Foley, William (1913 - )

William's early schooling was at Randwick Public and Marist Brothers Randwick. He attended De La Salle High School at Armidale. During 1936-37 he attended Armidale Teachers' College in the Agriculture Section.

On 28 March 1942 he enlisted in the RAAF as an aircraftsman and served in Canada and England during World War II as a Pilot Officer. He undertook bombing missions over Germany during April to June 1944 and was shot down over France in late June 1944. He journeyed across country, sheltered by patriotic French people. In August he was united with a troop of Americans engaged in the liberation. He refused a lift back to England with them as he wanted to see the French reaction to the liberation.

On 5 September 1944 William boarded a craft to return to England and on 9 September 1944 his father received a telegram to say he had arrived safely in England after previously being reported missing in action. He was discharged from the RAAF on 20 August 1945.

[Brief Biography compiled by Robin Hammond, January/February 2004]