William's Story.
William (Bill) was born in 1920, in Birkenhead, to parents Alfred Edgar and Elizabeth. In the 1911 census the family were living at 14 Neston Street Birkenhead and Alfred’s occupation is recorded as a Hydraulic Engineer for the Dock Board.
By 1939 19 year old William was living with his mother and two older sisters at 7 Neston Street Birkenhead – his father Alfred having died in 1923 aged only 42. William’s occupation is recorded as an apprentice compositor.
Soon afterwards (date not known) William joined the RAF Volunteer Reserve. The RAFVR was formed in 1936 to provide personnel to supplement the Royal Auxiliary Air Force. The idea was to provide a reserve of aircrew to draw upon in the event of war.
In 1942 we find William, attached to Bomber Command, within the Royal Canadian Air Force, 405 squadron. This squadron in the summer of 1942 was based out of Pocklington RAF base in Yorkshire.
William’s role as part of aircrew was a Wireless Operator/ Air Gunner (this was a dual role in case of emergencies). The squadron were flying Halifax bombers and in July of 42 were undertaking bombing raids on Germany. Already in that month William had flown two missions to Bremen and Vegesack.
In the early hours of 24th July a total of 215 aircraft from Bomber Command were detailed to carry out an operation to bomb Duisberg in Germany – this included William’s Squadron’s aircraft, call name ‘K’, leaving from Pocklington at 00.37hrs. The crew of aircraft ‘K’ completed their operation and on return from Germany and just before 05.00hrs the aircraft was circling Pocklington airfield a couple of times awaiting instructions to land. One the outer engines failed, the aircraft swung over, the pilot lost control and the aircraft dived into the ground. As it was over the village of Pocklington it crashed into houses and then the school on New Street and burst into flames. Sadly, all eight airmen in the aircraft were killed including Sergeant Colloton aged 22, but thankfully no civilians were seriously hurt with only a schoolboy slightly injured and needed rescuing from a nearby air raid shelter.
William’s body was brought home and buried at Flaybrick Cemetery, Birkenhead on 28th July 1942 in a private grave which is also recognised as a Commonwealth War Grave. His sister Florence was also buried here some years later.
William’s name is recorded on the Birkenhead War Memorial inside the Birkenhead Town Hall and also on 405 Squadron Honour Roll.
Research by Chris