Downer, William Watson (Pilot Officer)

Born 30 July 1922 at Wybridge, Ontario. Home in Midland, Ontario; enlisted in Hamilton, 20 October 1941. Trained at No.6 ITS (graduated 28 March 1942), No.12 EFTS (graduated 20 June 1942), and No.1 SFTS (wings on 9 October 1942). Commissioned March 1944. Arrived in UK 5 November 1942. After further training, posted to North Africa 27 May 1943. Joined No.93 Squadron on 4 September 1943. Killed in action (Spitfire MH643) 16 April 1944 returning from sortie in failing light over sea, misjudged height and crashed at sea. Grave not known; name on Malta Memorial. 93 Squadron (Ad Arma Parati). Pilot Officer Downer was returning from a patrol over the Anzio Beach Head when his Spitfire aircraft MH 643 went down in the sea north-west of the landing ground at Luqa, Malta. A large search was mounted, the pilots of Spitfire aircraft flew 20 sorties, Beaufighter, Walrus, and Warwick aircraft crews all searched the area to no avail. Addendum: - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.93 Squadron (deceased) - Award effective 15 April 1944 as per London Gazette dated 21 December 1945 and AFRO 155/46 dated 15 February 1946. The citation reads - "Pilot Officer Downer has flown as a pilot with this squadron throughout the Italian campaign. In his first combat in October 1943, he damaged a Messerschmitt 109 and over the Anzio beachhead he destroyed three enemy aircraft in one week. He has since destroyed two more bringing his total victories to five. Pilot Officer Downer has proved himself a keen and determined fighter pilot. He has always shown the utmost keenness to press home his attacks." Detail provided by H. Halliday, Orleans, Ontario.