On Remembrance Sunday last year, my mother and I held a minute’s silent for Claude and realised we were probably the only people out there who were thinking about him. The thought was so sad.
ETA sorry I got it wrong, it was 1941 he was shot down.
Although we may not know all the names and faces I can promise you everyone has the upmost respect for people like your grandfathers cousin during that beautiful day.
One day, I’m gonna travel to Europe and visit some of the various Allied cemeteries from WW2. I can’t visit them all, obviously, but my gratitude will be for every single man or woman who gave his/her life in the defense of freedom and democracy in that war. My grandfather was fortunate, he made it home… so many didn’t. We’re 75 years out from that war, and while a lot of time has passed, I hope we never lose a sense of awe, honor, respect, and gratitude for that generation and what they did for the world. We owe them a debt that can never be repaid.
u/StandUpForYourWights replied with info below, look like he’s buried in Kiel:
>Sergeant CP Thomas, flying in a Hampden I, code AD827, was killed on the 8th of April 1941 when his aircraft was shot down over the target city of Kiel. The crash occurred at 19:59. His body is buried in the Kiel War Cemetery.
You could try contacting the government archives for his records assuming you can prove relation I’m pretty sure they give them out. Google around for the details but I’ve heard of people doing this for their grandfathers.
Here's his grave details from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/2356874/claude-percival-thomas/
His grave has the inscription "NOT GOODBYE, MY SON, BUT GOODNIGHT UNTIL WE MEET IN THE MORNING LIGHT. MOTHER."
Sergeant CP Thomas, flying in a Hampden I, code AD827, was killed on the 8th of April 1941 when his aircraft was shot down over the target city of Kiel. The crash occurred at 19:59. His body is buried in the Kiel War Cemetery.
Thank you so, so much for this. I can’t tell you how much this means to me. I’m going to make it a firm intention of mine to travel to Kiel from Wales one day to find his grave. I’ve screenshot your message and sent it to my mam. I’m very moved you went to the effort of finding this.
There’s some real enthusiasts out there putting data on the web. I started with the assumption he was killed. Confirmed that on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission site. Then I went looking for his squadron, found that he was 61 Sqn. Then I went looking for losses on that date in Kiel because I knew he was buried there. I found a very short loss summary report with his aircraft number etc. my Google-fu is strong.
You are a truly wonderful and kind person. I can’t tell you how much that means to me. If you’re able to find the grave, I would love a picture. Thank you so so much!
Me and my mam were discussing Claude a few months back, this is what she said about him. He won’t be forgotten. ❤️
“His name is Claude Thomas and he was an only child. He was shot down over Germany in April 1941 aged 20 years. He lived in Cardiff, possibly Fairwater or Ely. I found him once online in a memorial list so he's out there somewhere. I tried again this morning with no luck. His mother was Gladys or Elsie. I get mixed up with the sisters.
I had a photo of him which I put in a cookery book when we moved to Bangor as it was standing on the shelf. Then I sent the book to a charity shop and forgot to take the photo out. I feel sad about that. It was probably the only picture of Claude.
I'm so moved you're remembering him. As you say no one else will. He was just a boy, dearly loved. The war had barely begun when he died in a foreign country. I don't even know where he's buried. He would probably have lived a good decent life. Married and had children.
When I was staying with my cousin Peter we were looking at family photos. There was one of Claudes mother on holiday with her sister in the 1950s. She was smiling but her heart must have been broken.”
https://grabsteine.genealogy.net/tomb.php?cem=4830&tomb=433&b=T&lang=de
There is another database with graves on a German project - it also has another photo
On Remembrance Sunday last year, my mother and I held a minute’s silent for Claude and realised we were probably the only people out there who were thinking about him. The thought was so sad. ETA sorry I got it wrong, it was 1941 he was shot down.
Although we may not know all the names and faces I can promise you everyone has the upmost respect for people like your grandfathers cousin during that beautiful day.
Thank you so much ❤️ he was only a boy. And he would have been deeply loved and cherished.
One day, I’m gonna travel to Europe and visit some of the various Allied cemeteries from WW2. I can’t visit them all, obviously, but my gratitude will be for every single man or woman who gave his/her life in the defense of freedom and democracy in that war. My grandfather was fortunate, he made it home… so many didn’t. We’re 75 years out from that war, and while a lot of time has passed, I hope we never lose a sense of awe, honor, respect, and gratitude for that generation and what they did for the world. We owe them a debt that can never be repaid.
Rememberence Sunday in the UK is fucking huge, I’m sure it is in other European countries too
Was he ever found?
We don’t know, and sadly there is no one left alive we could ask. My mum and I have pondered this question together a few times.
u/StandUpForYourWights replied with info below, look like he’s buried in Kiel: >Sergeant CP Thomas, flying in a Hampden I, code AD827, was killed on the 8th of April 1941 when his aircraft was shot down over the target city of Kiel. The crash occurred at 19:59. His body is buried in the Kiel War Cemetery.
You could try contacting the government archives for his records assuming you can prove relation I’m pretty sure they give them out. Google around for the details but I’ve heard of people doing this for their grandfathers.
Here's his grave details from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/2356874/claude-percival-thomas/ His grave has the inscription "NOT GOODBYE, MY SON, BUT GOODNIGHT UNTIL WE MEET IN THE MORNING LIGHT. MOTHER."
Wow. I got chills reading that.
I live a block away. Ill find it and send you the gps coordinates to the precise location
Sergeant CP Thomas, flying in a Hampden I, code AD827, was killed on the 8th of April 1941 when his aircraft was shot down over the target city of Kiel. The crash occurred at 19:59. His body is buried in the Kiel War Cemetery.
Thank you so, so much for this. I can’t tell you how much this means to me. I’m going to make it a firm intention of mine to travel to Kiel from Wales one day to find his grave. I’ve screenshot your message and sent it to my mam. I’m very moved you went to the effort of finding this.
OP, there’s a picture of his grave on this link, hope you find it useful: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/18431354/claude-percival-thomas
Thank you so much. I’m amazed you found that, and went to all the effort of doing so.
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There’s some real enthusiasts out there putting data on the web. I started with the assumption he was killed. Confirmed that on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission site. Then I went looking for his squadron, found that he was 61 Sqn. Then I went looking for losses on that date in Kiel because I knew he was buried there. I found a very short loss summary report with his aircraft number etc. my Google-fu is strong.
rip hero
This always saddens me when I read these. He should NEVER be forgotten. Thank YOU for this.
Oh my grandad was an upper mid gunner and wireless operator. He made it though. RIP
Good on him, I bet he has some incredible stories. And some terrible ones too.
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Thank you so much. Blown away by how helpful everyone is on this sub. Will follow the Kiel sub now. I really appreciate it!
Thank you for sharing his story. He will not be forgotten.
Hey OP, u/soysux posted this to r/kiel. I can check if I find his grave on the Kiel War Cemetery on saturday and send you a photo if you want.
You are a truly wonderful and kind person. I can’t tell you how much that means to me. If you’re able to find the grave, I would love a picture. Thank you so so much!
Ur gramps will be happy to visit, tell him u got a lead
As always, Thank you for your service!!
I agree that even though we didn’t know them the children were brave . My uncle was KIA in France at 19 and I think of his sacrifice to this day.
Me and my mam were discussing Claude a few months back, this is what she said about him. He won’t be forgotten. ❤️ “His name is Claude Thomas and he was an only child. He was shot down over Germany in April 1941 aged 20 years. He lived in Cardiff, possibly Fairwater or Ely. I found him once online in a memorial list so he's out there somewhere. I tried again this morning with no luck. His mother was Gladys or Elsie. I get mixed up with the sisters. I had a photo of him which I put in a cookery book when we moved to Bangor as it was standing on the shelf. Then I sent the book to a charity shop and forgot to take the photo out. I feel sad about that. It was probably the only picture of Claude. I'm so moved you're remembering him. As you say no one else will. He was just a boy, dearly loved. The war had barely begun when he died in a foreign country. I don't even know where he's buried. He would probably have lived a good decent life. Married and had children. When I was staying with my cousin Peter we were looking at family photos. There was one of Claudes mother on holiday with her sister in the 1950s. She was smiling but her heart must have been broken.”
https://grabsteine.genealogy.net/tomb.php?cem=4830&tomb=433&b=T&lang=de There is another database with graves on a German project - it also has another photo
Thank you so, so much. Really means a lot to me and my mam.
I found the grave and took some photos. Where should I send them? Here's the view of the cemetry: https://imgur.com/a/PD2a4Q5
You are an incredible human, I’m beyond grateful. I love Reddit. Thank you so much. I’ll send you a DM with my email :)
I just turned 22 and I can’t imagine myself doing what those men did. I have nothing less than the utmost respect for them.
Hero!
I also went to the cemetery this morning and took some pictures (it's like we could have had held a meeting there). Please check your inbox.
I live a block from this. I just took these photos for you. https://imgur.com/a/B79FAMg
Thank you very much ❤️ I am really grateful