Trafford

Born at Huddersfield  R.D. during the September quarter 1913, the son of
Thomas Gladstone & Louisa Westmoreland (nee Bray), Huddersfield,
Yorkshire.

His mother died in 1921, aged: 40 and his father later married Annie
Illingworth who is incorrectly listed as his mother by the CWGC.

In early July 1940 Thomas was with 616 Sqn at RAF Leconfield.  He claimed a
Ju88 destroyed on the 15th August 1940.

Flying out of RAF Kenley in a Spitfire Mk I - No. R9819.   At 19.00 hrs on
the 25th August he was involved in combat with a Me 109 over Canterbury,
Kent and crashed near Maidstone, Kent.

Thomas was employed by Metro-Vickers and is commemorated in their Memorial
Book.   This states that he joined the Metro-Vicker's Company as a School
Apprentice in January 1934 and on completion of his apprenticeship in June
1938 joined the staff of the Railway Signals Engineering Department.   He
joined the RAFVR in which he held the rank of Sergeant and was mobilised in
September 1940.  Presumed KinA whilst on air operations in August 1940.

As he attended Hudderfield Technical College a Battle of Britain Memorial
Plaque was presented to Hudderfield New College by the Lord Lieutenant of
West Yorkshire.

Thomas has no known grave and is commemorated on the Royal Air Force
Memorial at Runnymede, Surrey.

A Battle of Britain Pilot (one of "The Few").  See - "Men of the Battle of
Britain".