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jamiemcginlay



Joined: 20 Dec 2006
Posts: 930
Location: Glasgow

PostPosted: Thu Mar 08, 2007 10:28 pm    Post subject: PORTMOAK Reply with quote

Map Information Location:
Grid ref: NO178025
Web Address: www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?lat=56.2087&lon=-3.3261&scale=25000&icon=x

The Kinneswood war memorial is a rustic granite stone with a base made of two low steps. A celtic wheel-head cross is carved in relief in a recessed circle on the upper face and the commemoration and names of the dead are listed on the recessed panel below.
The monument stands at the edge of the village beside the golf course.




WWI ROLL OF HONOUR:
Anderson Alexander King's Own Scottish Borderers
Anderson Peter Black Watch
Black Harry Black Watch
Blackwood John Black Watch
Collier Tom Royal Scots
Curtis Ben Gordon Highlanders
Dingwall William Scots Guards
Duncan Robert Canadians
Glass Charles Canadians
Goodwillie Andrew Black Watch
Marshall Alexander Black Watch
McMenemy Tom J. Royal Garrison Artillery
Miller Robert East Yorks
Miller Stewart Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
Peebles Andrew Scots Guards
Peters William A.S.C.
Ritchie John Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
Sharp Michael Royal Scots
Taylor David Royal Scots Fusiliers
Taylor Robert Royal Garrison Artillery
Whyte John King's Own Scottish Borderers



WWII ROLL OF HONOUR:
Edgar Charles Royal Air Force
Thompson George Royal Air Force Victoria Cross
Thomson James Royal Air Force
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spoons



Joined: 09 Jan 2007
Posts: 4991
Location: St John's Town of Dalry

PostPosted: Thu Mar 08, 2007 10:58 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The following is a link to details about George Thompson's VC:

http://www.eviltaxman.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/vctinfo.htm
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dhubthaigh
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Joined: 19 Dec 2006
Posts: 5071
Location: Blairgowrie, Perthshire

PostPosted: Sat May 05, 2007 6:45 pm    Post subject: REQUEST FOR ADAM Reply with quote

Adam,
Could you move this thread for Kinneswood to Perth & Kinross, as it is in Kinross-shire. This will be the civic memorial for the parish of Portmoak. Thanks,
Mark
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dhubthaigh
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PostPosted: Sun May 06, 2007 4:22 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote


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dhubthaigh
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PostPosted: Thu Oct 11, 2007 11:07 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Name: THOMPSON, GEORGE
Initials: G
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Flight Sergeant (W. Op./Air)
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Unit Text: 9 Sqdn.
Age: 24
Date of Death: 23/01/1945
Service No: 1370700
Awards: V C
Additional information: Son of James and Jessie Thompson, of Glencraig, Fife.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: X. 27. 45.
Cemetery: BRUSSELS TOWN CEMETERY
Citation: The London Gazette of 16th February 1945 gives the following details : Flight Sergeant Thompson was the wireless operator in an aircraft which attacked the Dortmund-Ems Canal by daylight on 1st January, 1945. Just after releasing its bombs, the aircraft was hit by a heavy shell which set it on fire and caused extensive damage. Flight Sergeant Thompson without hesitation went through the fire and exploding ammunition and rescued the gunners from the mid-upper and rear gun-turrets, both of whom were unconscious. With his bare hands he extinguished their burning clothing. He then with great difficulty made his way back through the burning fuselage to report to the captain of the aircraft. He might have devoted his efforts to quelling the fire, but preferred to go through it to save his comrades, hazarding his life. Three weeks later he died of his injuries. One of the gunners he rescued survived; he owes his life to the gallantry of Flight Sergeant Thompson, whose courage and self-sacrifice will ever be an inspiration to the Service.
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dhubthaigh
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PostPosted: Thu Oct 11, 2007 11:08 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Flight Sergeant George Thompson, VC

Extract from The London Gazette of 20th February 1945

“1370700 Flight Sergeant George Thompson, RAFVR, No IX Squadron, Bomber Command.

This airman was a wireless operator in a Lancaster bomber, which attacked the Dortmund Ems Canal in daylight on 1st January 1945.

The bombs had just been released, when a heavy shell hit the aircraft in front of the mid-upper turret. Fore broke and dense smoke filled the fuselage. The nose of the aircraft was then hit and an inrush of air, clearing the smoke revealed a scene of utter devastation. Most of the Perspex screen of the nose compartment had been shot away, gaping holes had been torn in the canopy above the pilot’s head, the inter-communication wiring had been severed and there was a large hole in the floor of the aircraft. Bedding and other equipment were badly damaged or alight; one engine was on fire.

Flight Sergeant Thompson saw that the gunner was unconscious in the blazing mid-upper turret. Without hesitation he went down the fuselage into the fire and exploding ammunition. He pulled the gunner from his turret and, edging his way round the hole in the floor, carried him away from the flames. With his bare hands, he extinguished the gunner’s burning clothing. He himself sustained serious burns on his face, hands and legs.

Flight Sergeant Thompson then noticed that the rear gunner was also on fire. Despite his own severe injuries he moved painfully to the rear of the fuselage where he found the rear gunner with his clothing alight, overcome by flames and fumes. A second time Flight Sergeant Thompson braved the flames. With great difficulty he extracted the helpless gunner and carried him clear. Again, he used his bare hands, already burnt, to beat out the flames on a comrades clothing.

Flight Sergeant Thompson, by now almost exhausted, felt that his duty was not yet done. He must report the fate of the crew to the captain. He made a perilous journey back through the burning fuselage, clinging to the sides with his burnt hands to get across the hole in the floor. The flow of cold air caused him intense pain and frostbite developed. So pitiful was his condition that his captain failed to recognise him. Still, his only concern was for the two gunners he had left in the rear of the aircraft. He was given such attention as was possible until a crash landing was made some forty minutes later.

When the aircraft was hit, Flight Sergeant might have devoted his efforts to quelling the fire and so contributed to his own safety. He preferred to go through the fire to succour his comrades. He knew that he would then be in no position to hear or heed any order, which might be given to abandon the aircraft. He hazarded his own life to save the lives of others. Young in years and experience, his actions were those of a veteran.

Three weeks later Flight Sergeant Thompson died of his injuries. One of the gunners unfortunately died, but the other owes his life to the superb gallantry of Flight Sergeant Thompson, whose single courage and self-sacrifice will ever be an inspiration to the service.”

A Canadian Spitfire squadron escorted the Lancaster bomber until it had crossed safely behind the Allied lines. By this time the bomber was down to two engines only. It eventually crash landed in a field in Holland, but without catching fire. The remaining four crew members were unharmed and were able to drag Thompson and the two gunners out of the fuselage. One story has it that Thompson said to the pilot after: ‘Good landing, skipper’.

They were taken to a hospital in Eindhoven. Sadly, the upper gunner died the next day. Thompson, although very badly burned seemed to be making good progress, but his burns were too intense and sadly he too succumbed to pneumonia three weeks later.

The pilot. Flight Lieutenant Harry Denton was awarded the DFC for his courage in getting the aircraft back and George Thompson was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross.

George Thompson’s action won him the most glowing panegyric in the long and eloquent history of the VC awards. ‘His courage,’ said the Citation, ‘has seldom been equalled and never surpassed.’

George Thompson came from Kirkness farm and he attended Portmoak Primary School. There is a bronze memorial plaque in the entrance to the school to commemorate his immense courage.
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spoons



Joined: 09 Jan 2007
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Location: St John's Town of Dalry

PostPosted: Fri Oct 12, 2007 9:14 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

and details of the event from the 'Lost Bombers' website:-

Lancaster PD377 Information
Type Lancaster
Serial Number PD377
Squadron 9
X1D WS-?
Operation Ladbergen
Date 1 1st January 1945
Date 2 1st January 1945


Further Information
"Serial Range PD198 - PD444 This aircraft was one of a batch of 200 Lancaster Mk.1s ordered in aprr43 from Metropolitan Vickers and delivered from Jun44 to Dec44 with Merlin 24 engines. Delivered to 9 Sqdn Oct44. ED377, piloted by F/O R.F.H.denton, was hit by Flak over the target and set on fire. F/S G.Thompson, W/Op, rescued both gunners from their blazing turrets, suffering severe burns himself in the process. The Lancaster crash-landed at Brussels and F/S Thompson was rushed to Hspital where he died three weeks later of his burns. The MU Gunner Sgt E.J.Potts also died of his injuries. F/S Thompson was awarded a posthumous VC for his courage, promulgated 16Feb45. F/O R.F.H.Denton RNZAF Sgt W.N.Hartshorn Inj f/S E.Kneebone P/O E.R.Goebel Inj F/S G.Thompson Inj Sgt E.J.Potts Inj Sgt J.T. Price Inj "
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dalblair



Joined: 26 Aug 2010
Posts: 564
Location: coupar angus

PostPosted: Thu Mar 10, 2011 6:37 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Unveiled at 3pm on Saturday 17th July 1920 by Dean of Faculty AHBConstable CBE,KC.
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dalblair



Joined: 26 Aug 2010
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Location: coupar angus

PostPosted: Thu Jul 28, 2011 11:21 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Designed by Wm Constable,Edinburgh ad executed by Messrs McGlashan&Son ltd,Edinburgh.
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