Sergeant James W R Thomson

James Williamson Ross Thomson was born in the Union of South Africa and lived in Aberdeenshire. He enlisted in the Royal Artillery and volunteered for airborne forces.

Sergeant Thomson successfully completed parachute training at RAF Ringway on course number 43 which lasted from 20 November 1942 to 2 January 1943. He also completed Glider Pilot training and was posted to F Squadron, 2nd Wing, The Glider Pilot Regiment, and took part in Operation Market Garden (Arnhem).

Sgt Thomson’s body was recovered by the Germans from the river Rhine near Amerongen on 3 October 1944 and buried in Rhenen General Cemetery (Achterbergsestraatweg). It is assumed that he drowned during the withdrawal, aged 23, between 25 and 26 September 1944.

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