WILLIAMS, Basil Alfred
| Service Number: | 416164 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 31 March 1941, Adelaide |
| Last Rank: | Flight Lieutenant |
| Last Unit: | Not yet discovered |
| Born: | Adelaide, South Australia, 22 October 1912 |
| Home Town: | Unley, Unley, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Not yet discovered |
| Died: | Natural causes, Unley Park, South Australia, 30 April 1999, aged 86 years |
| Cemetery: |
Centennial Park Cemetery, South Australia Harmony, Wall 100, Niche C008 |
| Memorials: |
World War 2 Service
| 31 Mar 1941: | Involvement Flight Lieutenant, 416164 | |
|---|---|---|
| 31 Mar 1941: | Enlisted Adelaide | |
| 31 Mar 1941: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Lieutenant, 416164 | |
| 27 Aug 1943: | Honoured Distinguished Flying Cross |
Help us honour Basil Alfred Williams's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Julianne Ryan
Rootsweb ID: I698888 Birth Record: 22 Oct 1912 in North Adelaide, South Australia.
Next of Kin: Louise Williams
31/3/1941 enlisted into RAAF at Adelaide, SA
With his initial training completed, he began his flying training, and graduated with his pilots wings – after qualifying on multi-engine aircraft, holding the rank of Flying Officer.
He embarked to England, with the Australian ANZAC Squadron, attached to the RAF Coastal Command.
Flying Officer Gross and Sergeants Moser and Owen were navigator, armourer/air gunner and flight engineer respectively of an aircraft captained by Flying Officer Williams detailed for a flight in August 1943. Whilst over the Bay of Biscay the aircraft was attacked by 7 enemy aircraft. In the ensuing engagement, which lasted an hour, flying Officer Williams fought with great skill and determination. The aircraft was repeatedly hit and when the inter-communication system was putout of action, Flying Officer Gross, though wounded, did everything he could to keep his Captain informed of the enemy’s tactics. The starboard main petrol tank was pierced and Sergeant Moser crawled into the mainplane and attempted to stop the leak.
He afterwards manned the galley gun, relieving Sergeant Owen who had fought with great resolution and remained at his post although wounded in the knee by cannon fire, and assisted in frustrating many attacks. Flying Officer Williams succeeded in flying the damaged aircraft to base being greatly assisted by Flying Officer Gross, whose navigation in difficult circumstances was of a high order. In the face of trying circumstances these members of the aircraft crew displayed great courage, skill and determination.
(By 416164 Flying Officer Basil Alfred Williams and 285147 Flying Officer Reginald William Stuart Gross DFC.)
Flight Lieutenant in General Reconnaissance School
For his outstanding courage and his firm devotion to duty and to the men he flew with during this action, Flying Officer Basil Alfred Williams was awarded and decorated with the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC).
27/8/1943 London Gazette - Awarded "Distinguished Flying Cross"
for courage over Bay of Biscay when aircraft was attacked.
21/6/1945 discharged from service
30/4/1999 passed away
cremated: Centennial Park Cemetery, Pasadena, SA
Harmony, Wall 100, Niche C008;
Interment Right Expiry 24/04/2020
Sourced and submitted by Julianne T Ryan. 7/6/2016. Lest we forget.
Click images to start slideshow.