Background
George Edwin Thomson was the son of James and Ellen Thomson, who were native to Glenfuccan, Helensburgh, Dumbartonshire, Scotland. He was born in Rangoon (now Yangon), Burma (now Myanmar) on 19 September 1897.
George Edwin Thomson was the son of James and Ellen Thomson, who were native to Glenfuccan, Helensburgh, Dumbartonshire, Scotland. He was born in Rangoon (now Yangon), Burma (now Myanmar) on 19 September 1897.
He was the second ranking ace of his squadron, and one of the leading Sopwith Camel aces. Thomson came to the United Kingdom in order to join the King"s Own Scottish Borderers. He transferred to the Royal Flying Corps in September 1916.
His appointment as a Flying Officer with the rank of temporary second lieutenant was dated 30 December 1916.
Thomson was seriously injured during flight training. The accident left him with lasting scars to his face.
Nevertheless, he joined 46 Squadron during the summer of 1917, to fly a Sopwith Pup. On 25 September 1917, he scored his first victory flying Pup northern
B2196, destroying an enemy reconnaissance plane.
Then 46 Squadron re-equipped with Sopwith Camels. On 30 November 1917, Thomson used Camel northern B3514 to destroy an Albatros Doctorate.V and capture a Pfalz Doctorate.III. On 10 December, he drove down another Doctorate.V out of control, using Camel northern
B2451.
He would not score again until 18 January 1918, when he drove another two-seater down out of control, still using B2451. In February, he would use Camel B9131 to drive down an Albatros two-seater. Then came March. He used four different Camels and reeled off fifteen victories within the month, including four on the 16th, three on the 23rd, and two on the 17th.
The three on the 23rd brought his total to 21.
The Distinguished Service Order followed on 22 June. He was then transferred to the Home Establishment in England as an instructor.
On 23 May 1918, he took off from Number. 7 Training Depot at Portuguese Meadow, Oxford.
His plane burst into flames and he died in the fiery crash.
He was buried at Wolvercote Cemetery, Oxford.