William MacMillan "Mac" Gilmour RAF   W/C DFC,   DFM Was a bank clerk in Scotland Joined the RAF 26 November 1938 in Glasgow Called up in 1939 and posted to 5 ITW Hastings in September To 7 OTU Hawarden in August 1940 To 616 Squadron on 28 August 1940 To 611 in October Attached to 54 Squadron for two weeks in March 1941 Back to 57 OTU Hawarden to instruct To 611 in April 1942 To 111 early in September & going to North Africa P/O & F/O ranks announced in Gazette of 8 Sept. 1942 Back to UK, April 1943 To 239 Squadron on Mustangs in May for TacR work To 174 Squadron on 18 June 1943 To 1 SLAIS in July for one month (F/L in August 1943) Then to 83 Group HQ until May 1944 Then posted to 19 Sqn. (Mustangs) leading them on D-Day Was a Wing Commander by War's end Underwent convalesence due to stress Left the RAF and joined Westclox as a purchasing agent Did some defense contract work Became a successful businessman Died 26 March 1955 from a botched appendectomy

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THE LONDON GAZETTE, 22 JULY, 1941, Air Ministry, ROYAL AIR FORCE

The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the following awards in recognition of gallantry displayed in flying operations against the enemy:

Distinguished Flying Medal

Sergeant William MacMillan GILMOUR (742733), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 611 Squadron

This airman has displayed excellent qualities as a fighter pilot. During the recent intensive operations over enemy territory, Sergeant Gilmour has destroyed three hostile aircraft. He has set an excellent example throughout.

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"Four pilots of No. 611 Squadron RAF walking away from a Supermarine Spitfire Mark VB at Hornchurch, Essex...They are (left to right): F/L Eric Lock, P/O Wilfred "Smitty" Duncan-Smith, F/O Peter Dexter, and Sergeant W M Gilmour. Lock arrived at 611 Squadron as a flight commander, having already shot down 24 enemy aircraft. He was to add a further 2 to his score before he was shot down and killed by ground fire during another daylight sweep near Boulogne, France, on 3 August 1941. Duncan-Smith later commanded No. 64 Squadron RAF and led fighter wings in the United Kingdom, North Africa and Italy. He finished the war with a score of 19 victories. Dexter was killed a week after this photograph was taken, when he collided with an aircraft of 54 Squadron RAF over Boulogne while escorting bombers to Hazebrouck. Gilmour was subsequently commissioned and commanded No. 19 Squadron RAF in 1944."

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THE LONDON GAZETTE, 30 MARCH 1943, Suppliment to the Gazette of 26 MARCH, 1943, Air Ministry, ROYAL AIR FORCE

The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the following awards:

Distinguished Flying Cross

Flight Lieutenant William McMillan GILMOUR D.F.M. (107773), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 111 Squadron

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Victories Include :

9 / 3 / 3

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Thanks go out to

Richard (son of Mac's cousin) for the infos & pics

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