Hill, William Grant
Personal Information
Rank | F/S |
Forename(s) | William Grant |
Surname | Hill |
Gender | M |
Age | 25 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 07-08-1943 |
Next of Kin | Son of Francis Henry Hill and Catherine Hill (née Baker), of Washago, Ontario, Canada. Husband of Leila Mabel Hill (née Woodbury), whom he married at Niagara Falls on 18 January, 1943. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Vickers Wellington III |
Serial Number | HF612 |
Markings |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | United Kingdom |
Burial/Memorial Place | Stratford-On-Avon Cemetery |
Grave Reference | Grave 3938. |
Epitaph |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 1 |
Panel Number | 49 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | R/139366 |
Service | Royal Canadian Air Force |
Group | 91 |
Squadron | 22 OTU |
Trade | Pilot |
Country of Origin | Canada |
Other Memorials
Location | St. Peter's Church, Wellesbourne Mountford, Warwickshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Inscribed Metal Plaque |
Memorial Text | A dedication to the men and women who were killed while serving with 22 OTU during World War 2 |
Miscellaneous Information
William was born on 9 February 1918 at Washago, Ontario. His father, a painter, was born at Hastings, Ontario and his mother was born in London, England. He had three brothers John, Arthur and Edward and a sister Annie. The schools he attended were S.S.4 in Stamford, Ontario 1925-1933, Collegiate Vocational Institute Stamford,1933-1936 (Vocational Matric) and the C.V.I at Niagara Falls 1940-1941 (drafting). He also studied at the Canadian Institute of Science and Technology 1939-1940. He lived most of his life in Stamford Township. His sport interests were hockey, ping pong and swimming. William worked at the Burgess Battery Co., Niagara Falls as a solderer and draftsman between 1936-1941 when he then enlisted. |
After enlisting on 28 November 1941 and initial training, he embarked from New York for England on 9 March 1943. He then went to 3PRC on 18 March 1943, 11(P) AFU 27 April 1943, and 22 OTU on 29 June 1943. Sadly William, who was still a pupil pilot, lost his life on 7 August 1943 from 22 OTU. |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 07-08-1943 |
End Date | 07-08-1943 |
Takeoff Station | Wellesbourne Mountford |
Day/Night Raid | Day |
Operation | Night training- circuits and landings |
Reason for Loss | Completed one successful circuit but the stabiard engine suffered a magneto failure as the aircraft pulled away for the second circuit. Crashed into farmland a mile from the runway before bursting into flames. |