85 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (British Air Force)
Date Of Birth:
02/10/1916
Died:
14/06/1941 (Killed in Action)
Age:
24
Summary
Thomas C.E. Berkeley was the second son of James Lowry Berkeley and Eleanor Berkeley of Poplar Hill, Tullyhogue, Cookstown,. Thomas Berkeley worked at Gallagher’ Tobacco Factory in York Street, Belfast and served as a pre-war member of the RAF Reserve. He joined the R.A.F in 1940 and piloted a Hurricane during the Battle of Britain. During a night operation on 14th June 1941 Flight Sergeant Berkeley was flying a Boston Havoc against German intruders. The Havoc crashed killing both of the crew.
Further Information
Thomas Berkeley was the second son of James Lowry Berkeley and Eleanor Paden Berkeley. James Berkeley and Eleanor Paden were married on 6th October 1909 in the district of North Down.
The 1911 census lists Thomas's parents at house 26 in Grange, Tullaghogue, Cookstown. His father was a farmer.
Thomas Colqhoun Edmonds Berkeley was born on 2nd October 1916 in the district of Cookstown.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 7th October 1916: Births
BERKELEY – October 2nd, at Poplar Hill, Cookstown, the wife of J L Berkeley, of a son.
Known family: James Lowry Berkeley, Eleanor Paden Berkeley, Robert Samuel Lowry Berkeley (born 21st July 1910, Cookstown), Thomas Colqhoun Edmonds Berkeley (born 2nd October 1916. Cookstown), Mona Berkeley (born about 1917), Eleanor Berkeley (born 19th September 1918, Cookstown), Eleanor Berkeley (born about 1921), Gladys Berkeley (born about 1924), James Colhoun Edmonds Berkeley (born about 1927).
The family lived at Poplar Hill, Grange, Tullyhogue, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone.
Thomas Berkeley worked at Gallagher’s tobacco factory in York Street, Belfast and served as a pre-war member of the RAF Reserve.
He was an all-round sportsman and considered quite a proficient tennis player.
He joined 85 Squadron R.A.F on 2nd September 1940. Flight Sergeant Thomas C E Berkeley piloted a Hurricane during the Battle of Britain.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 12th October 1940:
While there has not been any apparent rush in our area to join H.M. Forces, many families are showing a good example. For instance, though Mr J L Berkeley, R.D.C., of Poplar Hill, is too old for active service (except on the land where he is doing good work raising food), his eldest son, Lowry, who is managing the cigarette department of Messrs Gallagher’s of Belfast, is adjutant in the Home Guards. He wanted to join the regular army, but his employers preferred that he remain with them. His younger brother however joined the Royal Air Force a year ago, and is a Sergeant Pilot in England, while Mr Berkeley’s youngest daughter is doing Women’s Reserve Nursing Work in Londonderry.
During a night operation on 14th June 1941, Flight Sergeant Berkeley was flying a Boston Havoc (Serial No AX848) against German intruders. His aircraft illuminated a German Heinkel 111 with its search light, the enemy responded with fire from the mid upper gunner.
The Havoc was hit and went out of control and crashed over the Thames Estuary. Both crew were killed. The other crew member was 947344 Sergeant Reginald Carr.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 27th June 1942: Roll of Honour
BERKELEY – Killed in action 14th June 1941, Flight Sergeant Thomas Colqhoun Edmonds, second son of the late James L Berkeley, and of Mrs Berkeley, Poplar Hill, Cookstown.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 29th August 1942: (Eleanor Berkeley - sister of Thomas Berkeley)
The engagement is announced between Captain Jack Everson Davis, of the Northamptonshire Regiment (only son of Mr and Mrs E Davis, of Pinner, Middlesex), and Eleanor Veronica Berkeley, W.R.N.S. (second daughter of the late J L Berkeley and of Mrs Berkeley of Poplar Hill, Cookstown, County Tyrone.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 9th January 1943:
There was a charming wedding in Molesworth Street Presbyterian Church last Saturday, when Miss Eleanor Veronica Berkeley, Women's Royal Naval Service (W.R.N.S.), was married to Lieutenant Jack Everson-Davis, R.E.M.E. (Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers). The bride is the second daughter of the late James L Berkeley and Mrs Berkeley of Poplar Hill, Cookstown, and the bridegroom is the only son of Mr and Mrs Walter E Davis, of Pinner, London.
At the ceremony, which was conducted by the bride’s uncle, Rev James Johnstone, B.A., of Corvalley, Carrickmacross, the bride was given away by her brother, Mr Lowry Berkeley. Both she and the bridegroom were in uniform. Petty Officer Gladys Berkeley, the bride’s sister, who acted as bridesmaid, was also in W.R.N.S. uniform. The best man was Captain John Rickman (Recce).
The hymn, O Perfect Love, was sung by the choir, Mr James McCammon at the organ. Afterwards, a reception was held in the Royal Hotel, Cookstown, at which only intimate friends and relatives were present. Mrs Berkeley, the bride’s mother, was smartly dressed, wearing a black ensemble. On leaving for her honeymoon, which is being spent in Rostrevor and the south of England, the bride was wearing a pretty costume of blue tweed with nay accessories. The bride was the recipient of the regimental badge in gold and diamonds, of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers from the bridegroom.
Flight Sergeant Thomas C E Berkeley has no known grave and is commemorated on Panel 35 of the Runnymede Memorial in Surrey
Flight Sergeant Thomas C E Berkeley is commemorated locally on Cookstown Cenotaph and on Molesworth Presbyterian Roll of Honour.
The CWGC record Flight Sergeant Thomas Colqhoun Edmonds Berkeley as the son of James Lowry Berkeley and Eleanor Berkeley of Tullyhogue, County Tyrone
