W H B Bilton Escape Story
During World War 2, my Grandfather, W H B Bilton, served in the RAF with 10 Squadron Bomber Command, stationed in Melbourne, near York in the UK. Documentation and information saved and connected with his time in the RAF still exist, some of which I have reproduced here.
What appears here is based around the fascinating story of his escape from Nazi occupied France after his Halifax bomber crashed there. He was missing for 5 and a half months and there was little hope that he would be found.
The information publicised is as close to the original information as I can possibly make it (some has been translated into English from French and is therefore a little rough around the edges) – I have kept it as accurate as possible.
- Twenty Years Ago – Warrant Officer W H B Bilton’s recollection of his time in hiding in Nazi occupied France
- You have come back!… You have not forgotten? – Translated reproduction of a newspaper article published in France Soir in 1963 that reported on the post-war harsh treatment by locals of the women who helped hide my Grandfather from capture
- Photos – Small collection to accompany these stories
Sadly, my Grandfather passed away in 1983 when I was only 16 months old, so I have no means of obtaining information other than what remains available. If by some chance you have come across these pages and you have information that would be of relevance, then please contact me as it would be great to find out what you have.