Thomas Frederick Stephenson

Sergeant Thomas Frederick Stephenson (1894 – 20 November 1917) was a British World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories.

Military service He was born in Eastfield, Peterborough, the son of George Frederick Stephenson and his wife Annie Georgina. He joined the Royal Flying Corps on 7 July 1913, and was sent to France on 12 August 1914.

By 1917 Stephenson was a sergeant pilot in No. 11 Squadron RFC. He was teamed with Air Mechanic 1st Class Sydney Platel as his observer/gunner in a Bristol F.2 Fighter. The duo garnered five victories together between 23 September and 31 October 1917, all against Albatros D.Vs. After destroying two enemy aircraft on 31 October, they in turn fell under the guns of Oberleutnant Hans Bethge. They survived this, though Platel lost a toe. but Morse survived, although wounded, and was captured.

As an air casualty of the Western Front with no known grave, he is commemorated at the Arras Flying Services Memorial, and also on the Peterborough War Memorial.

List of aerial victories