A Kinross-shire primary school has dedicated its new library to a Victoria Cross hero who died after pulling colleagues free from a burning plane.
George Thompson was a former pupil at Portmoak Primary School, and the pupils took the opportunity to mark the 70th anniversary of his death.
He was awarded the highest military honour posthumously for “most conspicuous bravery”.
Head teacher Louise Gordon said: “We are delighted that our library project is now completed and that we have been able to commemorate the bravery of our ex-pupil, George Thompson, in this 70th anniversary year.
“The library development has been a lot of hard work and effort on behalf of our parent council, Friends of Portmoak, our sewing club and the pupil library committee.
“We would like to thank Moto Services, Sainsbury’s, the Round Table and Rotary Club who have all supported our fundraising efforts.
“We wanted a library that would be a calm and inviting place where children would enjoy spending time and curling up with a good book.
“We didn’t want just any old library, we wanted a Portmoak-standard library and I think that is what we have achieved.”
Born in Trinity Gask in 1920, Thompson attended Portmoak Primary School and Kinross High School.
After leaving school he became an apprentice greengrocer with David Sands in Kinross.
He joined the RAF reserve in 1941, training as a ground crew wireless operator. He was later posted to Bomber Command after volunteering as air crew.
His fatal mission took place on New Years’ Day 1945 when the 24-year-old Flight Sergeant and his crew were on a mission to bomb the Dortmund- Ems Canal in Germany when their Lancaster bomber was hit by two shells.
A fire broke out in the gun turrets and Flight Sergeant Thompson rescued both gunners, sustaining serious burns to his legs, hands and face as he beat out the flames engulfing his colleagues’ clothing.
He then dodged a hole in the plane’s floor to report to the pilot.
The plane crash-landed but FS Thompson died three weeks later after developing pneumonia.