The Airmen's Stories - P/O W R Jones

William Ross Jones was born on 22nd November 1911. He joined the RAF in early 1930 as an Aircrafthand.

He married Amelia Eleanor Phipps on 2nd November 1938 in Oxfordshire.

He later applied for pilot training and was selected. He remustered as an Airman u/t Pilot on 13th March 1939.

With his training completed, Jones was posted to 266 Squadron at Sutton Bridge direct from FTS on 6th November 1939. He shared in the destruction of a He115 floatplane east of Deal on 15th August 1940 and on the 16th he probably destroyed a Me109.

While refuelling at Manston on 18th August Jones was caught in a ground attack by German fighters and was treated for shock. He did not fly again with 266 before being posted to 602 Squadron at Westhampnett on 13th September. Jones was commissioned on this day.

He flew no sorties with 602 between 13th September and 23rd October 1940, when he was posted away from 602. Possibly the shock effects of 18th August may have been greater than expected.

On 2nd September 1944 Jones was given the task of forming and then commanding the Special Duties Flight for communication duties in support of 2nd TAF and 21 Army Group on the Continent.

He later went to the Air Staff at Technical Training Command and carried out many special flights to Southern France, Belgium, Germany and Holland, carrying many important passengers. He was awarded the AFC (gazetted 1st January 1946).

Jones was in the Fighter Control Branch after the war and retired from the RAF on 28th January 1959 as a Flight Lieutenant, retaining the rank of Squadron Leader.

He died at Llanfairfechan, Gwynedd on 13th August 2002.