Thomas Elliott (RAF officer) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Thomas Elliott
Born	17 March 1898 Gateshead, England
Died	Unknown
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Service/branch	British Army  Royal Air Force
Years of service	1916–1919
Rank	Second Lieutenant
Unit	No. 62 Squadron Royal Flying Corps, No. 62 Squadron RAF

Thomas Elliott was a brave British soldier who fought in World War I. He was born on March 17, 1898. We don't know when he passed away. Thomas was a 'flying ace,' which means he was very skilled at shooting down enemy planes from the sky. He achieved 11 victories while flying as an observer in a special plane called the Bristol F.2 Fighter. Most of his victories happened when George Everard Gibbons was the pilot. Thomas Elliott was part of the Royal Air Force's 62 Squadron. Later, he taught others how to be good at air gunnery.

Early Life and Family

Thomas Elliott was born in Gateshead, England, on March 17, 1898. His parents were Thomas Herbert Elliott and Elizabeth. In 1901, when he was three years old, he lived with his family at 9 Affleck Street in Gateshead. They were still living there ten years later.

Thomas had one sibling, but he was the only child who lived past childhood. His father worked as an agent for a company that made lead. Before the war, Thomas worked as a clerk for a company called Raine and Company in Newcastle.

Military Service in World War I

Thomas Elliott flew in the Bristol F.2b Fighters with No. 62 Squadron.

Seven of Thomas Elliott's victories were against the Fokker D.VII plane.

Thomas Elliott joined the military in April 1916. On March 12, 1918, he officially became an officer in the Royal Flying Corps's 62 Squadron. This squadron had just moved to France. Thomas arrived shortly after his new unit started flying missions from an airfield called Serny.

Thomas Elliott achieved 11 aerial victories while with the 62 Squadron. All of these victories happened when he was flying in a Bristol F.2b Fighter. Nine of his victories were with George Everard Gibbons as the pilot. George Gibbons was also a very successful pilot, with 17 victories. He received several important awards for his bravery.

Before Thomas, another observer named Sidney Arthur William Knights flew with George Gibbons. But Sidney Knights had to go to the hospital in July 1918. After that, he was sent to a flight school and then to an armaments school. So, Thomas Elliott took his place as George Gibbons' observer.

In September 1918, Thomas Elliott was moved to the No. 1 School of Air Gunnery. Here, he became an instructor, teaching other soldiers how to use guns from planes. He left the military on February 21, 1919.

Thomas Elliott's Aerial Victories

Thomas Elliott achieved his victories while flying as an observer. An observer's job was to spot enemy planes and operate the machine gun. Here is a list of his successful missions: