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| 75 Squadron, RAF, 21/7/1943 |
The Short Stirling was the first of the Royal Air Force's four-engined heavy bombers to go into action. Therefore it was an older design by the middle of World War Two and one of the design parameters, meant to keep the plane's weight down, resulted in a wingspan which was too short to gain the altitude needed for safety - though crews found they could out-turn enemy night fighters if they were able to see them in time.
Allan Mcwilliam was trained at the 4th Air Observers School, RCAF, at London, Ontario and joined 75 Squadron, RAF. He was navigator on board a Stirling which was one of 20 of 75 Squadron sent to attack Wuppertal on May 29, 1943. His Stirling was one of four which failed to return. It was brought down by anti-aircraft fire - or possibly a night-fighter - near the village of Gladbeck, not far from the target. It still had its bomb load, which exploded on impact, killing all on board.
Allan McWilliam was buried with his crew at Galdbeck and their remains were later relocated to the Reichswald Forest War Cemetery at Kleve.
In Memoriam
McWILLIAM. — In proud and loving memory of Sergeant Navigator Allan McWilliam, who lost his life on operations over Germany on May 30, 1943. — Inserted by his loving mother, father, Irene. Alex., and Peter (overseas). -Otago Daily Times, 30/5/1944.
Hampden Cemetery.
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