The Airmen's Stories - Sgt. W N Gardiner

William Nairn Gardiner was born in Perth, Scotland on 26th January 1921 and joined the RAFVR about August 1939 as an Airman u/t Pilot.

Called up on 1st September 1939, he completed his flying training and served with 3 Squadron at Castletown during the latter part of the Battle of Britain.

He flew his first operational sortie with the squadron on 27th October 1940.

Above image courtesy of Audrey Wyper (daughter-in-law).

Gardiner was posted away to 96 Squadron at Cranage on 25th December 1940. The squadron had been recently formed from 422 Flight for night-flying operations with Hurricanes.

His subsequent service is currently undocumented until he was commissioned from Warrant Officer in March 1942.

He joined the RAFVR in 1947.

Gardiner died on 5th November 1998 in Perth.