Key Information
Reference code
Title
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
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.
Repository
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
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.