Name
Thomas Basil George Pyne
Conflict
Second World War
Date of Death / Age
14/05/1940
24
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Sergeant
565921
Royal Air Force
73 Sqdn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
CHOLOY WAR CEMETERY
2. J. 9.
France
Headstone Inscription
YOUR SACRIFICE IS EVER IN THE MEMORY OF YOUR LOVING MOTHER MARY AND PETER. R.I.P.
UK & Other Memorials
Not on the Hitchin memorials
Biography
His Service Number was 565921 and, at the time of his death, was a Hurricane pilot serving with 73 Squadron based at Rouvres and Rheims.
On the 23rd April 1940 whilst flying a Hurricane I of 73 Squadron he was on patrol and was force-landed west of Merzig after combat with ME 109s of JG 53. He sustained splinter wounds to one arm and shoulder. On the 14th May 1940 he was on patrol flying Hurricane I PZ812 from the same Squadron and was shot down near Namur by a ME 109 of JG 52.
He was buried in Plot 2, Row J, Grave 9 in the Choloy War Cemetery in France.
He was the son of Flight Lieutenant George Henry Ernest Pyne and Mary Delia Pyne of Hitchin. His brother Derek Joseph Oswald Pyne also died on service.
Acknowledgments
David C Baines – ‘Hitchin’s Century of Sacrifice’, ‘RAF Squadrons’ by C.G. Jefford, ‘R.A.F. Fighter Command Losses’ by N.L.R. Franks
