The Airmen's Stories - S/Ldr. C W Williams

Cedric Watcyn Williams was born in South Wales on 1st February 1910, the son of Gwilym Thomas Williams and Margaret Ada Williams (nee Evans).

He was educated at Maesydderwen County School. He joined the RAF in September 1926 as an Aircraft Apprentice and passed out in August 1929 as a Fitter.

He was awarded a cadetship at RAF College Cranwell and entered there as a Flight Cadet in September 1929. On graduation in July 1931 he joined 32 Squadron at Kenley. He was posted to 84 Squadron at Shaibah, Iraq on 28th February 1933.

Williams returned to the UK in early 1935 and on 20th February he joined the staff at 3 Armament Training Camp at Sutton Bridge.

On 30th March 1936 Williams went to the staff at RAF College, Cranwell and moved to the Deputy Directorate of Intelligence at Air Ministry on 14th July 1938.

He had married Ellinor Louisa Morgan in Ystradgynlais, Breconshire in July 1937.

He arrived at 5 OTU Aston Down on 23rd June 1940 for a refresher course. After converting to Hurricanes Williams took command of 17 Squadron at Debden on 18th July.

Above: pilots of 17 Squadron in 1940

L to R: P/O DH Wissler, P/O JK Ross, F/O HAC Bird-Wilson, S/Ldr. CW Williams, Sgt. DA Sewell

He claimed a Do17 destroyed on 18th August, shared two Ju88s on the 21st, shared a He111 on the 24th and destroyed a Me110 on the 25th.

On 25th August Williams was killed when his port mainplane was shot off in a head-on attack by a Me110. His Hurricane, R4199, crashed into the sea.

Williams, who was 30, was not found and is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial, Panel 4.

Above image courtesy of Dean Sumner.