Basic Details Surname Thornton Forenames John Brian Gender unknown Information stated on memorial War Second World War (1939-1945) Served or died Died Notes Son of Alexander James and Constance M. M. Thornton of Brooklands, Gter Manchester Primary Service As stated on memorial Service (Primary - Stated) RAF VR Unit (Primary - Stated) Coastal Command Sub-unit (Primary - Stated) 172 Squadron Rank / Title (Primary - Stated) Flying Officer Our References Service (Primary - Our reference) Royal Air Force/ Royal Flying Corps Rank / Title (Primary - Our reference) Flying Officer Death and Burial details Country of death Not stated on memorial Town of death Not stated on Memorial Country of burial Not stated on memorial Town of burial Not stated on Memorial Cemetery Sale Brooklands Cemetary, Trafford, Gter Manchester Year of death 1942 Month of death December Day of death 15 Age at death 24 Manner of death as stated Killed on operations Manner of death reference Killed in Action