The Airmen's Stories - P/O W A Ponting
William Alan Ponting was born in October 1909 in Friern Barnet, Middlesex, the son of William Robert Ponting and Ada Ponting (nee Simkins).
His father had a long career in insurance. He worked for New York Life and ran WR Ponting Ltd.
WA Ponting seems to have worked for his father's firm. He joined the RAFVR in May 1940, with a direct-entry commission as an Air Gunner. With his training completed, he went to 5 OTU Aston Down on 18th June, converted to Defiants and then joined 264 Squadron at Duxford on 9th July.
Following a combat with Ju88s and Me109s over the Channel off Thanet on 24th August Ponting and his pilot, P/O JT Jones, were reported 'Missing'.
Their Defiant, L6966, is believed to have been shot down into the sea by Major Lutzow of JG3.
Ponting was 30. His name is on the Runnymede Memorial, panel 9.
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