LEST WE FORGET
Flight Lieutenant George Edward WILLIAMSON DFC
Service No: 426933
Born: Rockhampton QLD, 25 July 1916
Enlisted in the RAAF: 15 August 1942 (at Brisbane QLD)
Awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC), 29 December 1944 (Citation Title: No. 186 Squadron)
Unit: No. 186 Squadron (RAF), RAF Tuddenham, Norfolk
Died: Air Operations (No. 186 Squadron Lancaster aircraft HK622), Germany, 20 November 1944, Aged 28 Years
Buried: Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, Kleve, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany
CWGC Additional Information: Son of George and Lucy Ann Williamson, of Bundaberg, Queensland, Australia
Roll of Honour: Bundaberg QLD
Remembered: Panel 132, Commemorative Area, Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT
Remembered: World War II Honour Roll, National War Memorial of SA, North Terrace, Adelaide
Flight Lieutenant Williamson enlisted in the RAAF at Brisbane Queensland; the reason his name is listed on the SA War Memorial is not clear.
DFC Citation: “In November 1944, this officer was the pilot of an aircraft detailed to attack Hamburg. When approaching the target the aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire. Both the port engines were disabled and only one of the propellers could be feathered. The port petrol tanks were pierced and much of the contents seeped into the wing and fuselage. The aircraft lost height but Flying Officer Williamson continued his run to execute a good bombing attack. Afterwards, course was set for base. The aircraft was still gradually losing height and Flying Officer Williamson was unable to maintain his place with the main bombing force. A little later the aircraft was again hit. The petrol supply was becoming diminished and it was apparent that England could not be reached. Course was altered and eventually FO Williamson effected a masterly landing in a waterlogged field in friendly territory. In most harassing circumstances this officer displayed skill, courage and tenacity of a high standard. (London Gazette 29/12/1944, Page 5954)
Lancaster HK622 took off from RAF Tuddenham at 1237 hours on the 20th November1944, detailed to bomb Homberg, Germany. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it failed to return to base. A Missing Research & Enquiry team reported later: “The aircraft was shot down by heavy anti-aircraft fire and exploded in the air at Baerl, 4 to 5 kms north east of Moers at 1515 hours on 20th November.” All the crew members were killed.
The crew members of HK622 were:
Flight Sergeant Wallace Patrick Burton (432748) (Mid Upper Gunner)
Flight Sergeant Herbert Keith Coombe (433197) (Rear Gunner)
Sergeant Arthur Ernest Piggin (976406) (RAFVR) (Flight Engineer)
Warrant Officer Arthur Edward Jarvis Stiles (423349) (Wireless Operator Air)
Flight Sergeant Kenneth Henry Turner (1458457) (RAFVR) (Navigator)
Flight Lieutenant George Edward Williamson DFC (426933) (Pilot)
Flying Officer Edward Winton (153353) (RAFVR) (Air Bomber)
References:
Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour On-Line Records (RAAF Casualty Information compiled by Alan Storr (409804))
Commonwealth War Graves Commission On-Line Records
Department of Veteran’s Affairs On-Line WWII Nominal Roll
National Archives of Australia On-Line Record A705, 166/43/973