The Airmen's Stories - P/O T D Williams

Thomas Draper Williams was born in St. Helens, Lancashire on 2nd September 1919, the son of a bank manager. He later lived in Liverpool and attended Rydal School, Colwyn Bay. He then went to Liverpool University and gained a Bachelor of Law degree with honours.

He was articled to Laces & Co. Liverpool.

He joined 611 Squadron Auxiliary Air Force at Speke in early 1939. Williams was called to full-time service at the outbreak of war and was posted to 2 FTS Brize Norton on 7th October 1939 for No. 42 Course, which ran from 9th October to 23rd March 1940.

Above: P/O JRG Sutton, P/O TD Williams, P/O WP Barrell (not BoB).

He rejoined 611 Squadron on 6th April. On 15th September Williams probably destroyed a Do17 and on 11th October he shared a Do17.

On 7th May and 19th June 1941 he destroyed Me109s and on 26th June he probably destroyed another. The Me109 shot down on 7th May was attempting to attack a British bomber, damaged by flak. Williams escorted it back to the English coast at low level.

He was awarded the DFC (gazetted 15th July 1941).

On 23rd July 1941 Williams was posted to 602 Squadron at Kenley as a Flight Commander. On 3rd August he destroyed a Me109, on the 9th he probably destroyed a Me109, on the 16th damaged another and on 17th September he destroyed a Me109.

With his tour completed, Williams was posted to 51 OTU Debden, presumably as an instructor. He was later posted to Freetown, subsequently commanding a unit at Takoradi, which assembled aircraft and arranged for them to be ferried to North Africa.

In 1943 Williams returned to the UK and did an instructors course at CFS. In April 1944 he joined No. 1 Squadron at North Weald, as a supernumerary Flight Lieutenant.

Williams joined 504 Squadron at Manston in early 1945 and in August he took command of 245 Squadron at Colerne.

Williams was released from the RAF in 1946 as a Squadron Leader. He returned to Liverpool and practised as a solicitor there.

He died on 19th September 2004.