Trafford

Born on the 21st November 1915, the birth being registered during the
December quarter 1915 in the Bucklow R.D. - ref: 8a/279, the son of Thomas
William & Lillian Prest (nee Fox).

Attended Glebelands Rd School.   Employed as an Articled Clerk at Street
Brown & Co, Accountants, Manchester. 

1939 National Registration - 5 Holly Villa, Lyons Fold, Ashton upon Mersey.
    Thomas W. Prest - Married - born on the 24th December 1884 - occ:
Grocer's Manager.    Lillian Prest - Married - born on the 23rd November
1880 - occ: Housewife.   William Prest - Single - born on the 21st November
1915 - occ: Incorporated Accountant.

He was a keen swimmer and tennis player, playing for the Ashton on Mersey
Tennis Club.  In December 1939, he qualified as an A.S.A.A. Incorporated
Accountant.  [The September census states that he already was an
Incorporated Accountant?]}

Joined the Accounts Section of the RAF in July 1940 and, given his skills,
he was immediately promoted to the rank of Sergeant.   However, wishing to
do more for the war effort, after 2½ years he volunteered for flying
duties and became a Navigator.

 During the June quarter 1943 he married - Lilian Ada Anderson in the
Hendon R.D. - ref: 3a/1345 and resided on Holmwood Grove, Mill Hill,
London.

Flying with 467 Sqn, William took off at 22.03hrs from R.A.F. Waddington,
Lincolnshire, in a Lancaster Mk.III, No. DV240 PO-D on a bombing operation
over Nürnberg.    Outbound, they were shot down by a night-fighter and
crashed at Westum, in the southern outskirts of Sinzig. Out of the 7 man
crew, four died in the crash and 3 were taken prisoner.   Originally the
four who were killed were buried in the Communal Cemetery at Sinzig, but
after the War, their graves were relocated in the Rheinberg War Cemetery.

M.I. - "For our tomorrow he gave his today.  Loved and remembered always".

His wife - Lillian, lived with their baby daughter - Joan in London.  Later
(after 12th June 1944), the house was wrecked by a V.1. Flying Bomb, so
they moved to his parents house in Lyons Fold.