Thomas Halford Knighton

Thomas Halford joined the RAFVR in 1938.

IBCC: Whitney serial number Z6556. Role: Observer. Took off from Dishforth at 18:56 hours on 3 April 1941 for a raid over Brest. The aircraft crashed at Trebeurden, France.

Initially reported missing, his death was confirmed a short while later. He was buried in Trebeurden Communal Cemetery, France (Grave 4). Five casualties are buried in this Cemetery (CWGC).

CWGC Additional information: Son of William and Laura Emma Knighton, of Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. B.A.

CWGC headstone, personal inscription: 'Sweet is the memory of departed worth Mother, Father and family'

Mansfield Chronicle Advertiser, 11 April 1941:

'Mansfield Airman Missing Former Master at Local School. Mr & Mrs W Knighton of Marengo, 41 Cromford Avenue, Manfield received news last Saturday that their youngest son, Sgt-Obs Thomas Halford Knighton aged 26 of the RAF was reported missing. He became a scholar of High Oakham School in 1927, and his progress through the school was marked with high distinction. Twice awarded the Duke of Portland's prize for the candidated to sit a public examination. In 1930 he was granted a bursary to attend Henry Mellish School in Hucknall and then became a student at Nottingham University where he gained a degree in Arts. Served at High Oakham School as post graduate student, he was appointed as Art Master. The crisis of September 1938 caused him to join RAFVR and was called up as a pilot at the outbreak of war. After an accident he was given a discharge, but reapplied for re-admission and accepted as an Observer.'

'Mansfield Airman Buried in France. The parents of Sgt Observer Thomas Halford Knighton of 41 Cromford Avenue, Mansfield have received information from the International Red Cross that their son, who was reported missing, believed killed, was killed in early April and was buried in Brittany. Sgt Observer Knighton, who was 26, became Art Master at High Oakham School, Mansfield in 1937, after receiving an education at High Oakham School, the Henry Mellish School, Nottingham, and Nottingham University College where he took his B.A.

'He was a member of a Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve before the war and was a close friend of Sergt Pilot Richard W Brewin of Mansfield, whose death on active service was reported 10 days ago.'

Richard W Brewin is commemorated on memorials at Pleasly Hill, Queen Elizabeth School and St Augustine Church and in Mansfield District Council's Book of Remembrance.