CRAIG, WILLIAM R-277687

William 'Bill' Craig

William James Craig was born December 17, 1925 at Maple Island, son of James Edward and Rosa Maud (Wager) Craig.

William ‘Bill’ was in the air force and was stationed in Holland, amongst other places. The story is told that Bill wanted to be a pilot, but every time he went to fly he got a nosebleed – so he became a cook.

William Craig pass May 1946

At the time of this pass, Bill was stationed at R.C.A.F. Odiham, an air base located near the town of Odiham in Hampshire, England. 

Pilot standing on the wing of a Spitfire 400 Squadron

During WWII, Odiham was the base for R.C.A.F. Squadron 400 which flew Mustang and Spitfire aircraft on photographic reconnaissance work, collecting intelligence for Allied invasion planners, and before-and-after photographs of Allied air attacks against German V-1 flying bomb launching sites. After the allied invasion of Europe in June 1944, it provided tactical photographic reconnaissance for the British Second Army in northwest Europe.

Bill Craig on left

The picture below was taken in front of 406 Squadron. Since Bill is not in the picture, it is not clear if he was stationed here, or simply had this picture in his collection.

R.C.A.F. Squadron 406 was formed at Acklington, Northumberland, England on May 10, 1941 as an R.C.A.F. ‘Night Squadron’. The unit flew Blenheim Beaufighter and Mosquito aircraft in the night defence of Britain. On Nov. 27, 1944 it was re-designated Intruder and converted to offensive operations over Europe. The Squadron was disbanded Sept. 1, 1945.

Loading a Mustang aircraft

Below, an aerial reconnaissance photo from the collection of Corporal William Craig

Based upon the pictures of aircraft, the pass  and the reconnaisance photos in Bill Craigs collection, it would appear most likely that he was with 400 squadron at Odiham.