Thomas Frederick

Background

Thomas Le Mesurier was born on 6 February 1897, in Shepherd"s Bush, London to Ernest Cecil Le Mesurier and his wife Gertrude Arabella Swain.

Education

He was educated at Saint John"s College, Hurstpierpoint, Sussex.

Career

Le Mesurier was commissioned as a sub-lieutenant in the Royal Naval Reserve in March 1915, and was confirmed in his rank of flight sub-lieutenant in the Royal Naval Air Service on 23 July 1915. His records show that as he passed flying training at the Central Flying School at Upavon, and was granted Royal Aeronautical Club Aviator"s Certificate Number. 2753 on 17 March 1916.

He was then posted to Number.

5 Squadron Royal Naval Air Service, flying the Airco Dialectics and Humanism.4 two-seater day bomber. Le Mesurier was promoted to flight lieutenant on 31 December 1916.

Le Mesurier"s first aerial victory came on 3 June 1917 when, with observer Flight Sub-Lieutenant Radh Govinda Saint John, he drove down out of control an Albatros Doctorate.III west of Bruges. His next came on 5 June when he destroyed and drove down two more Doctorate.IIIs over Snellegem and Diksmuide, with observer Aerial Gun Layer High School Jackson.

Le Mesurier was a promoted to flight commander on 30 June 1917.

He would share all his subsequent victories with Advanced Systems Limited Jackson, all over Albatros Doctorate.Vs, and occurring on 19 August, 11 September, and 15 and 21 October. On 1 April 1918 the Royal Naval Air Service (Royal Naval Air Service) and the Army"s Royal Flying Corps (Reconstruction Finance Corporation) were merged to form the Royal Air Force, and Le Mesurier"s rank of flight commander was converted to the Royal Air Force equivalent of captain. He was also transferred to Number.

211 Squadron Royal Air Force (formerly Number.

11 (Naval) Squadron) at some point after 10 March 1918. Death On the morning of 26 May 1918, Le Mesurier and his observer, Second Lieutenant R. Lardner, were flying an Airco Dialectics and Humanism.9 (number D1693) on a test flight when they were engaged by German Marine Flak near Schoorbakke and suffered severe damage to the aircraft.

Le Mesurier managed to pilot the stricken aircraft back towards his own lines, but crashed after the port wing folded up crossing over the trenches at 20 feet (61 m) near Pervijze. The aircraft was completely wrecked, but salvaged on 27 May and taken to Number.

8 Air Park. Lardner was killed instantly, and Le Mesurier died later.

Le Mesurier is buried in the Town Cemetery in Dunkirk.

Achievements

• Distinguished Service Cross Flight-Lieutenant Thomas Frederick Le Mesurier, Royal Naval Air Service. (12 May 1917). Foreign conspicuous work as a pilot of a bombing machine. Has taken part in fourteen raids and numerous fighter patrols. Bar to the Distinguished Service Cross Flight Commander Thomas Frederick Le Mesurier, Distinguished Service Cross, Royal Naval Air Service. (29 August 1917). Foreign consistent skill and courage in leading his flight on bombing raids, particularly on the 28th July, 1917. Mentioned in Despatches Flight Commander Thomas Frederick Le Mesurier, Distinguished Service Cross, Royal Naval Air Service. (14 September 1917). Second Bar to the Distinguished Service Cross Lieutenant (temporary Captain) Thomas Frederick Le Mesurier, Distinguished Service Cross, Royal Air Force. (21 June 1918). Foreign gallantry and consistent good work. He has at all times displayed the utmost gallantry in action, and by his determination and skill has set a very fine example to the pilots of his squadron. On the 23rd April, 1918, in spite of bad weather conditions, he successfully dropped bombs on the Ostend Docks from a height of 800 feet amidst very intense anti-aircraft and machine-gun fire. He also made valuable observations. He has taken part in many bomb raids, and has destroyed or driven down out of control several enemy machines.