Thistleton , Hugh (H)

Surname: Thistleton Initial: H. Full names: Hugh Date of Birth: 14 February 1924 Rank: Lieutenant War: World War II Unit: SAAF seconded to 55 Squadron RAF, Central Mediterranean Forces. C.O. Wing Commander L.E. Leon Military No.: 542684V Details of death: Year: 1944 Date: 29 July Place: Northern Italy - area of mission Urbine, Rimini, Florence, Imola Age: 20 Grave image: no digital image: the grave is Grave 5 Plot 1 Row B in the Forli War Cemetery in Italy. Awards: Italy Star. His parents were give a plaque of remembrance by the Union Government. Story: he was the only son of his parents. He was an observer in a bomber that flew from an unnamed base on the night of 29 July 1944 to bomb road traffic in the areas of Urbine, Rimini, Imola and Florence in Northern Italy. His plane did not return and he was reported missing on the morning of 30 July 1944. The telegram reporting that he was not just missing but actually had died came on 19 March 1945. In 1958 his parents, having finally scraped the money together, set off from the then Jan Smuts Airport in Johannesburg to visit his grave. Their plane crashed and they were both killed. Well, John, that's pretty much all I know. I have all the official telegrams and letters, a letter from Wing Commander Leon, and the Italy Star ribbon Hugh was awarded posthumously. Thank you once again for your website - it's a great service making sure that all the lives laid down through the centuries are not forgotten. Kindest regards Lois Lois du Toit