Wing Commander Ronald Thomson, D.F.C.

Wing Commander Ronald Roumieu Thomson, D.F.C., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. He was a Pilot with 114 Squadron R.A.F. and was killed on an Air Operation in Italy on 19th February 1945, aged 30. He had been born in Menstrie and was the son of Albert and Doris Roumieu Thomson of Nenthorn House, Nenthorn and husband of Marion Thomson  ( M.A. Cantab ) of Nenthorn and is buried in Udine War Cemetery, Italy.  He was commissioned Pilot Officer in February 1941, promoted to Flight Lieutenant in June 1943 and Squadron Leader in February 1944. He was awarded his Distinguished Flying Cross in March 1944. His aircraft was on a reconnaissance mission when it was hit by ground fire and crashed north of Venice. Three crew died and one survived to become a P.O.W. The Squadron flew the Douglas Boston medium bomber from Falconara in Italy against German lines of communications and airfields. His Headstone is inscribed ” In The Way Of Righteousness Is Life; And In The Pathway Thereof There Is No Death “.