Thomas Frederick Stephenson

Who was Thomas Frederick Stephenson?

Sergeant Thomas Frederick Stephenson was a World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories.

Stephenson was a sergeant pilot in 11 Squadron . He was teamed with 1st Air Mechanic 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 D.VIIs on 31 October, they in turn fell under the guns of Oberleutnant Hans Bethge. They survived this, though Platel lost a toe. Stephenson subsequently went missing in action on 20 November 1917, apparently as a victim of ground fire.