Thomas, Roy Dudley Clifton
Personal Information
Rank | F/O |
Forename(s) | Roy Dudley Clifton |
Surname | Thomas |
Gender | M |
Age | 30 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 03-05-1943 |
Next of Kin | Son of Sydney and Mary Thomas, of Gretton, Northamptonshire. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Lockheed Ventura II |
Serial Number | AJ209 |
Markings | EG-V |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | Netherlands |
Burial/Memorial Place | Amsterdam New Eastern Cemetery |
Grave Reference | Plot 69. Row C. Coll. grave 2. |
Epitaph |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 252 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | 108829 |
Service | Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve |
Group | 2 |
Squadron | 487 (New Zealand) |
Trade | WOp/AG |
Country of Origin | United Kingdom |
Miscellaneous Information
Operation Rodeo 212 was a diversionary raid by 11 Group, on Vlissingen. It cost 487 Squadron 11 Venturas |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1935/14 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1935/13 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 03-05-1943 |
End Date | 03-05-1943 |
Takeoff Station | Methwold |
Day/Night Raid | Day |
Operation | Operation Ramrod 16- to attack a power station on the northern outskirts of Amsterdam. An exceptional number of experienced fighter pilots were present at Schipol airfield for a conference and they were scrambled following the earlier Spitfire sweep of the area. Nine of the aircraft were shot down, leaving a sole Ventura to press on and bomb the target (since one had turned back early). The last one was then shot down, meaning a loss rate of 90.9%- the highest of the war. S/L Trent, the pilot of the Ventura that pressed on, was awarded a VC for his bravery. |
Reason for Loss | Broke up in the air and crashed near to the target |