AC1 Thomas Braidwood Moir RAF (629157).

Nothing is known about this airman after his incident on the North Yorkshire Moors, he is widely named simply as "AC Moir" but I strongly believe that he is the same individual who was awarded the DFM in June 1940 for his actions the previous month. This AC1 Thomas Moir had his DFM Gazetted on 7th June 1940 but there is no mention of the Unit he was serving with at the time. The Citation reads..

"One night in May 1940 the aircraft in which this airman was wireless operator air gunner was heavily engaged by enemy ground defences which incapacitated the front gunner and Aircraftman Moir was himself hit in the foot. Despite this, he continued to engage the enemy ground defences and succeeded in extinguishing a searchlight after which the remainder were switched out. As the aircraft was still over enemy territory, this airman remained at his post until loss of blood compelled him to leave to have his wound dressed. As rear gunner this airman has displayed a high standard of devotion to duty on three previous flights during the past month."

I would suggest that one of the previous incidents this citation refers to is the crash on the North Yorkshire Moors when he was flying as rear gunner.

It has also been suggested that he later reached the rank of Wing Commander although following through the name and service number I cannot prove this. Soon after this incident the rules to fly operationally were changed, all aircrew had to be the rank of Sergeant or above. Had Thomas Moir continued in his aircrew duties he would have had to have been raised in rank to Sergeant.

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