GEORGE WILLIAMS 

George Williams was born in February 1923, the son of Owen and Mary Ellen Williams [nee Dean] of Wallasey, Cheshire. He had two older sisters, Ethel Elena and Margaret, born in 1907 and 1908 respectively. His father had a shop in Wallasey, and was described in the 1939 Register as Fruiterer and Carrier at 277 Wallasey Village. In 1942 George went with the R.A.F. to America, to No.5 British Flying Training School, Riddle-McKay Aero College at Clewiston, Florida. This school began operating in July 1941 in the Everglades, and George was on Course No. 7.

After completing the course and getting his wings in September 1942, he kept in touch with his fellow students. His two surviving letters to one of these friends, dated October and December 1943, give some details of his war service. On subsequently leaving Operational Training Unit, George wrote that he got posted to a Whirlwind squadron in England and was still there in October 1943. “I think a lot of the Whirlwind, it’s as nice as the old Hurricane. I’ve managed to get a few “ops” in and have about 70 hours on them.” In December 1943, he wrote from 263 Squadron, R.A.F. Ibsley, Hants, “If you want to join a real top line squadron, 263 is it”. George gave details about other pilots from Flying School, adding “It seems as if seven course are going in their ones and twos. I’ve managed to get a bit of fun and games in, though at times it has not been so bloody funny. Still, for all that it’s a wizard life.” George revealed in October 1943 that he was going steady with a W.A.A.F. “It’s getting on for over four months since I met her, which is a record for me.” Then in the December letter, he said “I’m still going strong with the same girl, went home with her on a 48 hour the other week”.

Tragically, George was killed in action shortly afterwards. His sister Ethel wrote a letter to his friend, informing him,“ George has been missing, believed to have been killed while on an operation over France on his 21st birthday last February……We have had no further word, other than that of his Squadron Leader who saw him shot down.” George died on 13 February 1944, and is buried in Guillerval Community Cemetery, France. Guillerval is a village 31 miles south of Versailles, and the cemetery also contains the graves of two other British airmen.

Sources:
ancestry.co.uk findmypast.com
FreeBMD
CommonwealthWar Graves Commission

Researched by Vivienne Marshall.