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ANDREW, William Henry (1920-1943) – Royal Air Force

William Henry Andrew was born at Badsey in 1920, the eldest of seven children of William Henry Andrew, a market gardener’s labourer, and his wife, Violet Annie (née Hartwell).  He was a pupil at Badsey Council School from 1924-1934. 

At the start of the war, at the time of the 1939 Register, William was working as a lorry driver, transporting flour and corn.  He lived with his parents and siblings at Sylvan Villas, Chapel Street (present-day No 19), Badsey.

William joined the Royal Air Force (Service No 1043782), 104 Squadron.  A squadron detachment was sent to Malta in October 1941, moving to Egypt in January 1942.  The squadron later moved to captured airfields in Tunisia,

Leading Aircraftman Andrew was killed in Tunisia on 18th July 1943, aged 22.  He is buried in Enfidaville War Cemetery, Tunisia.  The following words are inscribed on his grave:  “Beautiful memories are all we have left of the one we loved and shall never forget.”