Sergeant Thomas John Wilson (1498723) served in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve during the Second World War. Known as Jack, he was the eldest son of Thomas Wilson and Sarah Agnes Wilson of 5 Upper Charleville Street, Belfast.
Jack lived at Lower Tannybrake, Ballymena, Co. Antrim, and worked for Messrs. Lipton’s at York Street, Belfast before the outbreak of the Second World War. After enlisting in the Royal Air Force, he flew with R.C.A.F. 428 (Ghost) Squadron.
He died on 28th September 1943 aged 23 years old when Handley Page Halifax EB215 NA-T went down near Oosterhof, Netherlands following a bombing raid over Hamburg, Germany. The crew took off at 1917hrs the previous day from R.A.F. Middleton St. George, Durham, England. Anti-Aircraft fire took down the Mark V bomber at 0017hrs killing 6 of the 7 crew members on board. The survivor managed to bale out as the Halifax exploded in mid-air.
Remembering the crew of Halifax EB215
| Last Name | First Name(s) | Rank | Role | Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Farmer | John Ernest | Sergeant | Pilot | R.A.F.V.R. 1338093. Killed. |
| Griffin | D.A.J. | Sergeant | Navigator | R.A.F.V.R. 1497289. Prisoner of War. |
| Mussen | William Edward | Sergeant | Air Gunner | R.A.F. 618204. Killed. |
| Satchell | John Walter | Sergeant | Flight Engineer | R.A.F.V.R. 1801758. Killed. |
| Springett | Eric Turner | Sergeant | Wireless Operator / Air Gunner | R.A.F.V.R. 1336371. Killed. |
| Stuart | Alfred | Sergeant | Air Gunner | R.A.F.V.R. 1121371. Killed. |
| Wilson | Thomas John "Jack" | Sergeant | Bomb Aimer | R.A.F.V.R. 1498723. Killed. |
Thomas John Wilson’s grave is in Grave 691 of Epe General Cemetery, Vaassen, Netherlands. His headstone bears the inscription:
Gone to be with Christ which is far better.