In July 1994, Thomson became the first Commander in Chief of the new NATO command, Allied Forces North-Western Europe.[2] However, only days after taking up this post, he became ill and was rushed to the military hospital at RAF Halton where he died aged 53.[2]
Familyedit
In 1972, Thomson married Jan Bishop; they had two daughters, and one daughter who died aged 3.[1]
Sir John Thomson Memorial Swordedit
The Sir John Thomson Memorial Sword commemorates his military life. Thomson was a leading member and strong supporter of the Air Squadron, and regularly flew cadets on Air Squadron Day and on Air Experience Flights (AEFs). The Sword is awarded each year to the cadet judged to be the Best in the Combined Cadet Force (RAF) (CCF). Cadets, who will commonly be the most senior in their schools contingent, will have to demonstrate the highest level of CCF commitment and involvement, during their time in the CCF and will also be highly regarded within their school/college. Nominations are called for in November of each year. Of those recommended by either their Contingent Commander or RAF Section Commander, six would be chosen for a final interview with wing commander CCF in either late January or early February; as a result of which a winner would be chosen. Results are made public in late March, and the Sword is awarded at the Air Squadron Day celebrations at the end of the summer term. All six finalists, who would all attend the parade on Air Squadron Day, would be awarded a Geoffrey de Havilland Flying Foundation Medal for CCF Achievement in recognition of getting that far.[3]
Other honoursedit
On 10 July 2014, a wreath-laying ceremony was held at the United States Air Force Memorial in Arlington, Virginia, to commemorate the 20th anniversary of his passing, and to honour Thomson's life and service to the Royal Air Force.[4]
Referencesedit
^ abcArmitage, Michael (13 July 1994). "Obituary: Air Chief Marshal Sir John Thomson". The Independent. Archived from the original on 13 June 2022. Retrieved 26 July 2009.
^ abcdeAir of Authority – A History of RAF Organisation – Air Chief Marshal Sir John Thomson
Commander-in-Chief Allied Forces North West Europe 1994
Succeeded by
Sir Richard Johns
December 02, 2023
john, thomson, officer, chief, marshal, charles, john, thomson, june, 1941, july, 1994, usually, john, thomson, senior, officer, royal, force, charles, john, thomsonborn, 1941, june, 1941died10, july, 1994, 1994, aged, halton, hospitalallegianceunited, kingdom. Air Chief Marshal Sir Charles John Thomson GCB CBE AFC 7 June 1941 10 July 1994 usually Sir John Thomson was a senior officer in the Royal Air Force RAF Sir Charles John ThomsonBorn 1941 06 07 7 June 1941Died10 July 1994 1994 07 10 aged 53 RAF Halton HospitalAllegianceUnited KingdomService wbr branchRoyal Air ForceYears of service1959 1994RankAir Chief MarshalCommands heldAllied Forces North Western Europe 1994 Strike Command 1992 94 Support Command 1991 92 No 1 Group 1987 89 RAF Bruggen 1981 84 No 41 Squadron 1976 79 Battles warsAden EmergencyAwardsKnight Grand Cross of the Order of the BathCommander of the Order of the British EmpireAir Force Cross Contents 1 RAF service 2 Family 3 Sir John Thomson Memorial Sword 4 Other honours 5 ReferencesRAF service editEducated at Campbell College in Belfast 1 Thomson entered Royal Air Force College Cranwell in 1959 and was commissioned into the Royal Air Force in 1962 1 Thomson was appointed Officer Commanding OC No 41 Squadron in 1976 Personal Staff Officer to the Chief of the Air Staff in 1979 and Station Commander at RAF Bruggen in 1981 2 He went on to be Director of Defence Concepts at the Ministry of Defence MoD in 1985 Air Officer Commanding AOC No 1 Group in 1987 and Assistant Chief of the Air Staff in 1989 2 He became Air Officer Commanding in Chief AOCinC at Support Command in 1991 and Air Officer Commanding in Chief at Strike Command in 1992 2 In July 1994 Thomson became the first Commander in Chief of the new NATO command Allied Forces North Western Europe 2 However only days after taking up this post he became ill and was rushed to the military hospital at RAF Halton where he died aged 53 2 Family editIn 1972 Thomson married Jan Bishop they had two daughters and one daughter who died aged 3 1 Sir John Thomson Memorial Sword editThe Sir John Thomson Memorial Sword commemorates his military life Thomson was a leading member and strong supporter of the Air Squadron and regularly flew cadets on Air Squadron Day and on Air Experience Flights AEFs The Sword is awarded each year to the cadet judged to be the Best in the Combined Cadet Force RAF CCF Cadets who will commonly be the most senior in their schools contingent will have to demonstrate the highest level of CCF commitment and involvement during their time in the CCF and will also be highly regarded within their school college Nominations are called for in November of each year Of those recommended by either their Contingent Commander or RAF Section Commander six would be chosen for a final interview with wing commander CCF in either late January or early February as a result of which a winner would be chosen Results are made public in late March and the Sword is awarded at the Air Squadron Day celebrations at the end of the summer term All six finalists who would all attend the parade on Air Squadron Day would be awarded a Geoffrey de Havilland Flying Foundation Medal for CCF Achievement in recognition of getting that far 3 Other honours editOn 10 July 2014 a wreath laying ceremony was held at the United States Air Force Memorial in Arlington Virginia to commemorate the 20th anniversary of his passing and to honour Thomson s life and service to the Royal Air Force 4 References edit a b c Armitage Michael 13 July 1994 Obituary Air Chief Marshal Sir John Thomson The Independent Archived from the original on 13 June 2022 Retrieved 26 July 2009 a b c d e Air of Authority A History of RAF Organisation Air Chief Marshal Sir John Thomson CCF section permanent dead link of Air Training Corps website Home Military officesPreceded byMichael Simmons Air Officer Commanding No 1 Group RAF1987 1989 Succeeded byAndrew WilsonPreceded byMichael Simmons Assistant Chief of the Air Staff1989 1991 Succeeded byTimothy GardenPreceded bySir Michael Graydon Commander in Chief RAF Support Command1991 1992 Succeeded bySir John WillisPreceded bySir Michael Graydon Commander in Chief RAF Strike Command1992 1994 Succeeded bySir Richard JohnsNew titleCommand established Commander in Chief Allied Forces North West Europe1994 Succeeded bySir Richard Johns Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title John Thomson RAF officer amp oldid 1173181693, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
