Bill was born in Wandsworth and joined the Navy early on in World War II and found himself posted to HMS Suffolk – a cruiser which picked up the Bismark as she ran through the Denmark straight in 1941. As a young wireless operator, he was on HMS Suffolk and took down the message that the Bismark had sunk HMS Hood – something which he told me he will never ever forget.
Bill went on to serve on the Arctic Convoys in 1941 to 1942, and as such he qualified for the award of the Arctic Star medal, which commemorates those men who undertook what Winston Churchill once called “the worst journey in the world”.
My own father, Reginald Francois, served in the Royal Navy in World War II so I was very pleased to present Bill, who lives in Rayleigh, with his medal in a small ceremony in the Rayleigh Conservative Club, in my role as Minister of State for the Armed Forces – but also as the son on a Naval Veteran as well.
We owe a great debt to men like Bill who, by their bravery, ensured we can still live in a free country and I am sure my constituents will be pleased to know he has been honoured in this way.