AS a follow-up to your article about Squadron Leader Harold Starr, I just thought we might pay tribute to another adopted Swindonian of the RAF, Group Captain Rhys Henry Thomas. I believe he was originally from Southampton but the family moved to Swindon due to work commitments. The family home was at 101 Dean Street, originally the Thomas’s home. Grp Capt Thomas joined the RAF in 1938 and became a pilot flying fighters. At the start of the war he was promoted to Squadron Leader of 129 Squadron and went on to serve in many other squadrons, including 66, 92, 266 and became one of the senior officers on the 2nd Tactical Air Force. He was awarded the DFC in May 1942 followed by the DSO in September 1942. He was promoted to Wing Commander of Leigh Mallory`s Big Wing operating out of Tangmere.

After D-Day he took command of Typhoon flights attacking road, rail and military targets, which he commanded until the end of the war, flying many sorties with his group.

On 16 April 1946 he was promoted to Group Captain as the Military Attaché in Athens, where, according to rumour, he became good friends with Prince Phillip who was in command of HMS Magpie based in Piraeus.

I understand he met and fell in love with a Greek girl called Lena Droulia, personal secretary to the Australian ambassador.

He was taken ill, flown home and rushed into hospital then sadly died of a twisted gut.

His parents were dead early in the war and his sister Peggy Thomas married Ken Neal, an engineering officer, and together with his brother Norman, also an engineering officer, served all through the war in the Merchant Navy.

So even more heroes from Swindon. I know all this as Ken and Peggy were the parents of my friend Rhys Neal who was born at 101 Dean Street. Rhys Neal sadly died in 2013 and this was the end of the family, at least this branch. There is another Neal left, again one of my very good friends, David Neal, the son of Norman Neal.

As you can see, we probably have even more heroes in Swindon than we realise. God bless them all.

DAVID COLLINS Blake Crescent, Swindon