Gregory, William James "Bill" "Sticks"
- Date of birth:
- November 23rd, 1913 (Hartlepool/Durham, Great Britain)
- Date of death:
- October 6th, 2001
- Service number:
- 751013/115577
- Nationality:
- British
Biography
Promotions:
22nd January 1942: Pilot Officer on probation (emergency):
1st October 1942: Flying Officer on probation (War subs.);
22nd January 1944: Flight Lieutenant (War subs.)
9th May 1946: Flight Lieutenant (seniority 1 januari 1943).
Do you have more information about this person? Inform us!
Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Acting Squadron Leader
- Awarded on:
- July 17th, 1945
"Since being recommended for a bar to the D.F.C., this officer has taken part in many operational missions over enemy territory, in the course of winch he participated in the destruction of eight enemy aircraft. Whilst supporting an attack on Cologne his aircraft was damaged by enemy fighters, the port engine, being set on fire. By his skill as a navigator Sqn. Ldr. Gregory enabled his pilot to avoid the persistent attacks of the enemy aircraft and assisted him during the return flight. On another occasion he and his pilot engaged two enemy fighters in a combat which lasted 25 minutes, destroying one of the enemy. In May, 1944, Sqn. Ldr. Gregory assisted his pilot to destroy a Focke Wulf 190 while returning from a. sortie against Aalborg. Shortly afterwards, the aircraft was severely damaged by a Messerscnmitt 109. With their petrol draining rapidly from the damaged tanks, they attempted flying the aircraft to base, but were forced down on the North Sea and rescued after 30 minutes by a naval vessel. For the past seven months this officer has fulfilled the duties of Station Navigation Officer, in which capacity his experience anil advice have been most valuable."
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Pilot Officer
- Awarded on:
- August 4th, 1942
"This officer has taken part in the destruction of six enemy aircraft at night. He has shown great skill and devotion to duty."
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Acting Flight Lieutenant
- Unit:
- No. 141 Squadron, Royal Air Force
- Awarded on:
- July 16th, 1943
Citation:
"As observer, this officer has completed much operational flying and, by his outstanding ability, has proved himself to be a most valuable member of aircraft crew. By his personal example, intuition and zeal, Flight Lieutenant Gregory has contributed materially to the high standard of efficiency of the observers of his squadron. Since being awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross he has taken part in many sorties and has contributed to the destruction of at least 4 enemy aircraft."
Second DFC received as a bar for on the ribbon of the first DFC.
"As observer, this officer has completed much operational flying and, by his outstanding ability, has proved himself to be a most valuable member of aircraft crew. By his personal example, intuition and zeal, Flight Lieutenant Gregory has contributed materially to the high standard of efficiency of the observers of his squadron. Since being awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross he has taken part in many sorties and has contributed to the destruction of at least 4 enemy aircraft."
Second DFC received as a bar for on the ribbon of the first DFC.
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Flight Sergeant
- Unit:
- No. 29 Squadron, Royal Air Force
- Awarded on:
- October 17th, 1941
Recommendation:
"In August 1940, Flight Sergeant Gregory whilst flying in a Blenheim with the late Pilot Officer Rhodes on a night patrol, intercepted a Heinkel 111 which Rhodes over-shot and Gregory, with great coolness, gave the enemy aircraft a long burst from the beam gun with a single Vickers gas-operated gun, destroying the enemy aircraft. Again, in July, 1941, by quick and accurate work on the A.I., he enabled Flt.Lt.J.R.D.Braham, D.F.C., to destroy a Junkers 88 at 6,000 feet in the Thames Estuary and again on 12th September, 1941, although his pilot was apparently overtaking an enemy aircraft very rapidly, by clear and precise instructions, he enabled his pilot to destroy yet another enemy aircraft. Flight Sergeant Gregory has been in the Squadron since 19th May 1940, during which time he has always shown great keenness to contact the enemy and has been an inspiration to the other operators. I therefore most strongly recommend him for the award of the Distinguished Flying Medal."
"In August 1940, Flight Sergeant Gregory whilst flying in a Blenheim with the late Pilot Officer Rhodes on a night patrol, intercepted a Heinkel 111 which Rhodes over-shot and Gregory, with great coolness, gave the enemy aircraft a long burst from the beam gun with a single Vickers gas-operated gun, destroying the enemy aircraft. Again, in July, 1941, by quick and accurate work on the A.I., he enabled Flt.Lt.J.R.D.Braham, D.F.C., to destroy a Junkers 88 at 6,000 feet in the Thames Estuary and again on 12th September, 1941, although his pilot was apparently overtaking an enemy aircraft very rapidly, by clear and precise instructions, he enabled his pilot to destroy yet another enemy aircraft. Flight Sergeant Gregory has been in the Squadron since 19th May 1940, during which time he has always shown great keenness to contact the enemy and has been an inspiration to the other operators. I therefore most strongly recommend him for the award of the Distinguished Flying Medal."
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Awarded on:
- March 21st, 1946
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
Sources
- Photo 1: Michael Braham
- - Third Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 35312 published on the 14 October 1941
- The London Gazette of 17th March 1942, Issue 35491
- Second Supplement to The London Gazette of 31st July 1942, Issue 35654, dated 4th August 1942
- Second Supplement to The London Gazette of 20th November 1942, Issue 35791, dated 27th November 1942 - Third Supplement to The London Gazette of 13th July 1943, Issue 36094, dated 16th July 1943
- Third Supplement to The London Gazette of 24th January 1944, Issue 36351, dated 28th January 1944
- Fifth Supplement to The London Gazette of 13th July 1945, Issue 37182, dated 17th July 1945
- Second Supplement to The London Gazette of 2nd January 1948, Issue 38169, dated 6th January 1948
- Telegraph
- https://www.bonhams.com/
Photo
Looking for reliable information or news facts about WW2? Do you want to create your own battlefield tour to sights of wars from the past? Or are you interested in war medals and their recipients? TracesOfWar.com tells you more!
More information
© STIWOT, 1999-2025. All rights reserved. Privacy statement, cookies, disclaimer and copyright