Rank: Squadron Leader Service No 46957 Royal Air Force Age: 32 years old
Awards: Distinguished Flying Cross and Bar, Distinguished Flying Medal and Bar.
Twice Mentioned in Despatches
Husband of Marion Thorn of Bishops Waltham .
"Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few." (Winston Churchill, 20 Aug 1940) Ted Thorn was one of these 'Few', who participated in 'The Battle Of Britain' during the Second World War. He was a pilot, squadron commander and a notable highly decorated flying ace of the Second World War.
Edward Roland Thorn was born in North End, Portsmouth, Hampshire on the 15th April 1913. He was the son of Thomas Thorn, a chef from Newport, and his wife Ellen Maria. In 1916, when Edward was three, his father was killed in the First World War. He was educated at local council schools in North End. At home he was known as Roland, although in later life in the RAF he was known as Ted. In August 1939 he married Marion McAlpine in Droxford, Hampshire, and the couple set up home in Bishop's Waltham, Hampshire.
In 1928 Edward joined the Royal Air Force as an aircraft apprentice passing out from the No. 1 School of Technical Training RAF based at RAF Halton. He trained to be a non-commissioned officer pilot and by the early 1930s had earned his pilot's aircrew brevet.
A month after war broke out in September 1939 he was posted to the newly formed 264 Squadron RAF at RAF Sutton Bridge flying the Boulton Paul Defiant. The Defiant was a single engine aeroplane armed with four .303 machine guns in a rear turret operated by an air gunner. Thorn teamed up with Air Gunner, Leading Aircraftman Frederick James They formed part of the flight commanded by Nicholas Gresham Cooke. In early operations the Defiant was often mistaken for the similarly-shaped Hawker Hurricane by German pilots who dived to attack from above and behind, the blind spot for a Hurricane pilot, but directly into the fire from the gunner's turret on a Defiant.
In the month of May 1940 they were credited with shooting down many German aircraft over Dunkirk, especially during the Luftwaffe's attempt to disrupt the beachhead evacuations from the town.
After the completion of the Dunkirk evacuation, the Luftwaffe had gained operational experience in fighting against the Defiant fighter. It had become an extremely vulnerable aircraft to operate in daylight against formations escorted by Bf 109 fighters. The months after Dunkirk were spent rebuilding the squadron, which had suffered heavy losses, and preparing for the Battle of Britain, which was to come. They moved to RAF Hornchurch on the 21st August 1940 to participate in the battle.
On the 14th June 1940 both Thorn and Barker were awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal for their bravery in action and success as a fighter crew. Barker was also promoted to sergeant.
Their joint DFM citation reads as follows:
Sergeant Thorn and Leading Aircraftman Barker, as pilot and air gunner respectively, have shown considerable determination and skill when engaging the enemy in a Defiant aircraft. On one occasion, when three similar aircraft in their squadron had been shot down, these airmen engaged three Messerschmitt 109's which were operating on the rear of the squadron, and succeeded in shooting them down. The remaining enemy aircraft were forced to break off the engagement. Sergeant Thorn and Leading Aircraftman Barker have so far destroyed six enemy aircraft.
Once again Thorn and Barker were in action. On the 24th August they destroyed a Ju88 and on the 26th they destroyed two Do17s and as they went for a third they were attacked by a Me109. With their aircraft damaged, Thorn spun down and prepared to make a crash-landing. At 500 feet the Me109 attacked again, this time setting the Defiant on fire. Before crashing, Barker shot the enemy fighter down and it crashed a short distance away. Thorn and Barker baled out and escaped with slight injuries.
Thorn and Barker were the most successful Boulton Paul Defiant crew of the war and in recognition of their success and bravery during the Battle of Britain they were each awarded a Bar to the DFM which was announced in the London Gazette on the 11th February 1941.
The Defiant aircraft was subsequently found to be unsuitable and vulnerable for daylight operations so the RAF re-assigned the fighters to night flying. Flying as night fighters, Thorn and Barker destroyed a Heinkel He 111 on the night of 9 – 10 April 1941 as it took part in the Blitz on England's cities.
By now promoted to Acting Warrant Officer, Ted was then commissioned as a Pilot Officer (service number 46957) on 11 October 1941. He joined 32 Squadron flying Hurricane fighters which meant breaking up the successful partnership with Fred Barker. Fred Barker remained with the squadron for two more years before becoming an instructor in the Middle East.
Promotions to Flying Officer, Flight Lieutenant & Acting Squadron Leader followed during 1942 and he commanded 32 Squadron from April to September 1942.
The squadron saw heavy action during the Dieppe Raid commando landings on 19 August 1942. Ted was decorated with the Distinguished Flying Cross on 22 September 1942 for his achievements in command and particularly for his bravery over Dieppe.
His DFC citation reads as follows:
Squadron Leader Thorn, by his personal example and untiring energy, has built his squadron into a highly efficient unit during the five months in which he has been its commanding officer. During the combined operations at Dieppe on 19th August, 1942, he displayed great courage and determination when under heavy fire from the ground defences and he refused to be diverted from his task when warned that he was being attacked by an enemy fighter. The successes achieved by the squadron on this and other occasions have been primarily due to Squadron Leader Thorn's gallantry and fine leadership both in the air and on the ground.
Ted completed a tour of duty as an instructor with No. 61 Operational Training Unit from November 1942 at the end of which he received a Mention in Despatches on 14 January 1944 for his dedication to the training of the young pilots under his command.
As a Flight Commander he was posted to 169 Squadron where he led night fighting and night intruder missions against the Luftwaffe night fighters over occupied Europe. Ted was awarded a Bar to his Distinguished Flying Cross on 8 December 1944, for his achievements in this role.
After the war and now a Squadron Leader, he was transferred to the Empire Central Flying School where early jet fighters were being flown. He commanded a training unit. In this position on the 1st January 1946 he was again Mentioned in Despatches for his skill and dedication as a flying instructor and commander.
On the 12th February 1946 Ted Thorn flew a Gloster Meteor aeroplane of the Empire Central Flying School He was killed when his aircraft dived out of a cloud crashing at Rectory Farm near Landbeach, Cambridgeshire.
LEST WE FORGET
(Biography researched online from various sources mainly Wikipedia & Battle of Britain Monument websites)
Awards: Distinguished Flying Cross and Bar, Distinguished Flying Medal and Bar.
Twice Mentioned in Despatches
Husband of Marion Thorn of Bishops Waltham .
"Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few." (Winston Churchill, 20 Aug 1940) Ted Thorn was one of these 'Few', who participated in 'The Battle Of Britain' during the Second World War. He was a pilot, squadron commander and a notable highly decorated flying ace of the Second World War.
Edward Roland Thorn was born in North End, Portsmouth, Hampshire on the 15th April 1913. He was the son of Thomas Thorn, a chef from Newport, and his wife Ellen Maria. In 1916, when Edward was three, his father was killed in the First World War. He was educated at local council schools in North End. At home he was known as Roland, although in later life in the RAF he was known as Ted. In August 1939 he married Marion McAlpine in Droxford, Hampshire, and the couple set up home in Bishop's Waltham, Hampshire.
In 1928 Edward joined the Royal Air Force as an aircraft apprentice passing out from the No. 1 School of Technical Training RAF based at RAF Halton. He trained to be a non-commissioned officer pilot and by the early 1930s had earned his pilot's aircrew brevet.
A month after war broke out in September 1939 he was posted to the newly formed 264 Squadron RAF at RAF Sutton Bridge flying the Boulton Paul Defiant. The Defiant was a single engine aeroplane armed with four .303 machine guns in a rear turret operated by an air gunner. Thorn teamed up with Air Gunner, Leading Aircraftman Frederick James They formed part of the flight commanded by Nicholas Gresham Cooke. In early operations the Defiant was often mistaken for the similarly-shaped Hawker Hurricane by German pilots who dived to attack from above and behind, the blind spot for a Hurricane pilot, but directly into the fire from the gunner's turret on a Defiant.
In the month of May 1940 they were credited with shooting down many German aircraft over Dunkirk, especially during the Luftwaffe's attempt to disrupt the beachhead evacuations from the town.
After the completion of the Dunkirk evacuation, the Luftwaffe had gained operational experience in fighting against the Defiant fighter. It had become an extremely vulnerable aircraft to operate in daylight against formations escorted by Bf 109 fighters. The months after Dunkirk were spent rebuilding the squadron, which had suffered heavy losses, and preparing for the Battle of Britain, which was to come. They moved to RAF Hornchurch on the 21st August 1940 to participate in the battle.
On the 14th June 1940 both Thorn and Barker were awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal for their bravery in action and success as a fighter crew. Barker was also promoted to sergeant.
Their joint DFM citation reads as follows:
Sergeant Thorn and Leading Aircraftman Barker, as pilot and air gunner respectively, have shown considerable determination and skill when engaging the enemy in a Defiant aircraft. On one occasion, when three similar aircraft in their squadron had been shot down, these airmen engaged three Messerschmitt 109's which were operating on the rear of the squadron, and succeeded in shooting them down. The remaining enemy aircraft were forced to break off the engagement. Sergeant Thorn and Leading Aircraftman Barker have so far destroyed six enemy aircraft.
Once again Thorn and Barker were in action. On the 24th August they destroyed a Ju88 and on the 26th they destroyed two Do17s and as they went for a third they were attacked by a Me109. With their aircraft damaged, Thorn spun down and prepared to make a crash-landing. At 500 feet the Me109 attacked again, this time setting the Defiant on fire. Before crashing, Barker shot the enemy fighter down and it crashed a short distance away. Thorn and Barker baled out and escaped with slight injuries.
Thorn and Barker were the most successful Boulton Paul Defiant crew of the war and in recognition of their success and bravery during the Battle of Britain they were each awarded a Bar to the DFM which was announced in the London Gazette on the 11th February 1941.
The Defiant aircraft was subsequently found to be unsuitable and vulnerable for daylight operations so the RAF re-assigned the fighters to night flying. Flying as night fighters, Thorn and Barker destroyed a Heinkel He 111 on the night of 9 – 10 April 1941 as it took part in the Blitz on England's cities.
By now promoted to Acting Warrant Officer, Ted was then commissioned as a Pilot Officer (service number 46957) on 11 October 1941. He joined 32 Squadron flying Hurricane fighters which meant breaking up the successful partnership with Fred Barker. Fred Barker remained with the squadron for two more years before becoming an instructor in the Middle East.
Promotions to Flying Officer, Flight Lieutenant & Acting Squadron Leader followed during 1942 and he commanded 32 Squadron from April to September 1942.
The squadron saw heavy action during the Dieppe Raid commando landings on 19 August 1942. Ted was decorated with the Distinguished Flying Cross on 22 September 1942 for his achievements in command and particularly for his bravery over Dieppe.
His DFC citation reads as follows:
Squadron Leader Thorn, by his personal example and untiring energy, has built his squadron into a highly efficient unit during the five months in which he has been its commanding officer. During the combined operations at Dieppe on 19th August, 1942, he displayed great courage and determination when under heavy fire from the ground defences and he refused to be diverted from his task when warned that he was being attacked by an enemy fighter. The successes achieved by the squadron on this and other occasions have been primarily due to Squadron Leader Thorn's gallantry and fine leadership both in the air and on the ground.
Ted completed a tour of duty as an instructor with No. 61 Operational Training Unit from November 1942 at the end of which he received a Mention in Despatches on 14 January 1944 for his dedication to the training of the young pilots under his command.
As a Flight Commander he was posted to 169 Squadron where he led night fighting and night intruder missions against the Luftwaffe night fighters over occupied Europe. Ted was awarded a Bar to his Distinguished Flying Cross on 8 December 1944, for his achievements in this role.
After the war and now a Squadron Leader, he was transferred to the Empire Central Flying School where early jet fighters were being flown. He commanded a training unit. In this position on the 1st January 1946 he was again Mentioned in Despatches for his skill and dedication as a flying instructor and commander.
On the 12th February 1946 Ted Thorn flew a Gloster Meteor aeroplane of the Empire Central Flying School He was killed when his aircraft dived out of a cloud crashing at Rectory Farm near Landbeach, Cambridgeshire.
LEST WE FORGET
(Biography researched online from various sources mainly Wikipedia & Battle of Britain Monument websites)
Rank: Squadron Leader Service No 46957 Royal Air Force Age: 32 years old
Awards: Distinguished Flying Cross and Bar, Distinguished Flying Medal and Bar.
Twice Mentioned in Despatches
Husband of Marion Thorn of Bishops Waltham .
"Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few." (Winston Churchill, 20 Aug 1940) Ted Thorn was one of these 'Few', who participated in 'The Battle Of Britain' during the Second World War. He was a pilot, squadron commander and a notable highly decorated flying ace of the Second World War.
Edward Roland Thorn was born in North End, Portsmouth, Hampshire on the 15th April 1913. He was the son of Thomas Thorn, a chef from Newport, and his wife Ellen Maria. In 1916, when Edward was three, his father was killed in the First World War. He was educated at local council schools in North End. At home he was known as Roland, although in later life in the RAF he was known as Ted. In August 1939 he married Marion McAlpine in Droxford, Hampshire, and the couple set up home in Bishop's Waltham, Hampshire.
In 1928 Edward joined the Royal Air Force as an aircraft apprentice passing out from the No. 1 School of Technical Training RAF based at RAF Halton. He trained to be a non-commissioned officer pilot and by the early 1930s had earned his pilot's aircrew brevet.
A month after war broke out in September 1939 he was posted to the newly formed 264 Squadron RAF at RAF Sutton Bridge flying the Boulton Paul Defiant. The Defiant was a single engine aeroplane armed with four .303 machine guns in a rear turret operated by an air gunner. Thorn teamed up with Air Gunner, Leading Aircraftman Frederick James They formed part of the flight commanded by Nicholas Gresham Cooke. In early operations the Defiant was often mistaken for the similarly-shaped Hawker Hurricane by German pilots who dived to attack from above and behind, the blind spot for a Hurricane pilot, but directly into the fire from the gunner's turret on a Defiant.
In the month of May 1940 they were credited with shooting down many German aircraft over Dunkirk, especially during the Luftwaffe's attempt to disrupt the beachhead evacuations from the town.
After the completion of the Dunkirk evacuation, the Luftwaffe had gained operational experience in fighting against the Defiant fighter. It had become an extremely vulnerable aircraft to operate in daylight against formations escorted by Bf 109 fighters. The months after Dunkirk were spent rebuilding the squadron, which had suffered heavy losses, and preparing for the Battle of Britain, which was to come. They moved to RAF Hornchurch on the 21st August 1940 to participate in the battle.
On the 14th June 1940 both Thorn and Barker were awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal for their bravery in action and success as a fighter crew. Barker was also promoted to sergeant.
Their joint DFM citation reads as follows:
Sergeant Thorn and Leading Aircraftman Barker, as pilot and air gunner respectively, have shown considerable determination and skill when engaging the enemy in a Defiant aircraft. On one occasion, when three similar aircraft in their squadron had been shot down, these airmen engaged three Messerschmitt 109's which were operating on the rear of the squadron, and succeeded in shooting them down. The remaining enemy aircraft were forced to break off the engagement. Sergeant Thorn and Leading Aircraftman Barker have so far destroyed six enemy aircraft.
Once again Thorn and Barker were in action. On the 24th August they destroyed a Ju88 and on the 26th they destroyed two Do17s and as they went for a third they were attacked by a Me109. With their aircraft damaged, Thorn spun down and prepared to make a crash-landing. At 500 feet the Me109 attacked again, this time setting the Defiant on fire. Before crashing, Barker shot the enemy fighter down and it crashed a short distance away. Thorn and Barker baled out and escaped with slight injuries.
Thorn and Barker were the most successful Boulton Paul Defiant crew of the war and in recognition of their success and bravery during the Battle of Britain they were each awarded a Bar to the DFM which was announced in the London Gazette on the 11th February 1941.
The Defiant aircraft was subsequently found to be unsuitable and vulnerable for daylight operations so the RAF re-assigned the fighters to night flying. Flying as night fighters, Thorn and Barker destroyed a Heinkel He 111 on the night of 9 – 10 April 1941 as it took part in the Blitz on England's cities.
By now promoted to Acting Warrant Officer, Ted was then commissioned as a Pilot Officer (service number 46957) on 11 October 1941. He joined 32 Squadron flying Hurricane fighters which meant breaking up the successful partnership with Fred Barker. Fred Barker remained with the squadron for two more years before becoming an instructor in the Middle East.
Promotions to Flying Officer, Flight Lieutenant & Acting Squadron Leader followed during 1942 and he commanded 32 Squadron from April to September 1942.
The squadron saw heavy action during the Dieppe Raid commando landings on 19 August 1942. Ted was decorated with the Distinguished Flying Cross on 22 September 1942 for his achievements in command and particularly for his bravery over Dieppe.
His DFC citation reads as follows:
Squadron Leader Thorn, by his personal example and untiring energy, has built his squadron into a highly efficient unit during the five months in which he has been its commanding officer. During the combined operations at Dieppe on 19th August, 1942, he displayed great courage and determination when under heavy fire from the ground defences and he refused to be diverted from his task when warned that he was being attacked by an enemy fighter. The successes achieved by the squadron on this and other occasions have been primarily due to Squadron Leader Thorn's gallantry and fine leadership both in the air and on the ground.
Ted completed a tour of duty as an instructor with No. 61 Operational Training Unit from November 1942 at the end of which he received a Mention in Despatches on 14 January 1944 for his dedication to the training of the young pilots under his command.
As a Flight Commander he was posted to 169 Squadron where he led night fighting and night intruder missions against the Luftwaffe night fighters over occupied Europe. Ted was awarded a Bar to his Distinguished Flying Cross on 8 December 1944, for his achievements in this role.
After the war and now a Squadron Leader, he was transferred to the Empire Central Flying School where early jet fighters were being flown. He commanded a training unit. In this position on the 1st January 1946 he was again Mentioned in Despatches for his skill and dedication as a flying instructor and commander.
On the 12th February 1946 Ted Thorn flew a Gloster Meteor aeroplane of the Empire Central Flying School He was killed when his aircraft dived out of a cloud crashing at Rectory Farm near Landbeach, Cambridgeshire.
LEST WE FORGET
(Biography researched online from various sources mainly Wikipedia & Battle of Britain Monument websites)
Awards: Distinguished Flying Cross and Bar, Distinguished Flying Medal and Bar.
Twice Mentioned in Despatches
Husband of Marion Thorn of Bishops Waltham .
"Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few." (Winston Churchill, 20 Aug 1940) Ted Thorn was one of these 'Few', who participated in 'The Battle Of Britain' during the Second World War. He was a pilot, squadron commander and a notable highly decorated flying ace of the Second World War.
Edward Roland Thorn was born in North End, Portsmouth, Hampshire on the 15th April 1913. He was the son of Thomas Thorn, a chef from Newport, and his wife Ellen Maria. In 1916, when Edward was three, his father was killed in the First World War. He was educated at local council schools in North End. At home he was known as Roland, although in later life in the RAF he was known as Ted. In August 1939 he married Marion McAlpine in Droxford, Hampshire, and the couple set up home in Bishop's Waltham, Hampshire.
In 1928 Edward joined the Royal Air Force as an aircraft apprentice passing out from the No. 1 School of Technical Training RAF based at RAF Halton. He trained to be a non-commissioned officer pilot and by the early 1930s had earned his pilot's aircrew brevet.
A month after war broke out in September 1939 he was posted to the newly formed 264 Squadron RAF at RAF Sutton Bridge flying the Boulton Paul Defiant. The Defiant was a single engine aeroplane armed with four .303 machine guns in a rear turret operated by an air gunner. Thorn teamed up with Air Gunner, Leading Aircraftman Frederick James They formed part of the flight commanded by Nicholas Gresham Cooke. In early operations the Defiant was often mistaken for the similarly-shaped Hawker Hurricane by German pilots who dived to attack from above and behind, the blind spot for a Hurricane pilot, but directly into the fire from the gunner's turret on a Defiant.
In the month of May 1940 they were credited with shooting down many German aircraft over Dunkirk, especially during the Luftwaffe's attempt to disrupt the beachhead evacuations from the town.
After the completion of the Dunkirk evacuation, the Luftwaffe had gained operational experience in fighting against the Defiant fighter. It had become an extremely vulnerable aircraft to operate in daylight against formations escorted by Bf 109 fighters. The months after Dunkirk were spent rebuilding the squadron, which had suffered heavy losses, and preparing for the Battle of Britain, which was to come. They moved to RAF Hornchurch on the 21st August 1940 to participate in the battle.
On the 14th June 1940 both Thorn and Barker were awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal for their bravery in action and success as a fighter crew. Barker was also promoted to sergeant.
Their joint DFM citation reads as follows:
Sergeant Thorn and Leading Aircraftman Barker, as pilot and air gunner respectively, have shown considerable determination and skill when engaging the enemy in a Defiant aircraft. On one occasion, when three similar aircraft in their squadron had been shot down, these airmen engaged three Messerschmitt 109's which were operating on the rear of the squadron, and succeeded in shooting them down. The remaining enemy aircraft were forced to break off the engagement. Sergeant Thorn and Leading Aircraftman Barker have so far destroyed six enemy aircraft.
Once again Thorn and Barker were in action. On the 24th August they destroyed a Ju88 and on the 26th they destroyed two Do17s and as they went for a third they were attacked by a Me109. With their aircraft damaged, Thorn spun down and prepared to make a crash-landing. At 500 feet the Me109 attacked again, this time setting the Defiant on fire. Before crashing, Barker shot the enemy fighter down and it crashed a short distance away. Thorn and Barker baled out and escaped with slight injuries.
Thorn and Barker were the most successful Boulton Paul Defiant crew of the war and in recognition of their success and bravery during the Battle of Britain they were each awarded a Bar to the DFM which was announced in the London Gazette on the 11th February 1941.
The Defiant aircraft was subsequently found to be unsuitable and vulnerable for daylight operations so the RAF re-assigned the fighters to night flying. Flying as night fighters, Thorn and Barker destroyed a Heinkel He 111 on the night of 9 – 10 April 1941 as it took part in the Blitz on England's cities.
By now promoted to Acting Warrant Officer, Ted was then commissioned as a Pilot Officer (service number 46957) on 11 October 1941. He joined 32 Squadron flying Hurricane fighters which meant breaking up the successful partnership with Fred Barker. Fred Barker remained with the squadron for two more years before becoming an instructor in the Middle East.
Promotions to Flying Officer, Flight Lieutenant & Acting Squadron Leader followed during 1942 and he commanded 32 Squadron from April to September 1942.
The squadron saw heavy action during the Dieppe Raid commando landings on 19 August 1942. Ted was decorated with the Distinguished Flying Cross on 22 September 1942 for his achievements in command and particularly for his bravery over Dieppe.
His DFC citation reads as follows:
Squadron Leader Thorn, by his personal example and untiring energy, has built his squadron into a highly efficient unit during the five months in which he has been its commanding officer. During the combined operations at Dieppe on 19th August, 1942, he displayed great courage and determination when under heavy fire from the ground defences and he refused to be diverted from his task when warned that he was being attacked by an enemy fighter. The successes achieved by the squadron on this and other occasions have been primarily due to Squadron Leader Thorn's gallantry and fine leadership both in the air and on the ground.
Ted completed a tour of duty as an instructor with No. 61 Operational Training Unit from November 1942 at the end of which he received a Mention in Despatches on 14 January 1944 for his dedication to the training of the young pilots under his command.
As a Flight Commander he was posted to 169 Squadron where he led night fighting and night intruder missions against the Luftwaffe night fighters over occupied Europe. Ted was awarded a Bar to his Distinguished Flying Cross on 8 December 1944, for his achievements in this role.
After the war and now a Squadron Leader, he was transferred to the Empire Central Flying School where early jet fighters were being flown. He commanded a training unit. In this position on the 1st January 1946 he was again Mentioned in Despatches for his skill and dedication as a flying instructor and commander.
On the 12th February 1946 Ted Thorn flew a Gloster Meteor aeroplane of the Empire Central Flying School He was killed when his aircraft dived out of a cloud crashing at Rectory Farm near Landbeach, Cambridgeshire.
LEST WE FORGET
(Biography researched online from various sources mainly Wikipedia & Battle of Britain Monument websites)
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