William Douglas Weir

 Sergeant William Douglas Weir – Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

Sergeant William Douglas Weir, aged 21, served with the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve during the Second World War. He was one of thirteen airmen killed on 12^th May 1941, when RAF Linton-on-Ouse, in North Yorkshire, was bombed by the German Luftwaffe.

William was born on 4 September 1919 in Swansea, the son of John Stuart Weir and Gladys Mary Weir (née Jones). His parents were married in July 1915 at St. Gabriel’s Church, Swansea, and his baptism took place at Christ Church, Swansea.

1921 Census

By the time of the 1921 Census, the Weir family were living at 54 Brunswick Street, Swansea. John S. Weir, aged 32 and born in Scotland, was employed as a Boilermaker by Harris Bros., Cambrian Dry Dock, while his wife Gladys, aged 29 and born at Cape Verde, managed the household. Also living with them was Gladys’s brother, Sidney B. Jones, employed at the Prince of Wales Dry Dock as a Fitter’s Helper. The couple had two sons — John Malcolm, aged four, and William Douglas, aged one.

1939 Register

By the 1939 Register, John and Gladys were still residing at 54 Brunswick Street, Swansea.

William later joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, training as an airman during the early years of the war. He was posted to RAF Linton-on-Ouse, one of the RAF’s most important bomber airfields at the time, which was home to squadrons flying operational missions over occupied Europe.

RAF Linton-on-Ouse

RAF Linton-on-Ouse

RAF Linton-on-Ouse, situated near Linton-on-Ouse, North Yorkshire, was one of the Royal Air Force’s principal bomber airfields during the Second World War. Construction began in 1937, and the station officially opened on 13^th May 1937 as part of the RAF’s expansion programme.

In the early stages of the war, bomber aircraft from the station undertook leaflet-dropping missions over Germany before progressing to offensive bombing operations. Aircraft from Linton-on-Ouse took part in raids on targets in Norway, the Netherlands, Germany, and Italy.

The Luftwaffe raid of 12^th May 1941 was one of the most serious attacks on the base. Three enemy bombers struck the airfield, killing 13 RAF personnel and destroying several aircraft and buildings. The men who died were:

• Group Captain Frederick F. Garraway, OBE, RAF, aged 41 – buried at All Saints Churchyard, Newton-on-Ouse, Yorkshire
• Sergeant George Balmforth, RAF, aged 28 – buried at All Saints Churchyard, Newton-on-Ouse, Yorkshire
• Flight Sergeant Victor S. Dodd, RAFVR, aged 20 – buried at St. Michael Churchyard, West Midlands
• Aircraftman 1st Class Gordon Idris V. Eggleton, RAFVR, aged 21 – buried at Ryde Cemetery, Isle of Wight
• Sergeant John Kay, RAF, aged 19 – buried at Holy Trinity Churchyard, Cornforth, Durham
• Sergeant Edwin H. W. Kemp, RAFVR – buried at All Saints Churchyard, Newton-on-Ouse, Yorkshire
• Sergeant Reginald D. Kirby, RAFVR, aged 32 – buried at Gorleston Cemetery, Great Yarmouth
• Aircraftman 2nd Class Harold Lackey, RAF – buried at St. James the Great Churchyard, Solihull
• Corporal Kenneth H. Marloth, RAF, aged 21 – buried at All Saints Churchyard, Newton-on-Ouse, Yorkshire
• Aircraftman 1st Class Kenneth H. Moody, RAFVR, aged 28 – buried at All Saints Churchyard, Newton-on-Ouse, Yorkshire
• Sergeant William Douglas Weir, RAFVR, aged 21 – buried at Oystermouth Cemetery, Swansea
• Aircraftman 2nd Class Herbert Messon, RAFVR, aged 19 – buried at Edmonton Cemetery, Enfield
• Aircraftman 2nd Class Arthur Dale, RAFVR – buried at Witton Cemetery, Birmingham

William Douglas Weir
Oystermouth Cemetery

The loss of these men was deeply felt across the station and within their home communities. Their dedication and sacrifice serve as a poignant reminder of the dangers faced by those serving at Britain’s airfields, even far from the front lines.

Later History of RAF Linton-on-Ouse

Following the war, RAF Linton-on-Ouse continued to play a major role in Royal Air Force operations. It became an important training station, hosting units responsible for the instruction of bomber and later jet pilots during the Cold War.

The base remained active until 2020, when it was formally closed. In February 2021, the site was sold after the Ministry of Defence was unable to identify a new operational use for it.

Over its long history, RAF Linton-on-Ouse trained and housed thousands of aircrew and personnel, many of whom went on to serve with distinction. The station’s legacy endures — not only through its decades of service but also through the memory of those, like Sergeant William Douglas Weir, who gave their lives while serving there.