William Monteith Graham
Pre war RAF
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
Son of Henry Gordon Graham and Annie Graham; husband of Jean Catherine Graham, of Colchester, Essex.
Annie Graham died of Puerperal fever soon after William's birth.
William and his elder sister Nancy were sent to live with their Uncle and Aunt at Woodchester, Gloucestershire.
Henry Gordon Graham stayed on in Malaya, retiring to Cameron Highlands, Pahang, Malaysia before being captured and interned by the Japaneses from 1942. Died of heart failure 2 April 1945 at Sime Road Internment Camp, Singapore. Originally buried in Singapore and later repatriated to Patu Gajah, Perak and buried with his wife.
William and Jean married in Colchester 25 September 1940, that evening the church was completely destroyed by a bomb.
Enrolled in the RAF 6 January 1933.
Completed flying training 1934.
Posted 27 Sqdn Waziristan, North West Frontier.
Promoted F/O 1935
Promoted Flt/Lt 1937
Promoted S/Ldr 1939
Promoted Acting Wing Commander November 1940.
Liaison Officer to Polish 304 Sqdn RAF Bramcote.
8/9 May 1941 Wellington R1473 RAF crew flying with Polish 304 Sqn as advisors. Took off 23.08 RAF Syerston to bomb shipyards and city at Bremen, reportedly hit by Flak and damaged. Later claimed shot down by Unteroffizier Reinhard Schmolinsky of the 1./NJG 3, who was flying a Bf 110 from Vechta airfield (KIFA 3/7/1941). R1473 crashed at 02.16 Brumsel, Messinghausen, Germany.
Unknown
Photo of William Monteith Graham