www.gc-database.co.uk/.../ TollemacheAHH.htm (sic)

Anthony Henry Hamilton TOLLEMACHE (sic), GC
 
No. & Rank at the Time of Action: Flying Officer 

Unit/Occupation: 600 Squadron, Auxilliary Air Force 

Date and Place of Birth: 3rd August 1913 

Family: Husband of Mrs Celia Tollemache (sic). A distant relative of Lord Tollemache (sic). Son of Henry and Ethel Tollemache (sic) who married in 1912. Married 1) Francoise de Hautcloque 2) Cecilia Cochrane. Family: Catherine (b 1948), Richard (1950), Gregory (1954), Juliette (1956), Alexander (1958) and Karine (unknown) 

Early Life: 

Date and Place of GC Action: March 11th 1940, Manston, Kent 

The London Gazette: 6th August 1940 

Citation: 

Account of Deed: On 11th March 1940 at Manston, Kent, Flying Officer Tollemache (sic) was the pilot of an aircraft which carried a passenger and an air gunner and was engaged on a searchlight co-operation exercise. When approaching the fiarepath to land, after completing the exercise shortly before midnight, the aircraft struck a tree and crashed into a field, where it immediately burst into flames. Flying Officer Tollemache (sic) was thrown clear of the wreckage and his air gunner also escaped. However, realising that his passenger was still in the aircraft, and despite the intense heat and the explosion of small arms ammunition, Flying Officer Tollemache (sic) tried to break through the forward hatch and rescue him. He persisted in his efforts until his own clothing was ablaze and he had suffered injuries which nearly cost him his life. 

Remarks: EGM - GC exchange. He died in the incident aged 29

In his GC act, Tollemache's (sic) Air Gunner was LAC Smith and the passenger who Tollemache (sic) tried so valliantly to rescue was 2/Lt Philip Rowland Sperling (115739) Welsh Guards.

Tolemache's (sic) burns made him one of Sir Archibald McIndoe's "guinea pigs".

Additional Information: Tollemache's (sic) promotions were announced in the London Gazette as follows:

F/O A H H Tollemache (sic) EGM (90100) promoted Flight Lieut. 3.9.40.(LG 29.10.40, p.6265)

F/Lieut A H H Tollemache (sic) to be T/S/Ldr 1.9.42 (LG 1.10.42, p.4268)

Aux Air Force Temp S/Ldr A H H Tollemache (sic) to be S/Ldr. 16.10.43 (LG 24.12.43, p.5594)

Final Rank: Squadron Leader

ADC to Field Marshal Earl Alexander of Tunis, Governor-General of Canada.

Other Decorations/Medals: 

GC Location/Sale History: Tollemache's GC was stolen from his widow's house about 20 years ago.

Date and Place of Death: 20th February 1977, in Paris,, France 

Cause of Death: Car crash 

Burial/Cremation: Helmingham churchyard, Suffolk. The VC & GC Assn was represented by Mr Vivian Hollowday GC and Mr Peter Wright VC. 

Obituary: Daily Telegraph 22nd February 1977 

Memorials: 

Town/County Connections: Lived at Hills Road, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire