Medal-winning air gunner dies at 94
THE funeral service was held on Wednesday for a 94-year-old West Norfolk man who was one of the first airmen to serve at RAF Marham at the outbreak of World War II.
William Phillips, who died at his home in Tilney St Lawrence on January 10 after suffering pneumonia, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal in 1943 for his gallantry as a rear-gunner on heavy bombers.
He was presented with his medal by King George VI at Buckingham Palace.
Mr Phillips joined 214 Squadron after enlisting in the RAF in 1935 and was sent to the newly-built RAF Feltwell in April 1937.
When war was declared in September 1939, he was transferred to RAF Marham, which was then undergoing major expansion into an important bomber base.
While at Marham, he met his future wife, Dulcie Banyard, who worked at the former East Anglian Hotel in Lynn. He was also promoted to the rank of flight sergeant.
Average life expectancy for aircrews was just 12 missions when he got the DFM.
A newspaper report at the time said: “As an air gunner, this airman has been engaged on operational flying since December 1939.
“In April 1940, his aircraft was one of a formation which was attacked over Stavanger by 40 enemy aircraft. In the ensuing engagement, Flt Sgt Phillips acquitted himself with skill.
“In June 1940, during a return flight from western Germany, his aircraft was caught in a concentration of searchlights and subjected to heavy fire.
“Displaying great coolness and accuracy of fire, Flt Sgt Phillips succeeded in extinguishing many of the searchlights and greatly assisted his pilot in evading the defences. This airman has displayed a high degree of courage and fortitude.”
His missions included the notorious 1,000-bomber raids over Germany that helped defeat Hitler’s Nazi war machine. He was also on the controversial raids on Dresden in February 1945 that saw the city destroyed by a blanket bombing firestorm.
By the end of the war, he had been promoted to flight lieutenant. He served in India briefly before leaving the RAF in 1947.
After initially buying a smallholding in Tilney St Lawrence for himself and his family, Mr Phillips got a job at Cooper Roller Bearings in South Lynn, where he stayed until retiring in 1981.
A keen sportsman, he played football and cricket for local teams, and later bowls and dominoes.
Mr Phillips leaves his widow, four children, 17 grandchildren, 37 great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter.
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Sunday 27 May 2012
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