大象传媒

At age thirteen (1938)Bill saw an aircraft fly overhead as he worked on the family farm with his Father and Brother at Corlecky, Ballybofey, Co. Donegal in the Republic of Ireland. An unusual sight. Bill recalled that the 'plane was flying so low that he could see the pilot. After that sighting Bill made up his mind that his ambition was to fly aeroplanes.

RAF Squadron Leader Ernest Kee, Stranorlar, Co. Donegal sent Bill magazines and information regarding RAF training and life in the early years of World War 2. In 1944 Bill and a friend, Benny Gordon, Ballybofey volunteered for service at the Royal Air Force recruiting base in Belfast, the only positions available were machine gunners so both of them came home. Due to family commitments Benny did not join the forces. Bill was offered the position of Pilot
Officer some time later and went off to train at Tangmere, East Sussex. Training with him at the time was his cousin William Patton, Corlecky who became a ground crew man with the RAF.

After training Bill was assigned to 48 Squadron RAF and started off in India moving through Asia finally ending up at Changi air base. Bill recalled hearing of D Day in Europe while in Singapore. The tropical heat, the monsoon rain and the speed at which the jungle could regenerate growth were part of his recollections.

Following the defeat of Japan one of Bill's tasks was to airlift surviving Prisoners of War out of the Japanese Camps. Bill recalled that he averaged that each person being air lifted would weigh eighty eight pounds and could therefore estimate how many people to lift.

After dudties in the Far East the Squadron was moved to Germany where Bill took part in the Berlin Air Lifts. He recalled seeing the U.S. General George S. Patton.

Bill rejoined the Royal Air Force after World War 2 and served in the Korean War. He finally left the RAF in 1954. His interest in aeroplanes continued and he continued to fly light aircraft throughout his life.

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