102 (Ceylon) Squadron
Tentate et perficite (Attempt and Achieve)
Sergeant Thomas McCallum
On the 2nd December 1942 W7913 DY-C took off from Pockilington on a mission to Frankfurt
This plane contained one of three aircrews to be lost that night stationed with 102 squadron. S/L J.G.G. Walkington (W7916 DY-L) and Sgt H.A.E. Charman (W7884 DH-H) being the other two.
We have been contacted by David McCallum, Thomas's son, and he has supplied us with some fantastic photo's of Thomas and of Harry Morrissey. If you are a relative if any of these men, please, please get in contact with us and we will pass your details onto David.
Fl/Sgt. Harry Morrissy - Pilot - D.F.M. - R.C.A.F. Aged 25 - (C.W.G.C.)
Sgt. Robert Francis Hughes Kenyon - Pilot - (C.W.G.C.)
Sgt. John Martin Beart Albrecht - F/E - Aged 23 - (C.W.G.C.)
F/O. Donald Edward Pike - BA - Aged 27 - (C.W.G.C.)
Sgt. Erlin Leslie Ross Brown - Obs - Aged 30 - (C.W.G.C.)
Sgt. George Allen Robson - WOp - Aged 27 - (C.W.G.C.)
Sgt. John William Taylor - AG - Aged 21 - (C.W.G.C.)
Sgt. Thomas McCallum - AG - Aged 22 - (C.W.G.C.)
The crew were airborne at 01.45 but sadly shot down by a night-fighter and crashed between Resteigne and Grupont (Luxembourg), two small vilages SSW and SSE of Rochefort, Belgium.
From David: I should like to take the opportunity to correct something.
Many books and articles on the internet credit
Ludwig Meister as the Luftwaffe nightfighter who shot down my father's Halifax.
The nightfighter who was actually responsible was in fact Dieter Erichsen. This was actually corroborated in copies of letters which I have, where Harry Morrissy's family in the United States actually contacted Ludwig Meister ,he confirmed that the strike was not his and he was not in the area on the particular night of 2nd/3rd Dec.1942.
It was indeed the first plane which was shot down by Dieter Erichsen.
All seven airmen are buried in Florennes Communal Cemetery.
Thomas was born in Alloa, Clackmannanshire in January 1920. He was one of five children born to David and Julia McCallum who had a grocery shop in the town.
On finishing school Thomas began employment as an apprentice engineer with the Alloa Glass Work Co.
He enlisted with RAFVR at 3 Depot Padgate on 4th September 1939 the day after World War 2 was
declared.
During 1940 when stationed in the Inverness area, he met a local girl at a dance (from all accounts he was quite an accomplished dancer and with some contrast, also a fairly good boxer).
The girl was Doris Fraser and they became engaged and subsequently married in January 1941.
Their only child David was born in December 1941.
Thomas would visit his new wife and baby son as often as possible, which was difficult as some of his postings were in the South of England, at a great distance in travelling time from Inverness, particularly in wartime.
My mother would tell me that she also managed to spend time with him at some of his postings during 1941 and in particular she mentioned Nottingham (Hucknall) and at accommodation in Chichester.
She would speak lovingly of her time with him for the rest of her life.
Although many years has passed since my father was killed in action his name will go forward for many years to come, not least through one of his four great grandchildren, who is proudly called Thomas McCallum.
Service Record
Padgate September 1939
8 Band GS During 1940
1(P)FTS “ “ “ “ “ “
16(p)FTS “ “ “
Recommended for Air Gunner Training 24/6/1941
Hucknall July 1941
19 OTU October 1941
ACRC November 1941
14 ITW “ “ “ “
9 AGS April 1942
9 AFU June 1942
19 OTU Air Gunner Pass
102 Squadron September 1942
Flight Missions
Sept 1942 Took off- Returned Engine Problem
Oct 1942 Aachen
Oct 1942 Kiel
Cologne
Nov 1942 Genoa
Turin
Stuttgart
Turin
Dec 3rd Frankfurt (KIA)