Collection NELSON, TR - NELSON, Sqn Ldr Thomas Robert (1915-1999)

Key Information

Reference code

NELSON, TR

Title

NELSON, Sqn Ldr Thomas Robert (1915-1999)

Date(s)

  • 1996-1997 Covers 1942-1997 (Creation)

Level of description

Collection

Extent

1 file (0.01 cubic metres)

Scope and content

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.

System of arrangement

Photocopies from scrapbook compiled by Mr Nelson, 1996-97

General Information

Name of creator

(1915-1999)

Biographical history

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.

Custodial history

Photocopies presented by family, July 2000

Conditions governing access

Open, subject to signature of Reader's undertaking form, and appropriate provision of two forms of identification, to include one photographic ID.

Conditions governing reproduction

Copies, subject to the condition of the original, may be supplied from open material for research purposes only.

Requests to publish original material should be submitted to the Trustees of the Liddell Hart Centre for Military Archives, via the Archives.

Language of material

  • English

Script of material

Existence and location of originals

Original scrapbook retained by family

Related descriptions

Alternative identifier(s)

Subjects

Place access points

People and Organisations

Genre access points

Rules and/or conventions used

Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000.

Script(s)

Archivist's note

Sources: papers and Times obituary. Compiled by Alan Kucia as part of the RSLP AIM 25 Project.

Accession area

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