The Airmen's Stories - P/O W Towers-Perkins

William Tower-Perkins was born on 15th May 1918 in Isleworth Middlesex and educated at Cardinal Vaughan School and Queen Mary College, London. He learned to fly as a member of the University Air Squadron. Called up in November, he was commissioned on the 18th.

With his training completed, Towers-Perkins joined 238 Squadron at Middle Wallop on 13th July 1940. He arrived at 6 OTU on attachment on 3rd August and, after converting to Hurricanes, he rejoined 238 on the 20th.

Towers-Perkins was shot down in action with Ju88’s south of Tunbridge Wells on 11th September 1940. He baled out, wounded and burned, and was admitted to the Kent & Sussex Hospital, Tunbridge Wells. His Hurricane, P3096, is believed to have come down near Withyham, Sussex.

He left on 30th October 1940 and was transferred to East Grinstead. It would appear from the records that he was in and out of East Grinstead throughout 1941 and early 42, probably for reconstructive surgery under McIndoe.

He was discharged from East Grinstead to the RAF Hospital at Torquay on 6th May 1942 before being readmitted to East Grinstead on 8th August 1942 for treatment to old burns to his face and hands.

It is clear from this that he suffered for several years after being shot down and probably for the rest of his life.

Towers-Perkins was a founder-member and the first secretary of the Guinea Pig Club.

He was released from the RAF in 1946.

Towers-Perkins died in March 2001 in Windsor.