Death of former Colditz Prisoner of War

Bill, after training as RAF aircrew at the beginning of the war, was captured in Greece in 1941 when his Sunderland flying boat crashed while evacuating troops to Crete. When he recovered from his injuries he was sent to Stalag Luft III where he and Jack Best managed to tunnel out of the camp. Eventually, their recapture resulted in them being sent to the escaper’s prison at Colditz.

News of Bill’s life and death was brought to us by fellow aviator Bruce Micklewright (S 48-51). After flying Sabres for the Canadian Air Force Bruce spent many years as a Cathay Pacific pilot. When he retired he restored a Tiger Moth and finished it in the Framlingham colours of chocolate and blue. This was spotted by Bill Goldfinch at Old Sarum airfield and, with a mutual interest the pair became firm friends in the seven years before Bill died.