The Airmen's Stories - Sgt. C W Francis

Clarence William Francis was born on 7th March 1921 in Cambridge and joined the RAFVR on 9th June 1939 as an Airman u/t Pilot.

Called up on 1st September 1939, he completed his training at 15 FTS Lossiemouth on No. 6 Course, which ran from 29th December 1939 to 10th June 1940. He then went to 5 OTU Aston Down and after converting to Spitfires was posted on 24th June to 74 Squadron at Hornchurch.

His last flight with the squadron was made on 28th July 1940. He then joined 4 (Civilian) Ferry Pilot Pool at Kemble on 7th August 1940.

His subsequent service is currently undocumented until he was commissioned in January 1942.

He married Barbara Henstridge in March 1942 in Andover, Hampshire.

Francis was released from the RAF in 1945 as a Flight Lieutenant and settled in Andover, Hampshire, serving as a JP and managing the local car firms Pontings and Doves.

Francis died on 1st November 2001.