Like many thousands of other young men, Ron and Reg joined the Royal Air Force during the Second World War. Ron trained and flew as a navigator in a Beaufighter bomber, assigned to 252 Squadron, and took part in many bombing operations. Reg, unable to fly due to a minor hearing issue, served as a radar operator.
Their different roles kept them apart for most of the war, although they did manage to meet up in Italy, which, I imagine, must have been a wonderful reunion.
Ron and Reg were identical twins, and on joining the RAF, their parents gave them both a "Lucky Horseshoe" pendant to keep them safe. Both survived the war and were able to return to their families in Kilmarnock, where they worked within K Shoes before relocating to Kendal.
I am grateful for the photographs entrusted to me since my Dad's passing and delighted to share them with this project and the University of Oxford.
Item list and details
1. Ron and Crew Members
2. Bristol Beaufighter
3. Ron in German Aircraft near Tobruk
4. Squadron site, Mersa Matrum
5. Misc Photographs
6. R.P. Beaufighter MK X
7. Wellington Over Aegean
8. Misc Photographs
9. Crest Of 252 Squadron, Stan and Ron
10. Officers' Mess
11. Greek Spitfire Squadron over outskirts of Athens
12. Squadron band (Airmen's Mess, Athens)
13. Airmen in Squadron Club
14. S.S. City Of Leicester
15. Over Taranta Harbour, Italy
16. H.M.S. Ajax
17. H.M.S. King George V
18. Attacking German Headquarters at Galino
19. Attack on S.S. Carola and escort vessels, Sept 6th 1944
20. Attack on German supply vessels at Andros
21. A "Fry-Up"
22. A "Brew-Up"
23. Attacking Gun Positions at Melos on 4th May 1945
24. Pireus harbour (Athens)
25. Gulf Of Corinth
26. Misc Photographs
27. Some of the boys at the Acropolis
28. W/C D.O.Butler, D.F.C.
29. Squadron Air Crew Officers, Athens May 1945
30. Victory Celebration Formation Flying over Athens
31. Victory Celebration Formation Flying over Athens
32. Beaufighter near Levadmia
33. Ron and Reg in Rome
34. Ron and Reg in Rome
35. Misc Photos
36. Newspaper cutting (Epic of 252 Squadron)
37. Sketch Map of Cyprus
38. Ron
39. Floating On the Dead Sea
40. Bill and George
41. Royal Yacht Club
42. Royal Yacht Club
43. Ron and friend
44. Some of the Boys
45. Christmas 1944
46. At The Races
47. "J" for Johnny, returning from the Aegean ( shot down the following day)
48. J is for Johnny
49. "G" is for George
50. At Mersa Matrum Harbour on Boxing Day 1944
51. At Mersa Matrum Harbour on Boxing Day 1944
52. Scottish Red Cross Convalescent Home.
53. Ron, Scottish Red Cross Convalescent Home.
54. Ron, Scottish Red Cross Convalescent Home.
55. 252 Squadron, Christmas Menu 1944
56. 252 Squadron, Christmas Menu 1944Person the story/items relate to
Ron and Reg WilliamsPerson who shared the story/items
Steve WilliamsRelationship between the subject of the story and its contributor
Ron was my Grandfather"Grandpa". Reg was my Great Uncle.Type of submission
Shared online via the Their Finest Hour project website.Record ID
122236
