LEST WE FORGET
Squadron Leader William Walter BLESSING DSO DFC
Service No: 404648
Born: Glen Innes NSW, 2 October 1912
Enlisted in the RAAF: 11 October 1940 (at Brisbane QLD)
Unit: No. 105 Squadron (RAF), RAF Bourn, Cambridgeshire
Awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC), 6 April 1943 (Citation Title, No. 105 Squadron)
Awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO), 18 June 1943 (Citation Title: No. 105 Squadron)
Died: Air Operations: (No. 105 Squadron Mosquito aircraft ML946), France, 7 July 1944, Aged 31 Years
Buried: La Deliverande War Cemetery, Douvres, Calvados, France
CWGC Additional Information: Son of Walter Clinton Blessing and Elizabeth Mary Blessing, of Braidwood, New South Wales, Australia; husband of Audrey Pamela Blessing, of Stanmore, Middlesex, England.
Roll of Honour: Glen Innes NSW
Remembered: Panel 119, Commemorative Area, Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT
Remembered: Penrith City Memory Park, Penrith NSW
Remembered: Braidwood and District War Memorial, Braidwood NSW
Brother of Sergeant Wilson George Blessing (402219)
DFC Citation: In March 1943, this officer of 105 Squadron n flew the leading aircraft of a bomber force detailed to undertake a low level attack on railway workshops at Paderborn. These operations involving deep penetration into Germany in daylight demanded a high degree of efficiency. This sortie was executed exactly as planned and the success achieved was largely attributable to Flight Lieutenant Blessing’s fine leadership and great skill. This officer has taken part in seventeen sorties, all in daylight, invariably displaying great determination and efficiency. On two occasions he has flown his badly damaged aircraft back to base.” (London Gazette 6/4/1943 page 1571)
He was awarded the DSO in 1943 and was killed in action on 7th July 1944.
Mosquito ML946 took off from RAF Bourn at 1946 hours on the 7 July1944, detailed to be a primary target marker for an attack on Caen, France. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it failed to return to base. When at 32,000 feet over Normandy Beach Head the aircraft was attacked by an enemy night fighter and shot down. Pilot Officer Burke baled out and landed in allied held territory. Squadron Leader Blessing was killed
The crew members of ML946 were:
Squadron Leader William Walter Blessing DSO DFC (404648) (Pilot)
Pilot Officer D T Burke (170864) (RAFVR) (Navigator) Baled Out, Safe
References:
Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour On-Line Records (RAAF Casualty Information compiled by Alan Storr (409804))
Commonwealth War Graves Commission On-Line Records
Department of Veteran’s Affairs On-Line WWII Nominal Roll
National Archives of Australia On-Line Record A705, 166/5/600
Register of War Memorials in New South Wales On-Line