Thomas Wallace (RAF officer)
Thomas Wallace | |
|---|---|
| Born | 5 October 1916 Johannesburg, Union of South Africa |
| Died | 11 November 1944 (aged 28) Dunkirk, France |
| Buried | Pihen-Les Guines War Cemetery, France |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Branch | Royal Air Force Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve |
| Years of service | 1939–1940 (RAF) 1940–1944 (RAFVR) |
| Rank | Squadron Leader |
| Service number | 149635 |
| Commands | No. 609 Squadron |
| Battles / wars | Second World War |
| Awards | Distinguished Flying Medal |
Thomas Young Wallace DFM (5 October 1916 – 11 November 1944) was a South African fighter pilot and flying ace of the Royal Air Force (RAF). He was credited with at least six aerial victories during the Second World War.
From Johannesburg, Wallace joined the RAF in 1939 and once his training was completed in June the following year was posted as a pilot officer to No. 610 Squadron. He lost his commission after a court-martial for being absent without leave but promptly joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. He was posted to No. 111 Squadron and flying a Hawker Hurricane fighter achieved a number of aerial victories during the Battle of Britain. He spent the next three years of his war service in non-operational roles until September 1944, when he was given command of No. 609 Squadron. He was killed in action while flying a Hawker Typhoon fighter over Dunkirk in France.