GB 0099 KCLMA Nelson, TR - NELSON, Sqn Ldr Thomas Robert (1915-1999)

1 file (0.01 cubic metres)

GB 0099 KCLMA Nelson, TR 1996-1997 Covers 1942-1997 Collection (Fonds) 1 file (0.01 cubic metres) Nelson , Thomas Robert , 1915-1999 , Squadron Leader
Born Leeds 1915 (Thomas Robert Fidgett), adopted mother's maiden name, Nelson, by deed poll, 1936; joined RAF, 1937, spent four years as a flying instructor in Britain and Rhodesia, posted to Middle East, 1941, and joined 37 Squadron, flying Wellington bombers, June 1942. Completed 22 operational flights; crash landed in Western Desert, approximately 50 miles south of Sollum, 18 Sep 1942; subsequently captured by German forces and transferred to Stalag Luft III at Sagen, Silesia, Germany; assisted with construction of three escape tunnels and with escape of 76 allied airmen, Mar 1944; recaptured and held in Gestapo prison at Gorlitz; commercial pilot with KLM, 1946-1952; accident investigator, Air Accident Investigation Branch, 1952-1957 and International Civil Aviation Organisation, 1957-1975; died 1999.

Photocopies presented by family, July 2000

Photocopies of articles by Thomas Robert Nelson on wartime service in RAF, 1942-44; 'A Desert Landing' describing crash landing in the Western Desert, 18 Sep 1942, and subsequent capture by German forces and 'Tom, Dick and Harry of Stalag Luft III' describing the construction of three escape tunnels from Stalag Luft III at Sagan, Germany, and the escape of eighty allied airmen, Mar 1944 (later filmed as The Great Escape ). Both articles were originally published in the KLM Pilots Association Magazine, 1948. With copies of correspondence and presscuttings.

Photocopies from scrapbook compiled by Mr Nelson, 1996-97

Open, subject to signature of reader's undertaking form.

Copies, subject to the condition of the original, may be supplied for research use only. Requests to publish original material should be submitted to the Trustees of the Liddell Hart Centre for Military Archives, attention of the Director of Archive Services.
English

Original scrapbook retained by family

Sources: papers and Times obituary. Compiled by Alan Kucia as part of the RSLP AIM 25 Project. Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997. Aug 2000

Photocopies presented by family, July 2000

Photocopies of articles by Thomas Robert Nelson on wartime service in RAF, 1942-44; 'A Desert Landing' describing crash landing in the Western Desert, 18 Sep 1942, and subsequent capture by German forces and 'Tom, Dick and Harry of Stalag Luft III' describing the construction of three escape tunnels from Stalag Luft III at Sagan, Germany, and the escape of eighty allied airmen, Mar 1944 (later filmed as The Great Escape ). Both articles were originally published in the KLM Pilots Association Magazine, 1948. With copies of correspondence and presscuttings.

Photocopies from scrapbook compiled by Mr Nelson, 1996-97

Open, subject to signature of reader's undertaking form.

Copies, subject to the condition of the original, may be supplied for research use only. Requests to publish original material should be submitted to the Trustees of the Liddell Hart Centre for Military Archives, attention of the Director of Archive Services.

• English

• Latin

English

Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.

• English