Morris, Thomas Charles

Date of birth:: October 25th, 1911 (Eastbourne-East Sussex/England, Great Britain)
Service number:: 562569
Nationality:: British

Biography

Thomas Morris enlisted into the RAF as an aircraft apprentice at Halton in August 1928 and was trained as an electrician. Subsequently he was posted to Upper Heyford then India and Karachi.
In June 1935 he re-mustered as a Pilot, receiving his pilot's wings in July, 1936 and was posted to No. 29 Squadron based at Amriya. The squadron returned to the UK in 1936 after which he was deployed to No. 151 Squadron and later No. 80 Squadron. Equipped with Gladiators, the squadron was moved to Ismailia, Egypt. Morris was one of four pilots. involved in the support of the ground forces against Arab rebels. The squadran partially was re-equipped with Hurricanes which formd the nucleus of No. 240 Squadron
During the desert war on December 12th, 1940 he shot down two Italian SM.79 bombers and on January 4th, 1941 he shot down a CR.42.
In september 1941 he had flown 100 operational sorties after which he was posted to No. 71 OTU based near Khartoum. After six months he returned to the UK where for 12 months he was a pilot instructor and subsequently No 8 Gunnery School.
On the morning of September 26th, 1943 he crash landed in Martinet HN939 during a low-lever gunnery excercise.He survived the crash but died 24 hours later from secondary shock.

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Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Warrant Officer
Unit:: No. 274 Squadron, Royal Air Force
Awarded on:: August 22nd, 1941

Citation:
"This airman has been actively engaged on operations in the Western Desert since the beginning of the campaign against Italy. He has taken part in 30 attacks aerdromes and transport and has destroyed at least three enemy aircraft in the air. He has also carried out several reconnaissances which have been of great value to the Army. At all times his keenness and skill have set an excellent example to less experienced pilots."

And from the recommendation:
"He has displayed great courae and initiative whilst taking part in over 30 ground strafing operations of enemy aerodrome and transport and he has destroyed at least three aircraft in the air. He has also carried out several reconnaissances which have been of great value to the Army. At all times his keenness and skill have set an excellent example to the less experienced pilots."