Thomas Wallace (RAF officer)

Thomas Young Wallace, DFM (5 October 1916 – 11 November 1944) was a South African fighter pilot and flying ace who was credited with 8 aerial victories during the Second World War.[1]

Thomas Wallace
Born(1916-10-05)5 October 1916
Johannesburg, Union of South Africa
Died11 November 1944(1944-11-11) (aged 28)
over France
Buried
Pihen-Les Guines War Cemetery
AllegianceUnited Kingdom
Service/branchRoyal Air Force
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Years of service1939–1944
RankSquadron Leader
Service number149635
Commands heldNo. 609 Squadron RAF
Battles/warsSecond World War
AwardsDistinguished Flying Medal

Military career

Born in Johannesburg, the son of William Francis and Ruth Agnes Wallace,[2] Wallace left South Africa to join the Royal Air Force (RAF) after completing his schooling at Jeppe High School for Boys.[1] He was appointed as an acting pilot officer on probation in October 1939 on a short service commission[3][4] After he finished his training he joined No. 610 Squadron RAF.[1]

Wallace was court-martialled for being absent without leave for 2 days and his commission was terminated on 1 July 1940.[4][5] He promptly joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (RAFVR) with the rank of sergeant before moving to No. 111 Squadron RAF in July 1940, flying the Hawker Hurricane.[1] On 15 August he shot down two planes and damaged two more; the next day he claimed one more shot down and another damaged, and did the same on 18 August.[4] In the space of three weeks he was credited with seven kills and four probables, a feat that saw him receive the Distinguished Flying Medal in October 1940.[1]

On 7 September 1940, Wallace's Hurricane was damaged over the English Channel but he managed to get back over land before bailing out.[4] He shared in the damage of a Heinkel He 111 bomber in November but was then moved to non-operational postings until 1944.[1] He was promoted to warrant officer in 1943.[1][4]

The citation for his Distinguished Flying Medal reads:

In a period of three weeks, Sergeant Wallace has destroyed seven enemy aircraft and probably another four. On one occasion he became separated from his squadron and, single-handed, pursued a formation of enemy bombers back to the French coast. While in mid-channel he was attacked by six enemy fighters, and although his aircraft was severely damaged in the resulting battle, he shot down one enemy aircraft and damaged another. Sergeant Wallace has displayed conspicuous courage and fighting ability.[6]

Wallace was again commissioned and, in September 1944, was given command of No. 609 Squadron RAF, which was flying Hawker Typhoons in France. He was killed by flak on 11 November 1944.[1] Squadron Leader Wallace was buried at Pihen-les-Guines War Cemetery in the Pas-de-Calais, France.[2][4]

References
  1. Shores, C; Williams C (1994). Aces High: A Tribute to the Most Notable Fighter Pilots. Grub Street. p. 923. ISBN 1-898697-00-0.
  2. "Casualty Details: Wallace, Thomas Young". Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
  3. "No. 34727". The London Gazette. 7 November 1939. pp. 7498–7499.
  4. Wynn, Kenneth (2015). Men of the Battle of Britain. Frontline Books. p. 543. ISBN 978-1473847675.
  5. "No. 34898". The London Gazette. 16 July 1940. p. 4363.
  6. "No. 34978". The London Gazette. 25 October 1940. p. 6194.
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