William Mooney

18/08/1915 – 11/12/1945 – aged 30

William Mooney was born on the 18th August 1915, coming to St Bede’s on the 13th September 1927, and leaving on the 19th July 1930. He became a motor mechanic and married Ann Rushton in 1939. 

He enlisted in the RAF Volunteer Reserve in 1940 and received his commission, serving as a Flight Engineer with 50 Squadron as Flight Engineer before being seconded to 630 Squadron. In December 1943, he was awarded the DFM for ‘Courage and efficiency in a high degree’. In December 1944, he received his DFC for ‘gallantry and devotion to duty’. He was sent to Burma and was stationed there when the War ended. He was then grounded and assigned to administrative duties in Calcutta as Squadron Adjutant. William was killed, along with his friend, George Potts Storey, shortly after the War whilst off duty and walking through the streets of Calcutta. They were set upon by a mob and beaten to death. William was thirty years old.

Mr Alasdair Power – Head of History