412 Sqn Pilots 1943-44

[Chris Goss]

Can anyone please tell me the service numbers and christian names of Fg Off R W Thatcher and Plt Off J S Hamilton?

[Alex Smart]

F/O. R. W. THATCHER.
Could he be Raymond William THATCHER, J/15837, POW at L3, number 5840 ?
Ref: RAF Commands data file.
F/O. J. S. HAMILTON,J/16751, may be this man, WNG/CDR. John Stewart HAMILTON, AFC.( by which time a different service number ?).

Thatcher was in Spitfire MH427 in collision with Hamilton's Spitfire MJ136 over Pas de Calais, on May 11th 1944. Hamilton was rescued . Thatcher was reported mia but became a pow.

[Chris Goss]

Thanks Alex. Another example of don't rely on RAF Fighter Command Losses. F540 is incomplete but states J16751 for Hamilton and J15836 for Thatcher, former picked up by ASR launch, nothing on latter

[Leendert]

Chris,

You may want to check this link where MJ136 suddenly appears again in the ORB on 10.6.44.... Typo? See https://www.wartimes.ca/forums/viewtopic.php?t=742

Regards,
Leendert

[Alex Smart]

Hi Chris,
The a/c serial number for either pilot may be in error, but "Spitfire the history" has the following
MJ136
39 MU 16-10-43.
405 ARF 25-10.
412 S 21-11.
CE ops 11-5-44.
However the ORB also has the following.
MJ136
2-6-44 BOKER
6-6-44 JAMESON
6-6-44 SAUNDERSON
7-6-44 PHILLIPS
So this opens up the question of Hamilton's a/c on the 11-5-44 as well as the book details ?

With regard to Hamilton's rescue, did this happen or was there a mix up with the earlier Walrus rescue of Thatcher and Hamilton returned with his a/c which may have been returned to service soon after ? But Hamilton's rescue was by boat wasn't it ?

[Chris Goss]

Thanks guys but it is the pilots I am interested in not as much the aircraft

[Alex Smart]

Re Service number,
There are two pages each showing Thatcher''s service number.
One shows J.15836 while the other shows J.15837.

https://www.wartimes.ca/forums/downl...le.php?id=2855


https://www.wartimes.ca/forums/downl...le.php?id=2861

[Chris Goss]

Thanks-looks like finger trouble

[paulmcmillan]

First name(s)
R. W.
Last name
Thatcher
Service number
J15837
Year
—
Prison camp or ship
Sagan and Belaria
Country
—
Conflict
World War 2

[alieneyes1]

Previously reported missing on active service; now reported prisoners of war, Germany

J15837 F/O Richard William Thatcher, Francis Thatcher (father) New Castle, Indiana

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/...ard-w-thatcher