Arthur George Williams, DFC – Royal Air Force

Flying Officer Arthur George Williams, DFC – Royal Air Force

Arthur George Williams was born in 1920 in Skewen, the son of Horace Henry Williams and Gladys Hughes, who had married in 1915.

1921 Census

His early childhood is captured in the 1921 Census, which records the Williams family living at 8 Picton Place, Skewen. Horace Henry, aged 32 and originally from Birmingham, worked as a Bioscope Operator Electrician at the New Cinema, while Gladys, aged 29, undertook household duties. Their only child at the time was Arthur George, aged 1, growing up in a home shaped by early cinema, electrical work, and the emerging modernity of post‑war Britain.

Military Service

Arthur later enlisted in the Royal Air Force, serving at RAF Middleton St George, County Durham — a major wartime airfield used by bomber and fighter units. During his service, Arthur distinguished himself and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC), marking him as an airman of notable courage, skill, and devotion to duty.

Mosquito T.III

Fatal Accident

On 11 May 1946, Arthur was killed while flying a Mosquito T.III. During a training flight, the aircraft entered a tight turn while flying on instruments, lost control, and spun into the ground at Thornley Hall, Durham. Although the war had ended, RAF flying remained hazardous, and many experienced aircrew were lost in post‑war accidents during continued training and operational duties.

Arthur George Williams, DFC 
Coedffranc Cemetery credit - findagrave

Burial

Arthur’s body was brought home to Skewen and laid to rest at Coedffranc Cemetery, returning him to the community where he had been born and raised.