Lilley, William Raymond
Personal Information
Rank | F/O |
Forename(s) | William Raymond |
Surname | Lilley |
Gender | M |
Age | 22 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 13-05-1944 |
Next of Kin | Son of John Bowley Lilley and Hildred Annie Lilley, of Ashby-De-La-Zouch. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Handley Page Halifax III |
Serial Number | NA492 |
Markings | C8-X |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | United Kingdom |
Burial/Memorial Place | Ashby-De-La-Zouch Cemetery |
Grave Reference | Sec. 3. Grave 3. |
Epitaph | HE GAVE HIS LIFE WITH MANY OTHERS TO GAIN FREEDOM AND PEACE FOR ALL |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 199 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | 152713 |
Service | Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve |
Group | 4 |
Squadron | 640 |
Trade | Air Bomber |
Country of Origin | United Kingdom |
Other Memorials
Location | Normandy Barracks, Leconfield, East Yorkshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Metal Sculpture Brick Pillars and Inscribed Sqn Badges |
Memorial Text | A memorial to those who flew from RAF Leconfield, including 640 Sqn |
Location | Memorial Gardens, Beverley, East Yorkshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Memorial Stone, Inscribed Marble Tablet |
Memorial Text | A memorial to those of 640 Sqn who were killed during WW2 |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/2216/10 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/2157/9 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 12-05-1944 |
End Date | 13-05-1944 |
Takeoff Station | Leconfield |
Day/Night Raid | Night (77% moon) |
Operation | Hasselt- to attack railway yards. 132 aircraft but only 39 bombed and all missed the target due to haze. The Master Bomber ordered that the raid be stopped. Five Lancasters Lost (3.8%). |
Reason for Loss | During the run up to the target this aircraft fought off two nightfighter attacks and was hit by a burst of light Flak, putting two engines and the mid-upper gun turret out of action, and putting a large hole made in starboard wing. Crashed as the pilot attempted to land at Woodbridge airfield, Suffolk, 0158hrs. Victory confirmed for Oblt. Tober on 29 August 1944. |