Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation
Thomas Reece b: 2 Jul 1913 r: 3 Feb 1958 d: 27 Mar 1985
DFC – 7 Jul 1942, MiD - 24 Dec 1941.
Act Plt Off (P): 23 Mar 1936, Plt Off: 27 Jan 1937, Fg Off: 27 Jul 1938, Flt Lt (WS): 27 Jul 1940, Act Sqn Ldr: xx xxx 1941, (T) Sqn Ldr: 1 Sep 1941, Act Wg Cdr: 29 Mar 1943, (T) Wg Cdr: 1 Jul 1943, Sqn Ldr: 27 Aug 1946 [1 Jan 1941], Wg Cdr: 1 Jul 1947 [1 Oct 1946], Gp Capt: N/A, Act A/Cdre: 2 Dec 1955, A/Cdre: Retained.
23 Mar 1936: Appointed to a Short Service Commission.
18 Apr 1936: U/T Pilot, No 6 Flying Training School.
10 Jan 1937: Pilot, No 46 Sqn
3 Apr 1937: Posted to HQ Iraq Command
xx xxx 1937: Officer, No 1 Armoured Car Company.
9 Jan 1938: Pilot, No 70 Sqn.
xx xxx xxxx: Flight Commander, No 70 Sqn.
xx xxx 1939: ?, RAF Harwell
8 Nov 1939: Attended Operational Training Course, No 214 Sqn
28 Nov 1939: Pilot, No 99 Sqn.
12 Jun 1940: Instructor, No 11 OTU
xx Dec 1941: Officer Commanding, 'A' Flight, No 70 Sqn
xx xxx 1942: Attached?, No 2 Personnel Despatch Centre
1 Oct 1942: Instructor, No 15 OTU
29 Mar 1943: Deputy Chief Instructor, No 15 OTU
24 May 1943: Attended RAF Staff College
23 Aug 1943: Air Staff, HQ No 92 Group.
23 Aug 1944: Training Staff, HQ Bomber Command
xx Dec 1945: Air Staff - SD 3, Directorate of Staff Duties.
27 Aug 1946: Appointed to Permanent Commission in the rank of Squadron Leader (retaining rank current at the time) [1 Jan 1941]
He died in the Kingston upon Thames area.
Citation for the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross
"THOMAS, Thomas Reece, S/L (37662, Royal Air Force)
Squadron Leader Thomas has completed 47 sorties. He is a flight commander of great merit and his efforts have resulted in a high standard of efficiency and morale being maintained in his flight. He has shown the greatest keenness to inflict damage on the enemy. During a squadron raid on Derna airfield, Squadron Leader Thomas's accurate bombing started four fires and caused an explosion. He is a most courageous and determined captain of aircraft."
(Source - Air Ministry Bulletin 7440)
This page was last updated on 08/09/23