Arril, William McKenzie
Personal Information
Rank | F/S |
Forename(s) | William McKenzie |
Surname | Arril |
Gender | M |
Age | 24 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 06-08-1943 |
Next of Kin | Son of John Neil Arril and Mabel Arril (née Sinden), of Hamilton, Ontario, Canada |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Vickers Wellington III |
Serial Number | BK430 |
Markings |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | United Kingdom |
Burial/Memorial Place | Chester (Blacon) Cemetery |
Grave Reference | Sec. A. Grave 678. |
Epitaph |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 1 |
Panel Number | 3 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | R/145976 |
Service | Royal Canadian Air Force |
Group | 91 |
Squadron | 23 OTU |
Trade | Air Bomber |
Country of Origin | Canada |
Miscellaneous Information
Born on 5 April 1918 in Hamilton, Ontario. His father worked as a Stationery Engineer who was born in Scotland and his mother was born in England. They married in Canada. William was a student of fine arts and attended the following schools: Bennetto School, Hamilton, 1925-1931. Westdale Tech, Hamilton, 1931-1932 where he took his Matric subjects Wentworth Tech 1932-1936, Drafting and Art. Art Student League, New York 1939-1941. Art course Colombia University, New York 1941 onwards. Between 1936-1937, William worked as an illustrator for the New York Herald Tribune and then went back to school. He then worked as an artist for Standard Engravers back in Hamilton and for G.W.Robinson also in Hamilton, between the years 1937-1939, before continuing his studies. He carried out leadership work with the Y.M.C.A and was an instructor on boy’s hobbies |
He enlisted on 23 December 1941 and after training embarked for the U.K..he was at 3 PRC on 18 December 1942, 10 (0) AFU 17 May 1943, and at Pershore on 6 July 1943. He lost his life exactly one month later. |
The sports William enjoyed were, gymnastics, swimming, hockey and water polo. |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 06-08-1943 |
End Date | 06-08-1943 |
Takeoff Station | Pershore |
Day/Night Raid | Day |
Operation | Bullseye exercise |
Reason for Loss | Crashed at Whitchurch, Shropshire following an engine failure |