CRASH OF A SPITFIRE
AT THE PARAP AIRFIELD,
DARWIN AREA, NT, AUSTRALIA
ON 17 JUNE 1945

Flying Officer Frederick Francis Thomas (155264) of 54 Squadron RAF was killed on the morning of 17 June 1945 when his Spitfire Mk. VIII that he was testing, crashed due to an engine fire. The cause of the fire was unknown. The aircraft was completely destroyed. This crash was at the Parap Airfield, the Darwin Civilian Airfield where 54 Squadron was based from 9 May 1944 until 30 October 1945.

Flying Officer Thomas was from Wakefield, Yorkshire, England and was a member of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. F/O Thomas had crashed a few days before (again due to mechanical failure caused by coolant leaks) and that aircraft was badly damaged. On 18 May 1945, F/O Thomas could not get his flaps down and had to make an emergency landing at the RAAF Airfield in Darwin.

Photo via Gavin Thomas

Flying Officer Frederick Francis Thomas (155264) of 54 Squadron RAF

Photo via Gavin Thomas

Flying Officer Fred Thomas in his Spitfire Mk V 1944

Flying Officer Thomas was buried at the Adelaide River War Cemetery south of Darwin on 18 June 1945. The service was conducted by Padres Carver and Squadron Leader Reeves of the RAAF.

Photo via Gavin Thomas