Picton, William Frederick (Warrant Officer 2nd Class)

Prisoner of War 1944-May-02

Male Head

Birth Date: unkown date

Born:

Parents:

Spouse:

Home:

Enlistment:

Enlistment Date: unkown date

Service

RCAF

Unit

51 (B) Sqn- Squadron (RAF)
Swift And Sure

Base

Rank

Warrant Officer 2nd Class

Position

Navigator

Service Numbers

R/152375
PoW: 3794

Target
Google MapMechelen

Took off from Snaith at 22:12 in Halifax Mk III (Sqn code: MH-Z Bomber Command)on an operation to Mechelen in Antwerpen province to bomb the rail yards.

Homeward-bound, the aircraft was damaged by a night fighter and crashed at Kruipendaarde, West-Vlaanderen Holland

Four of the crew stayed with the aircraft after the flak hit and all were killed when it crashed: Sergeant Frederick James Arbon RAF KIA Wevelgem Communal Cemetery Grave E. 454., Belgium Sergeant Ronald Claxton RAF KIA Wevelgem Communal Cemetery Grave E. 456. Flight Sergeant George Robert French RAF KIA Wevelgem Communal Cemetery Grave E. 453. Flight Sergeant James David Oxenburgh DFM RAF KIA Wevelgem Communal Cemetery Grave E. 455.

POWs includes Picton: Sergeant Thomas William Richards RAF POW Stalag 357 Kopernikus. Sergeant Alfred Louis Westcar RAF POW Stalag 357 Kopernikus.