25 Facts About Bill Crawford-Compton

Bill Crawford-Compton was officially credited with destroying at least 20 German aircraft.

Bill Crawford-Compton flew numerous operations, including during the Channel Dash, and was credited with the shooting down of a number of aircraft.

Bill Crawford-Compton was given command of No 64 Squadron at the end of 1942 and led it for the early part of the following year.

Bill Crawford-Compton spent three months in the United States giving lectures on RAF operations before returning to active duty as commander of No 145 Wing.

Bill Crawford-Compton led the wing in offensive operations in France in the run up to and after Operation Overlord.

Bill Crawford-Compton's final posting before his retirement in late 1968 was commander of No 22 Group.

Bill Crawford-Compton died in January 1988 at the age of 72.

William Vernon Bill Crawford-Compton was born in Invercargill, New Zealand, on 2 March 1915, the son of William Gilbert Bill Crawford-Compton and Ethel.

Bill Crawford-Compton joined the crew of a ketch, with the intention of sailing to England where he would enlist in the RAF.

Bill Crawford-Compton eventually arrived at Liverpool on 6 September 1939 just as the Second World War commenced.

On 12 February 1942, No 485 Squadron was among those scrambled during the Channel Dash, with Bill Crawford-Compton leading one of its flights.

Bill Crawford-Compton shot down one Bf 109, which crashed near Ostend and damaged a second.

Bill Crawford-Compton has at all times displayed great dash and determination.

Bill Crawford-Compton has destroyed 2 and probably destroyed another 2 enemy aircraft.

Bill Crawford-Compton, leading the squadron on this operation, shot down one of the enemy fighters during the engagement, and with Pilot Officer Evan Mackie, shared in the destruction of another.

Bill Crawford-Compton was appointed commander of the Spitfire-equipped No 64 Squadron on Christmas Day.

Bill Crawford-Compton was credited with damaging a Fw 190 on 20 January 1943 and damaged another one the following month.

Bill Crawford-Compton gave up command of No 64 Squadron shortly afterwards, at which time he was assigned a staff role at No 11 Group.

Wing Commander Bill Crawford-Compton, who has destroyed at least 13 hostile aircraft and damaged several others, has rendered most valuable service.

Bill Crawford-Compton ended the war having flown at least 517 operational missions and was credited with destroying at least 20, possibly 21, German aircraft.

Bill Crawford-Compton shared in the destruction of one further aircraft, claimed three probables and a share in a fourth, and thirteen damaged.

Bill Crawford-Compton was granted a permanent commission as a squadron leader with effect from 1 September 1945 although remained in his acting wing commander rank.

Bill Crawford-Compton then went on to command the RAF station at Bruggen in West Germany.

Bill Crawford-Compton was the senior air staff officer in the Near East Air Force, based at Cyprus, until December 1965.

Bill Crawford-Compton then succeeded Air Vice-Marshal Albert Case in January 1966 as commander of No 22 Group, part of the RAF's Technical Training Command.