Fund attends 80th anniversary memorial for Flt Sgt George Thompson VC

On Thursday 23 January, the RAF Benevolent Fund was honoured to speak at a memorial event held at Kinross High School, marking 80 years since Flight Sergeant George Thompson was awarded the Victoria Cross.  

George was originally from a farm near Kinross and attended Kinross High School, where they remember his brave exploits to this day. He was a wireless operator and flew Lancasters with IX(B) Sqn RAF in the Second World War. 

During a bombing mission to the Dortmund-Ems Canal on 1st January 1945, George's aircraft was hit several times and caught fire. This resulted in him selflessly and gallantly rescuing 2 fellow crew members who were immersed in flames. In rescuing them, he was very badly burned himself and died on 23rd January 1945. His extreme bravery was recognised by the award of a posthumous Victoria Cross on 20th February 1945 where it was said: "His courage has seldom been equalled and never surpassed."

The Fund was represented by Wing Commander Gavin Davey, Area Director for Scotland, who, in a short address, set the scene for the pupils' research project by explaining how a Lancaster bomber conducted wartime operations and how the crew went about its arduous task.