The Editor of this Website was in his Business life a Director of Modular Developments Ltd of 12 Jefferson Way, Thame Oxon and thus a longstanding Tenant of Wing Commander T G Jefferson’s Property Portfolio for some 18 years. During this period the Triennial Rent Reviews were negotiated directly with Thomas the larger than life Landlord during a visit to his abode at Winter’s Hill, Cookham and over an elevenses coffee served with added spirit. Just to settle the mutual nerves and thus greatly relaxed the paramount issue at hand. After the completed negotiations came to fruition he would soften the damage sustained by the increase in Rent by taking us to his favourite Gastronomic Venue of the day. This included Cocktails and a sumptuous Dinner, with fine Wine at his expense, such as the Compleat Angler in Marlow or The Bell at Hurley. Sadly under prevailing Business pressures, I did not then retain an avid interest in his Wartime escapades and this came much later in life in my own Retirement. I was delighted to find recently that I could satisfy my neglected curiosity by reading Rusty Russell’s copious accounts of Thomas’s Wartime Raids. These are both reproduced and supplemented here with added information for others to enjoy on this ‘Not for Profit’ Website by way of a Tribute to both men. Please contact me if you have any added comments or information to embellish Thomas’s RAF Career with.
Hello,
I just wanted to say I found this a really interesting read and has given me an insight into a man of which I have heard a great deal about over the years, but a never actually knew. Thomas Jefferson was married to my Great-grandmother, Elsie or ‘Joey‘ as she was more commonly known. My father spent a great deal of time as a child visiting his grandmother at Winter’s Hill, Cookham and I have heard lots of stories. I knew Thomas had an interesting RAF Career but I never know any details, so this is fascinating. Thank you very much for sharing the original Lionel ‘Rusty’ Russell article on the Internet.
Best wishes, Zena
Winter Hill offers arguably some of the most breathtaking views of the River Thames and nearby Cock Marsh. One of the highest Thames Terraces, Winter Hill is believed to have been used as winter pasture for livestock when more fertile areas on the flood plains became unstable. The terraces of the Thames, along with Winter Hill were the first areas colonised by the nomadic hunter-gatherers of the Old Stone Age (350,000 – 10,000 BC). Habitation at the site has continued ever since, as is evident from the Bronze Age tumuli (burial mounds) at nearby Cock Marsh. Indeed, huge amounts of Roman pottery were removed from the foot of Winter Hill in 1906, which is thought to have been the site of a Ferry across the River Thames.
Wing Commander T G 'Jeff' Jefferson, DSO AFC AE 