Sergeant Robert Tod Tomlinson, D.F.M., 12 Sqn, RAF

Discussion in 'The War In The Air' started by dbf, May 16, 2009.

  1. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Sergeant Robert Tod Tomlinson was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal.
    When their aircraft caught fire after making a forced landing, Sergeant Tomlinson and another member of the crew rescued the pilot, who was enveloped in flames.

    Elder son of Captain and Mrs. T.S. Tomlinson, of Dublin, he was educated at the High School, Dublin (1928-36). He was killed on February 8th, 1941, and his body was brought back to Dublin for burial.


    CWGC :: Casualty Details
    Sergeant ROBERT TOD TOMLINSON D F M 550950, 12 Sqdn., Royal Air Force who died age 22 on 08 February 1941
    Son of Thomas Singleton and Ida Gertrude Tomlinson, of Dublin.
    Remembered with honour MOUNT JEROME CEMETERY
    Grave/Memorial Reference: Grave C.17928-138
    :poppy:


    See this thread for ref:
    www.ww2talk.com/forum/research-material/19413-volunteers-eire-who-have-won-distinctions.html#post195852
    :irishflag[1]:
     
  2. Peter Clare

    Peter Clare Very Senior Member

    8 February 1941.

    12 Squadron.

    Wellington II W5365 PH-

    Training.

    Crew.
    S/L. P C. Lawrence +
    P/O. R. Atkinson +
    Sgt. J J. Batty +
    Sgt. R T. Tomlinson DFM +
    Sgt. A. Crooks +
    Sgt. E F. carter +
    Sgt. N C. Boyle +

    Stalled and crashed while trying to land at Tollerton. The Wellington came down near Cotgrave, 5 miles south east of Nottingham.

    Note.
    On this day AC1 J D. Boxall of 12 Squadron lost his life. It is thought he may have been flying as a passenger in the Wellington described above.

    BCL Vol.2 - W R. Chorley
     
  3. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    12 Squadron, Amifontaine.

    Battle L4949. Hit by intense ground-fire and engine set alight during low-level attack on enemy column 14km north-east of Luxembourg. Crash-landed on fire at 'Mohimont', Sommethonne, north-west of Virton, 5.55pm. Flight Lieutenant W. Simpson seriously burned, and LAC R.T. Tomlinson burnt hands, both treated at emergency hospital near Verdun before transport to hospital in Bar-le-Duc where they were separated. Sergeant E.N. Odell unhurt. Aircraft PH*V a write off.

    William Simpson was later awarded the DFC, his crew both receiving the DFM. Simpson's wounds resulted in him being repatriated to England in November 1941.
     
  4. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Immediate.

    LG 31.5.1940.

    Wireless Operator/Air Gunner.

    Air 2/4097.

    On 11th May 1940, Corporal Tomlinson acted as Wireless Operator/Air Gunner to Flt. Lt. W. Simpson on a low-level bombing attack on troops and convoys on the road between Luxembourg and Junglister, the aim being to check the German advance after the violation of Holland and Belgium. In spite of intense opposition from light anti-aircraft fire from the time the frontier was crossed at Petange, the attack was pressed home and direct hits scored. After the attack, a petrol leak developed and the pilot had to make a forced landing 2 1/2 miles north west of Virton. After touching down, the aircraft caught fire. Immediately, Corporal Tomlinson and the Air Observer, Sergeant Odell, without thought for their own safety, scrambled to the pilot who was enveloped in flames and pulled him clear of the aircraft which afterwards blew up. This mission was carried out in Battle aircraft number L.4949. Valuable photographs of the bombing and convoy were obtained by Corporal Tomlinson.

    13th May 1940.


    The Distinguished Flying Medal Register of the Second World War Vol.II - Ian Tavender.
     
  5. APJM

    APJM Junior Member

    Hi Peter,
    I am new to the form and have being working through the list of Irishmen decorated while serving with the British forces (particularly RAF) as my father was one of them, I have collected some information on various individuals and will post when I get a bit more use to how every think works on the site - I thought you might be able to suggest a solution to the following: would be possible to trace records for decorated individuals from November 1944 to the end of the war the essential part being their place of birth or next of kin address at the time. Would the citation records contain any personal information or would it be recorded elsewhere? I plan a trip to Kew this summer but thought you might be able to give me some direction prior to that.
    Many thanks
    best wishes
    APJM
    Emailed dbf a while ago who said you were the expert in Air matters
     
  6. Peter Clare

    Peter Clare Very Senior Member

    Hi Peter,
    I am new to the form and have being working through the list of Irishmen decorated while serving with the British forces (particularly RAF) as my father was one of them, I have collected some information on various individuals and will post when I get a bit more use to how every think works on the site - I thought you might be able to suggest a solution to the following: would be possible to trace records for decorated individuals from November 1944 to the end of the war the essential part being their place of birth or next of kin address at the time. Would the citation records contain any personal information or would it be recorded elsewhere? I plan a trip to Kew this summer but thought you might be able to give me some direction prior to that.
    Many thanks
    best wishes
    APJM
    Emailed dbf a while ago who said you were the expert in Air matters

    Have replied to PM
     

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