William was born on 16 August 1917 in Ontario. His father, a Provincial Relief Inspector, was born in Toronto and his mother in Brantford. They lived at 99 Dowling Ave, Toronto. William was from a large family with six brothers- Peter (also on the strength of Bomber Command and flew on the same operation but returned safely), Robert, RCAF Uplands, Ont., George, Paul, Thomas and John and three sisters, Genevieve who was married, Margaret Clara RCAF Dartmouth (Nursing Sister) and Anne Theresa at home. As well as these children a son Michael died aged 16 months and another, Francis Edward (killed in 1942 with 119 Squadron, Coastal Command). The schools which William attended were: Our Lady of Lourdes 1923-1928 (Entrance), De La Salle College 1929-1932 (Matric), Jarvis collegiate 1932-1934 and a secretarial course at Northern Vocational, Ontario, 1934-1935. His sport interests were golf, baseball and hockey. |
He worked at Rolph Clark Stone Ltd., Toronto 1935-1938 as a dictaphone operator, a secretary with Provincial Government 1937-1939, with the British Canadian Sales Co. 1940-1941, as a stenographer until the business closed down, and then an assistant secretary with the Rotary Club of Toronto 1941 onwards. |
William enlisted on 15 January 1942, in Toronto, and after training embarked from Halifax on 29 April 1944. After arrival in the U.K. and 3 PRC on 8 May, he went on to 10(0) AFU 18 July 1944, 19 OTU 22 August, 71 Base 17 November 1944 and 100 Squadron on 17 February 1945. He was killed a month later. |