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Our ace airman is farewelled at 92
By Andrew Stackpool
Volume 49, No. 13, July 26, 2007 |
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ACE: Painting of FLTLT Norman Francis Williams.
Photo courtesy of the Australian War Memorial ID: ART27515 |
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Australia’s most decorated non-commissioned airman died recently. FLTLT Norman Francis Williams (ret’d) was buried at Barham, NSW, on July 4, just a few weeks shy of his 93rd birthday.
WOFF Howden Farrar, the Air Force Training Group Warrant Officer, represented CAF at the funeral.
In May, 1941, Norman Williams enlisted in the RAAF and was posted to the UK in March, 1942. He served with 10SQN (RAF) and 35SQN (RAF) as a tail gunner in Halifax bombers.
He received the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross (Flying) and Distinguished Flying Medal and Bar and was commissioned because of his awards.
In 1944, he returned to Australia and joined 23SQN, flying B-24 Liberators against Japanese forces until the war ended.
In 1947, FLTLT Williams posted to 81WG HQ in Japan and was promoted to acting SQNLDR. He demobilised in May, 1948.
In 1952, Mr Williams re-enlisted and served in Singapore, Japan and Korea. He resigned on September 23, 1954, and purchased a rice farm.
FLTLT Williams’ story will feature in a future edition of AIR FORCE News. |
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