rendered his report.

Supplement to the London Gazette, 3 December 1918 (31046/14326)

Victories

	Date	Time	Unit	Aircraft	Opponent	Location
1	04 Aug 1918	0830	84	S.E.5a (D6906)	Albatros D.V (DES)	E of Warfusée-Abancourt
2	07 Aug 1918	0910	84	S.E.5a (D6906)	Pfalz D.III (OOC)	Le Quesnel
3	11 Aug 1918	1800	84	S.E.5a (D6906)	Fokker D.VII (DES)	Villers-Carbonnel
4	04 Sep 1918	1330	84	S.E.5a (F6420)	Balloon (DES) ¹	Douvieux
5	05 Sep 1918	0950	84	S.E.5a (F6420)	Balloon (DES)	S of Poeuilly
6	15 Sep 1918	0955	84	S.E.5a (F6420)	Balloon (DES)	E of St. Quentin

1	Shared with Lt Sidney Highwood

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