Training complete, he joined 51 Squadron in September 1940 located at RAF Dishforth in Yorkshire, but transferred in March 1941 to No 1419 (Special Duties) Flight (later 138 Squadron).
RAF Bomber Command | The Sabre Squadron | RAF Sculthorpe | RAF Northolt | RAF Coastal Command | No. 33 Squadron RAF | No. 263 Squadron RAF | RAF Ringway | RAF Lakenheath | RAF Brize Norton | squadron | RAF Leuchars | Pacific Squadron | RAF Mount Pleasant | RAF Mildenhall | RAF Greenham Common | RAF Fighter Command | No. 45 Squadron RAF | No. 127 Squadron RAF | RAF Wyton | RAF Welford | RAF Valley | RAF Tangmere | RAF Search and Rescue Force | RAF Molesworth | RAF Lossiemouth | RAF Leeming | RAF Honington | RAF Coningsby | RAF Alconbury |
From August 1940 to December 1940, Tholthorpe was a landing field for Whitley bombers of No. 58 Squadron RAF and No. 51 Squadron RAF based at Linton.