The March of Time
These three photographs show how William went from a fresh faced young boy eager to experience life to a care worn man who had been through too much in just three long years.
Here he is just 20 years old, newly qualified as an Air Gunner and ready, in his own mind at least, to go to war.
Still a few days before his 21st birthday this is the photograph he will never need. It was taken to produce the false ID papers that the Escape Lines would make for evading airmen.
Now at only 23, but looking so very much older, this is William at the wedding of his sister-in-law Jean Mary Bestwick at the beginning of the year.
Never believe anyone who claims that those who die or are wounded in the war were the only ones who paid a high price. Very few, if any, return from armed conflict unscathed.