The Airmen's Stories - AC1 W N Addison

William Nathan Addison, of Manchester, was born on 11th August 1919 and was employed by a local firm of electrical engineers.

He joined the RAF in 1938 and trained as a Wireless Operator. He volunteered for aircrew duties in mid-1940 and was sent on a short radar course at RAF Yatesbury.

On 18th August Addison joined 23 Squadron at Wittering and served with it during the Battle of Britain.

In early 1941 Addison was posted to 85 Squadron at Debden, operating Havocs, and entered what was to be a long and highly successful partnership with a Canadian pilot, F/Lt. G Raphael. During the night of 13th/14th May 1941 Raphael and Addison destroyed a He111 off the Thames Estuary and probably destroyed another near Gravesend. A Ju88 was shot down at night on 23rd/24th June and a He111 was destroyed on 13th/14th July.

Addison was awarded the DFM (gazetted 15th July 1941) and promoted to Sergeant. The team shot down a Ju88 during the night of 16th/17th September 1941, damaged another on 30th/31st July 1942 and had their final victory together in a Mosquito on 17th/18th January 1943, destroying a Ju88.

Addison, who had been promoted to Warrant Officer on 1st May 1942, was awarded the DFC (gazetted 19th February 1943).

About this time he was posted away for a rest from operations. He married Winifred Girton in Sunderland in April 1943.

In July 1944 Addison returned to operations, joining 488 Squadron at Colerne. He was to have flown with the CO but he was killed just prior to Addison's arrival. So he was teamed up with F/O D Robinson, when he was tour-expired Addison flew with F/Lt. Cook until he returned. During his time with 488, Addison assisted in the destruction of a Ju88.

When 488 was disbanded on 26th April 1945, Addison went with Robinson to 219 Squadron, where they stayed until the war ended.

Addison was released from the RAF in 1945.

He died in November 1989 in Hitchin.