Date of birth:

October 5th, 1916 (Johannesburg, South Africa)

Date of death:

November 11th, 1944 (Pas de Calais, France)

Buried on:

Commonwealth War Graves Pihen-lès-Guines Communal Cemetery
Plot: 2. Row: G. Grave: 10.

Service number:

149635

Nationality:

South African

Thomas Young Wallace was born in Johannesburg. He joined the RAF on a short service commission in August 1939. With training completed, he was posted to 610 Squadron at Gravesend on June 19th 1940.
His commission was terminated on July 1st after he was court-martialled for being absent without leave for two days in June to visit a girl whom he met in London.
He was down-graded and became a Sergeant-Pilot and and was posted to 111 Squadron at Croydon from No1 Recruit Centre, Uxbridge on July 17th. From there on, he made several claims between second half of August until early September 1940, shooting down Me110's
Wallaces's Hurricane was severely damaged by a Me109 over the Channel on September 7th. He glided back to the English coast and baled out south of Ashford, slightly wounded. The Hurricane crashed on Gammons Farm, Newchurch.
Wallace damaged a He111 on November 3rd. Commissioned from Warrant Officer in March 1943, he commanded 609 Squadron from September 17th 1944 to November 11th, when he was shot down by flak over Dunkirk and killed. Wallace was 28.

Promotions:
October 23th, 1939: Acting Pilot Officer (probation)
July 1st, 1940: Commision terminated
March 10th, 1943: Sergeant
1943: Pilot Officer (probation)
September 10th, 1943: Flying Officer (probation/war sub)

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Sergeant

Unit:

No. 111 Squadron, Royal Air Force

Awarded on:

October 25th, 1940

Citation:
"In a period of three weeks, Sergeant Wallace has destroyed seven enemy aircraft and probably another four. On one occasion he became separated from his squadron and, single-handed, pursued a formation of enemy bombers back to the French coast. While in mid-channel he was attacked by six enemy fighters, and although his aircraft was severely damaged in the resulting battle, he shot down one enemy aircraft and damaged another. Sergeant Wallace has displayed conspicuous courage and fighting ability."

• Photo 1: Tom MacNeill
• - SHORES, CH. & WILLIAMS, C., Aces High, Grub Street, London, 1994.
  - The London Gazette Issue 34978 published on the 25 October 1940
  - The Battle of Britain Memorial in London
  - Commonwealth Wargraves Commission
  

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