William Matheson was born in 1921, son of John and Janet M. Matheson, of Port Glasgow, Renfrewshire.  William was an air gunner on a Wellington III bomber with 101 Squadron.

Sergeant Matheson was part of a crew, consisting of

F/S Edour Fortin RCAF
F/S David Phillip Roberts RCAF
Sgt Lisle Douglas Firminger
Sgt William Matheson
Sgt George Charles Morffew
Sgt Eric Albert Thomas

101 Squadron

On 21-22 July 1942, they took off in Wellington III X3312 SR-U from their base Bourne. Their target was the German city of Duisburg. 291 planes were sent out on a moonless night, in the hope to hinder the German night fighters. Flak over the target was reported less fierce than normal. The decision to fly on a moonless night to try to thwart the German night fighters was proven needless as most bombers were shot down by German fighters. Wellington 3312 SR-U was lost without trace over the North Sea.

Flight Sergeant Fortin and Sergeant Morffew were recovered and are buried in Amsterdam. Sergeant Matheson is buried in Noordwijk.

Flight Sergeant Roberts, Sergeant Firminger and Sergeant Thomas are still MIA and are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.

Sergeant Matheson was 21 and is buried at Noordwijk General Cemetery, Plot 1. Joint grave 9.

"When I Awake
I Am Still With Thee"
Psalm CXXXIX.18

Noordwijk, The Netherlands

See also:
Sgt George Charles Morffew
F/S Edour Fortin
Fl Sgt David Phillip Roberts
Sgt Lisle Douglas Firminger
Sgt Eric Albert Thomas

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

Directions to Noordwijk General Cemetery

Posted 11 May 2009

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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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