The Airmen's Stories - P/O W D Williams

William Dudley Williams was born on 15th April 1915 in East Grinstead, Sussex. He was educated at Bowden House, Seaford and Chillion College in Switzerland.

Williams joined the RAFVR about April 1938 as an Airman u/t Pilot and was called to full-time service at the outbreak of war.

He joined 152 Squadron at Acklington in May 1940.

On 13th August Williams damaged a Me110, on the 18th destroyed a Ju87, on 25th September destroyed a Ju88 and a Me110, on the 26th damaged a Me109 and on the 27th and 30th destroyed two Me110s and shared another.

Williams was awarded the DFC (gazetted 7th January 1941).

He damaged a Ju88 on 14th March 1941. In October 1941 Williams was posted away to 59 OTU Crosby-on-Eden as an instructor.

He married Mary Rainey-Robinson on 27th December 1941 at St. Martins Church, Dorchester.

Above: Williams is fourth from left

He commanded 121 (Eagle) Squadron from 1st August to 29th September 1942, when it was transferred to the USAAF as 355 (Pursuit) Squadron.

F/Lt. J Daley DFC, Williams and F/Lt. SR Edner of 121 Squadron.

Williams commanded 615 Squadron at Feni, India from January to March 1943. He was released from the RAF in 1945 as a Squadron Leader.

His portrait was made by Cuthbert Orde in December 1940.

Postwar he was a member of Lloyds.

Williams died in Sussex on 29th March 1976.