Thomas G. Rae

Who was Thomas G. Rae?

Lieutenant Thomas Gillies Rae was a World War I flying ace credited with six aerial victories. He served with the Royal Flying Corps during World War I and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. He served in Flanders and in Europe. After the war he went to South West Africa and worked in the Administration, Public Works Department, where he later became senior inspector of works in Windhoek until 1945 when he retired to his farm in Grootfontein district. He died in Volka hospital in Cape Town on June 22, 1957 at the age of 72 years. Tribute has been paid to Mr Rae as having contributed a great deal to the development of the Territory. He was a capable officer and did much pioneer work in the South West. He was a great hunter, and in 1928 accompanied HRH Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn on a three week hunting trip covering 1,600 miles, and in 1926/7 accompanied the Governor General Alexander Cambridge, 1st Earl of Athlone on an elephant hunt in South Kaokoveld.

Mention must be made that "Tommy" was one of the finest all-round sportsmen that his country ever produced.