Rushden Echo & Argus, 6^th November 1942

D.F.C. for Higham Group Captain

THE King has been pleased to approve the following award in recognition of gallantry displayed in flying operations against the enemy:

D.F.C.—Group Captain Donald Leslie Thomson. This officer has participated recently in several bombing sorties, all of which were successful. He is a most inspiring leader whose skill has contributed materially to the high standard of efficiency of the unit which he commands.

Group Captain Thomson was born in India in 1903. His home is stated to be at Higham Ferrers. He was educated at Dulwich College. He was a cadet at Cranwell from 1921 until he was commissioned in the R.A.F. in 1923. He served on flying duties and as test pilot in India and in this country.

In 1938, as squadron leader, he was in command of No. 84 Squadron in Iraq. He reached his present rank in December 1941.

Higham Officer Wins D.F.C. - Fine Service with the Lancasters
F/O Donald Braybrook
It was announced on Saturday that the Distinguished Flying Cross has been awarded to a Higham Ferrers man, Flying Officer Donald Ernest Braybrook, R.A.F., only son of Mr and Mrs E W Braybrook, of 40, Lancaster-street.

The award was made in recognition of many successful operations against the enemy in which he displayed high skill fortitude and devotion to duty.

Flying Officer Braybrook is 21 years of age, and has had three years’ service in the R.A.F. Ay Christmas he completed his “30 ops” as a member of a Lancaster crew, and he has since been on instructing.

In the early part of 1942 he went to Canada for training, returning at the end of the year and receiving his commission. His promotion to the rank of Flying Officer took place in August.

An old boy of Wellingborough Grammar School, he joined the R.A.F. from the Rushden branch of Messrs Boots, the chemists. Keen on swimming, he is a good sportsman generally, and has been connected with Higham Ferrers Parish Church and the Boy Scouts. He was born at Wellingborough.

“Halifax” Pilot Wins D.F.C. - Higham Man Who Learned Flying at Sywell
Flt-Lt Kilsby
Twice mentioned in dispatches for his fine work in connection with raids on Germany, Flight Lieut. A E (Ted) Kilsby, R.A.F.V.R., of Higham Ferrers, now has a further distinction in the award of the “immediate” D.F.C. His parents, Mr and Mrs H Kilsby, of 50 North End, received this information from him last Friday, and although no details are as yet available they expect to receive them shortly.

Flight Lieut. Kilsby, aged 26, joined the R.A.F.V.R. in pre-war days, learning to fly at Sywell. He completed one batch of operational duties, followed this with two years as an instructor, and is now well on the way in his second batch as the pilot of a Halifax. He was mentioned in dispatches in June 1942, and later in January 1943.

An old boy of the Rushden Intermediate School, he worked at Messrs John White’s Newton-road factory at Rushden, and was a member of the Query Motor Club and follower of sport in general.

Wife at Rushden
Nearly two years ago he married Miss Verna Penn, who resides in St Margarets-avenue, Rushden. His younger brother is a cadet in the R.A.F., training as a wireless operator, and his sister is a corporal in the W.A.A.F. [and Bar]