Bill was born June 8, 1916 in Brandon, Manitoba, the son of William James and Ada Burden.
Bill enlisted in the Royal Canadian Airforce on December 23, 1939 at Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. On his attestation he showed a permanent address as 666 E44th Avenue Vancouver, British Columbia and his current address as 151 14th Street Brandon, Manitoba. His service number was R556646 and he was posted to 112 Squadron and his trade was listed as Motor Mechanic Motor Transport (MMMT) and became a Truck Driver.
Bill's Drivers License below.
Bill married Sarah Lawson Course (Sally) on January 31, 1940 in Winnipeg.
Shortly before leaving for Ottawa on June 29, 1940 Bill saw the birth of his first son Ted.
Bill went overseas with the 2nd Squadron on November 12, 1940.
Bill joined the R.C.A.F. 402 "City of Winnipeg" Squadron overseas in June 1941
On Friday June 20, 1941 Bill attended a First Anniversary Dinner for Squadrons 401 and 402. Bill kept a souvenir menu from the dinner which had been signed by all his squadron mates. it appears to be a typical meager wartime menu.
Bill was wounded in the upper left leg on October 26, 1942 and was sent to Ealing Hospital until November 2, 1942 and was then transfered to #14 Canadian Hospital to recover until November 13, 1942.
Bill served the duration of the War with service towards completion of engagement 5 years and 66 days in the folowing countries:
Canada - 23 December 1939 to 7 June 1940
United Kingdom - 8 June 1940 to 26 November 1944
Canada - 27 November 1944 to 26 February 1945.
Bill was discharged in Vancouver, British Columbia on February 26, 1945 with the rank of Corporal.
Bill was awarded the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with clasp.
A circular, silver medal, 1.42 inches in diameter. The medal is linked to a straight suspender by a small ring passing through a small fixed ring at the top of the medal. On the obverse of the medal, seven marching figures are depicted, representing men and women of the Army, Air Force, Navy and Nursing service; and around the rim, the inscription 1939 CANADA 1945 VOLUNTARY SERVICE VOLONTAIRE.
The reverse shows the coat of arms of Canada. The ribbon is 1.25 inches wide with a royal blue centre flanked by two equal stripes of scarlet and dark green. The ribbon was issued during the war; the medal after the war. A silver bar (often called a clasp), a maple leaf at its centre, was awarded for 60 days service outside Canada. A silver maple leaf is worn on the ribbon in undress.
Bill and Sally had two more children, a son Bob and a daughter Billie.
Bill joined the Vancouver Fire Department in 1946. he retired from the Fire Department in 1976 and at that time he was a Battalion Chief.
Bill passed away on July 26, 1981 on Mayne Island, British Columbia.