William Edgar Peers was born in 1905, son Cecil William and Harriet Emma Peers, of Leamington Spa, Warwickshire. He was married to Christina Mary Peers, of York.

He was a member of the Royal Air Force Volunteer reserve and was promoted to Pilot Officer on 24 September 1940.

He was a pilot with 58 Squadron, flying Whitley bombers out of Linton on Ouse, in Yorkshire.

On 15 January 1941, P/O Peers and his crew were sent on a mission to Wilhelmshaven. The rest of his crew consisted of P/O M P Griffiths, Sgt H Shipley, Sgt R J Couser DFM and Sgt R F J Duncan.

    58 Sqn RAF

The crew took off in Whitley V N1521 GE-J at 17.35 from their base Linton on Ouse. They were heard on the wireless at 21.45. After that they were intercepted by night fighter Oblt. Egmont Prinz zur Lippe Weissenfeld from 4./NJG1. He was directed by Lt. Jauk at German radar station "Salzhering", close to Den Helder.

Oblt zur Lippe Weissenfeld shot the Whitley down at 22.46. It crashed between Zwanenwater Lake and Callantsoog, just south of Den Helder.

P/O Peers, Sgt Couser and Sgt Duncan are all buried in Amsterdam. P/O Griffith is still missing and is commemorated at the Runnymede Memorial. Sgt. Shipley is buried in Alkmaar Cemetery.

P/O Peers is buried at Plot 69. Row B. Grave 3.

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

See also:
P/O Melville Griffiths
Sgt Howard Shipley
Sgt Robert Duncan
Sgt Robert Couser

Sources:
The gazettes on line

Acknowledgements:
Mr. Dave Cheetham
RAF Squadron crest © Crown Copyright is reproduced with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office

Directions to Amsterdam New Easter Cemetery

Posted 11 July 2005

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This website is dedicated to the men and women who died and/or are buried in The Netherlands during World War II.

 

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