P/O W.E. Thompson, crew 120 (28 missions)

My father P/O William E. Thompson was born on the 12th Oct. 1923. As a young man he was employed with Canadian Airways, obtaining his private pilot license at Connie Johansson Field prior to enlisting in the R.C.A.F. he spent many hours flying out of Stevenson Field, which later to became Winnipeg International Airport.

William Thompson (center) with two friends - unknown,

Gunnery School, MacDonald Manitoba, 1943

Once in the RCAF Mr. Thompson was trained in the British Commonwealth Air Training Program (BCATP) as a tail gunner and upon completion went overseas, like many thousands of young men from Canada, United States, and Commonwealth Countries.

William Thompson with his girlfriend Betty Lillian Martin, 1940. They would be married on 6 Oct. 1945 in Winnipeg.

William's father - Percy, Aunt - Nellie Thompson, brother – Don, and his mother - Elizabeth. Don was with the University of Manitoba (metallurgy research) during the war years for the Government.

After the war, Dad was honourably discharged as were thousands, a few years after the war in the late 1940’s he re-enlisted in the RCAF and was on standby for Korea. He continued to serve until his retirement at Bogotville, PQ in 1966.

Sitting on a present for Old Adolf; F/O C.K. Chapman (Left) and P/O W.E. Thompson, Croft

Theses two airmen continued to be very good friends after the war, Mr. Chapman passed away in 2008.

My father was then employed with Bristol Aero Space, for a period of about 20 years. At the turn of the century his health deteriorated and he passed away on September 27, 2000.

P/O William Thompson, rear-airgunner

William Elmer Thompson served his country during peace and war; he is truly missed by all his family and friends.

RCAF Memorial plaque at CFB Winnipeg / 2005 WW II Vets, P/O W.E. Thompson

A gracious thanks to Glen Thompson (son) for providing photo and written material, there are a number of color photos pertaining to this crew in other galleries.