John Edwin Ashley Williams
| John Edwin Ashley Williams | |
|---|---|
Flight Lieutenant John Williams, c.1941–42
|
|
| Nickname(s) | "Willy" |
| Born |
6 May 1919 Wellington, New Zealand |
| Died | 29 March 1944 (aged 24) near Sagan, Germany |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/branch | Royal Air Force |
| Years of service | 1938–1944 |
| Rank | Squadron Leader |
| Unit |
No. 112 Squadron RAF No. 94 Squadron RAF No. 260 Squadron RAF |
| Commands held | No. 450 Squadron RAAF |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards |
Distinguished Flying Cross Mentioned in Despatches |
Squadron Leader John Edwin Ashley "Willy" Williams, DFC (6 May 1919 – 29 March 1944) was an Australian air ace during the Second World War. He served in the Middle East and North Africa with the Royal Air Force (RAF), and was among the Allied prisoners of war (POWs) murdered by the Gestapo following "The Great Escape" in 1944. He commanded No. 450 Squadron of the Royal Australian Air Force for three days, before he was captured in 1942.
Willams, who was born to Australian parents in Wellington, New Zealand, was from Sydney. According to one source, he grew up in or near the beachside suburb of Manly and was a champion surfer.
Willams travelled to the United Kingdom where he joined the RAF as a pilot officer on a short service commission in 1938.
On 14 August 1939 Williams was promoted to acting flight lieutenant, relinquishing the rank on 27 October 1939, and was made a substantive flying officer on 17 August 1940. One year later to the day, he was made a substantive Flight Lieutenant.
On 11 April 1942, Williams received his first combat posting, when he joined No. 112 Squadron RAF, part of the Desert Air Force (DAF), flying P-40 Kittyhawks. Over the next two months, he also served with No. 94 Squadron RAF and No. 260 Squadron RAF.
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