Bill joined the Royal Navy in 1939 at the age of 17 and in 1946 he transferred to the RAF Marine Branch. His career then took him through 1100 MCU Dec 47 to Jan 48 then RAF Pembroke Dock until Mar 51. He was promoted to Cpl whilst serving at 1104 MCU Bridlington until Mar 55 when he moved to RAF Mountbatten for a year.
April 56 saw him fly out to RAF Kai Tak until Oct 58 when he returned to 1100 MCU Alness. In July 60 he moved to MCS Khormaksar for a two year tour returning to 1114 MCU Ramsey for twelve months. Back to RAF Mountbatten then detached to Tenby until Mar 64 when abroad again to Gibraltar. He then served at Newhaven Oct 66 to Nov 67 when RAF Gan beckoned him for the following 12 months. Returning to 1102 MCU Falmouth until May 69 when he returned to 1105 MCU until Dec 70.
His last posting was at 1104 MCU Bridlington where in Sept 73 he retired after 27 years service. Bill married his dearest wife Marie in 1952 at Bridlington where his daughter Leslie was born. He passed his Cox’n 2 on the 8th Nov 54 and became a Cox’n on the 12th Dec 62. Finally becoming a Master Cox’n on the 16th Oct 69 and retiring as a Flt.Sgt.
Bill never forgot his service life and made so many friends.
He passed away aged 83 on 16th September 2005.
His beloved wife Marie sadly passed away on 21st September 2007 aged 90.
The Air Sea Rescue & Marine Craft Section Club 