Thomas Traill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Thomas Cathcart Traill
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| Born | 6 August 1899 Argentina |
| Died | 1 October 1973 (aged 74) |
| Buried |
Saint Margaret's Church, Heveningham, Suffolk, England
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| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
Royal Navy (1914–17) British Army (1917–18) Royal Air Force (1918–54) |
| Years of service | 1914–1954 |
| Rank | Air Vice Marshal |
| Commands held | No. 19 Group RAF (1952–54) No. 12 Group RAF (1946–49) No. 83 Group RAF (1945–46) RAF Middleton St. George (1941) RAF Helwan (1938) No. 14 Squadron RAF (1935–38) |
| Battles/wars | First World War Second World War |
| Awards | Companion of the Order of the Bath Officer of the Order of the British Empire Distinguished Flying Cross Mentioned in Despatches (2) Officer of the Legion of Merit (United States) |
Thomas Cathcart Traill was a high-ranking officer in the Royal Air Force (RAF). He was born on August 6, 1899, and passed away on October 1, 1973.
He started his military journey in the Royal Navy as a young officer. Later, he joined the Royal Flying Corps in 1917. During the First World War, he became a flying ace, which means he shot down at least five enemy aircraft. He was credited with eight victories. After the war, he stayed with the newly formed Royal Air Force. By the time he retired in 1954, he had reached the impressive rank of Air Vice Marshal.
Contents
Early Life and Training
Thomas Cathcart Traill was born in Argentina on August 6, 1899. He went to special schools for future naval officers. These were the Royal Naval Colleges at Osborne and Dartmouth.
First World War Adventures
Traill joined the Royal Navy on August 2, 1914. He was almost 15 years old. He served on a ship called HMS Lord Nelson during the Gallipoli campaign.
Later, Traill moved to the Royal Flying Corps to become a pilot. He finished his training and became a temporary second lieutenant on October 11, 1917. He was then sent to No. 20 Squadron RFC. There, he flew a Bristol F.2 Fighter plane.
When the Royal Air Force was created on April 1, 1918, Traill was promoted to lieutenant. On September 28, 1918, he became a temporary captain. He was put in charge of a group of planes as a flight commander.
Traill became a flying ace by winning eight aerial battles. Other flying aces sometimes flew with him as his gunner or observer. In one fight on July 2, 1918, his observer, Percy Griffith Jones, warned him about a German fighter. Traill quickly ducked, and the bullet missed him but sadly killed Jones. Another observer was shot in the leg. After that, Leslie William Burbidge became Traill's observer.
On October 23, after Traill had won his eighth victory, something amazing happened. His plane crashed into another plane in his group while flying at 7,000 feet. Part of the Bristol F.2 Fighter's wing broke off. The plane started to spin out of control. Traill quickly told Burbidge to climb out onto the opposite wing. This helped balance the plane, and Traill fought to regain control. They crash-landed, and Burbidge was thrown forward, but Traill was not hurt. The plane was saved! Both men received the Distinguished Flying Cross for their bravery.
Traill's award message said:
An officer of marked skill and bravery, who has shot down three enemy machines and seriously damaged a fourth. On 23rd October his machine accidentally collided with one of ours at a height of 7,-000 feet, and a part of the left plane was carried away, the machine being thereby rendered out of control. With great presence of mind Captain Traill ordered his observer to climb out and so directed him to balance the machine which enabled him to obtain partial control. Displaying rare skill and determination, he managed to land his damaged machine safely.
Traill's Air Victories
Here is a list of the enemy aircraft Thomas Cathcart Traill shot down or forced to land:
| No. | Date/time | Aircraft | Foe | Result | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 29 May 1918 @ 1840 hours |
Bristol F.2 Fighter serial number C856 |
Fokker Triplane | Driven down out of control | West of Armentières, France | Observer: Percy Griffith Jones |
| 2 | 30 June 1918 @ 0730 hours |
Bristol F.2 Fighter s/n C938 |
Albatros D.V | Driven down out of control | North of Comines (in Belgium) | Observer: Percy Griffith Jones |
| 3 | 2 July 1918 @ 0840 hours |
Bristol F.2 Fighter s/n B1344 |
Fokker D.VII | Destroyed | Southeast of Gheluvelt | Observer: Percy Griffith Jones ☠ |
| 4 | 29 July 1918 @ 1955 hours |
Bristol F.2 Fighter s/n E2452 |
Fokker D.VII | Driven down out of control | Gheluwe | Observer: Richard Gordon-Bennett |
| 5 | 24 September 1918 @ 1600 hours |
Bristol F.2 Fighter s/n E2252 |
Fokker D.VII | Driven down out of control | West of Busigny, France | Observer: Richard Gordon-Bennett |
| 6 | 25 September 1918 @ 1820 hours |
Bristol F.2 Fighter s/n E2252 |
Fokker D.VII | Destroyed | Northeast of Saint-Quentin, France | Observer: Richard Gordon-Bennett |
| 7 | 29 September 1918 @ 1025 hours |
Bristol F.2 Fighter s/n E2370 |
Fokker D.VII | Destroyed | North of Saint-Quentin, France | Observer: Leslie William Burbidge |
| 8 | 23 October 1918 @ 1520 hours |
Bristol F.2 Fighter s/n E2403 |
Fokker D.VII | Destroyed | West of Aulnoye-Aymeries, France | Observer: Leslie William Burbidge |
Between the World Wars
After the First World War, Traill stayed in the military. In 1919, he became an assistant air attaché in Washington D.C., USA. During this time, he joined a "barn-storming" flying circus. This group traveled around the Mid West of the USA. They put on flying shows to help raise money for war bonds. They performed 28 shows at various places like race courses and sports fields. Large crowds came to watch, as schools and businesses often closed to encourage people to attend.
Traill returned to Britain in 1920 to work on experimental projects. He then went to the University of Cambridge in 1922 and earned a Master of Arts degree in 1924. After that, he had different military jobs in Britain and even served in Iraq. In 1933, he attended the RAF Staff College.
He was promoted to squadron leader in 1934. In 1935, he took command of No. 14 Squadron RAF. Then, in 1938, he commanded RAF Helwan in Egypt. He was promoted again to wing commander that same year.
Second World War Service
In May 1940, Traill became an assistant senior air staff officer at Bomber Command Headquarters. In July 1940, he was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire. He was promoted to Group Captain in December 1940.
The next year, he commanded RAF Middleton St. George. Later, he became the senior air staff officer (SASO) for No. 242 Group. As part of this group's work in North Africa, Traill was promoted to acting air commodore in February 1943. He was recognized for his service there in June 1943.
In 1944, Traill became the director of air tactics. He also worked as the RAF's link officer to the American United States Army Air Forces' Eighth Air Force. He received an American award, the Legion of Merit, in April 1944. He was recognized again for his service in June 1944.
After the Wars
On September 1, 1945, Traill became an acting air vice-marshal. He was given command of No. 83 Group RAF. In May 1946, he moved to command No. 12 Group RAF.
He was given another important award, the Officer of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath, in January 1948. One year later, his rank of air vice-marshal was made permanent.
After working as director-general of personnel starting in 1949, he took command again in February 1952. This time, he led No. 19 (Reconnaissance) Group. Because of this role, he also became the air commander for a NATO area in 1953.
Later Life
Traill retired from the military on September 21, 1954. He had served for 40 years. He passed away on October 1, 1973. He was buried at Saint Margaret Churchyard in Heveningham, Suffolk, England.
