Born in Tilbury the son of Gordon Stewart Richardson (ex-mayor of Tilbury)  and Jean Pearl Richardson, brother to Stephen and Jean of Tilbury, Ontario, Canada. William attended public and high school in Tilbury and Assumption College in Windsor.

Appears on the “Muster Roll” of the 2^nd Bn., Kent Regiment (MG), N.P.A.N. (date unknown). William would transfer to the RCAF.

William was home on a week-end leave from the RCAF Manning Depot – Toronto. TT 13/02/41.

In March of 1941 was home on leave from RCAF St. Thomas ATS (Air Training Scheme). TT 13/03/41. William was home on leave this time from Quebec City TT17/07/41. In May of 1941 William was stationed at St. Thomas, RCAF Air Training Station. In April of 1941 AC. William was still stationed at St. Thomas. TT 29/05/41 and 16/07/41. In September of 1941 William was on a fourteen day furlough from Moncton, NB. At his families home and he returned to Moncton, NB. TT 11 and 25/09/41.

It was reported that LAC Richardson was home from Moncton, NB. on furlough to celebrate Christmas with his parents and family in 1941. TT22/01/42. William was training at RCAF Moncton, NB. when he was given a short leave to visit his parents. TT 7/05/42. He was then transferred  to No 2 I.T.S – Victoriaville, PQ. TT 9/07/42. In August of 1942 William was stationed at I.T.S Victoriaville, PQ. TT6/08/42.  The CDN 7/07/42 reported that William was on a three week furlough at No.3 I.T.S. –Victoriaville, PQ.

After a weeks leave William was posted to E.F.S. (Elementary Flying School) at Cap-de-la-Madeleine near Three Rivers, PQ. TT20/08/42.

He was then transferred  to No 2 I.T.S – Victoriaville, PQ. TT 9/07/42, completing the same course for the second time. In August of 1942 William was stationed at I.T.S Victoriaville, PQ. TT6/08/42. After a weeks leave William was posted to E.F.S. (Elementary Flying School) at Cap-de-la-Madeleine near Three Rovers, PQ. TT20/08/42.

In June of 1943 P/O Richardson had just completed his final operational course at Bagotville, PQ. He had been home to see his parents. TT 10/06/43 departing on 17/06/43.

The CDN 14/06/43(P) reported the young airman enlisted in the RCAF ground crew (aero-engine) in January, 1941 when he re-mustered to the air-crew in August 1942. He trained at Toronto, St. Thomas, Moncton NB., Can de Madeleine, PQ. and St, Hubert’s. He was starting nine weeks’ operational training course at Bagotville, PQ.    The young F/O. was stationed overseas reporting to his parents that he had been promoted effective in September 1^st. He had arrived in England on 22 June.

The CDN 29/02/44 reported that P/O. Richardson had been awarded the British Star medal “in recognition of his operational work over occupied Europe”. William was flying one of the Allies newest fighter-bombers the Typhoon, which gained the reputation of “Tank Killer” in the last years of the war. The young pilot was modest in a letter to his parents saying he was not excited about the decoration as thousands of airmen got them (an exaggeration) but typically Canadian. JRH

It was 8 September 1944 at 10:30 that Mr. and Mrs. Richardson received the message no parent wanted “their younger son Flying Officer William Richardson had been killed in action overseas. He had completed the necessary number of missions over enemy territory to entitle him to a furlough in Canada. He however wanted to stay in the fight. CDN 8/09/44 (P).    

Age: 22, DOAA – Date of Death: 06/09/1944, in a Typhoon fighter-bomber, collided with another over England. F/O Richardson lost his life when his Typhoon # MN 947 burst a tire on take-off then collided with a parked Typhoon and burned at Manston, Kent England.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Sources	“The Tilbury Story 1887 -1987”. Index of Overseas Deaths. They Shall Grow Not Old, many TT articles. RLC, 2KRMR
Supplemental Information	Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead, Grave/Memorial Reference: 43. I. 9. Cemetery: BROOKWOOD MILITARY CEMETERY.

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