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Lot

№ 520

.

25 September 2019

Hammer Price:
£550

Six: Squadron Leader R. J. Williams, Royal Air Force, a Lancaster navigator who flew in at least 30 operational sorties with 576 Squadron during the Second War, before going on to serve post-war with 99 and 105 Squadrons

1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Cyprus (Flt. Lt. R. J. Williams. R.A.F.); General Service 1962-2007, 1 clasp, Radfan (Flt. Lt. R. J. Williams R.A.F.) mounted as worn, generally very fine (6) £200-£240

Richard John Williams was born in Penmaenmawr, Wales in December 1921. He joined the Royal Air Force as a Boy in January 1938, and advanced to Temporary Sergeant in September 1941. Originally mustered as an Instrument Maker, Williams remustered as a navigator in September 1943. He was commissioned Pilot Officer in the same month, and advanced to Flying Officer in March 1944.

Williams was posted for operational service with 576 Squadron (Lancasters) at Elsham Wolds in 1944. He flew in at least 30 operational sorties with the Squadron, between August 1944 - January 1945, including: Douai; Fontaine les Pins; Le Culot; Rheime Ertwelde; Russelheim; Stettin (2), including 31 August 1944, when aircraft was damaged by flak; Eindhoven; Le Havre (3); Saarbrucken; Emerich; Duisburg; Essen (2); Cologne; Walcheren; Dusseldorf; Bochum; Dortmund (2), including 29 November 1944, when aircraft was damaged by flak; Duren; Wanne Eickel; Urft Dam; Karlsruhe; Ludwigshafen, 15 December 1944, when aircraft was damaged by flak; Ulm; Bonn and Nuremburg.

Williams advanced to Flight Lieutenant in March 1947, subsequent service included with 99 Squadron from April 1956, and with 105 Squadron at Khormaksar from April 1964. Williams retired as Squadron Leader, and died in Battle Hospital, Reading, in May 1976.

Sold with copied service records.