• Operation Market Garden

Date of birth:

July 5th, 1918

Service number:

J15101

Nationality:

Canadian (1931-present, Constitutional Monarchy)

William Prest joined the military at Saskatoon on 18th July 1940. He received his primary training with No. 1 ITS where he graduated on 22nd November 1940. His advanced training stations were with No. 2 EFTS (graduated 26th January 1941) and No. 1 SFTS (graduated 28th April 1941). He was then stationed in England with the rank of Sergeant Pilot in December 1941. From August 1941 until 1943 he was stationed with No. 122 RCAF Squadron and was sen back to Canada in May 1943. On 16th February 1944 he was back in England with No. 443 RCAF Squadron and was transferred to No. 421 Squadron on 27th July 1944 where he served until 21st November 1944.
William Arnold Prest shot down two enemy planes and damaged four.

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Squadron Leader

Unit:

Squadron Leader No. 421 (RCAF) Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force

Awarded on:

July 31st, 1945

Awarded for:

Operation Market Garden

Citation:
"Squadron Leader Prest led his squadron on many patrols in support of the First Airborne Division. On one occasion a force of at least one hundred enemy aircraft was encountered. Displaying powerful leadership and courage Squadron Leader Prest continued to lead his squadron to attack this overwhelming force. In the engagement Squadron Leader Prest destroyed one enemy aircraft. During the first period the First Airborne Division was fighting at Arnhem, Squadron Leader Prest's squadron accounted for ten enemy aircraft destroyed and many other damaged and probably destroyed."

Royal decree No.29 dated 31st July 1945.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

• Photo 1: Margareth Villner
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