Page 95 - Sylvia Malt - Side by Side

WILLIAM JAMES DRAY, Leading Aircraftman, Bomber Command,
424 Squadron, RCAF (Royal Canadian Air Force)
1905 - 27th December 1944

William James Dray, born 1905, was the youngest of five children. He married
Jessie Wright in 1934 and the couple set up home in Palm Avenue, Foots Cray
with their two daughters. William was well-known locally in the building trade.

As a member of the Royal Air Force Voluntary Reserve on the out-break of war
William was soon called up. For a time he served on the balloon barrages
before being transferred to the Motor Transport Section and was later
assigned to the ground crew of 424 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force.

424 Squadron was formed at Topcliffe, Yorkshire on 15th October 1942 as a
Bomber Squadron. Originally in No. 4 Group, it was transferred in January
1943 to No. 6 (Royal Canadian Air Force) Group with which it operated until
mid-April 1943 when it became non-operational prior to moving to North Africa
a month or so later.

For just over three months (late June-early October) the Squadron operated
with No. 205 Group from bases in Tunisia, attacking targets in Sicily and Italy.

Returning to the UK in late October/early November 1943, 424 Squadron
rejoined No. 6 Group and was stationed at Skipton-on-Swale, Yorkshire, where
it was based until the end of hostilities in Europe.

Equipped originally with Wellington III aircraft, the Unit gradually changed to
Wellington X aircraft, some of which flew to North Africa. After returning to the
UK, 424 Squadron converted to Halifax III aircraft with which it operated for
nearly a year. Throughout the Squadron's last three months of operations, it
flew Lancaster Bombers.

On 27th December 1944, just two days after the Christmas celebrations,
William Dray was tragically killed whilst on service in Belgium.

In Memoriam: William Dray was buried in Brugge General Cemetery.

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