The son of Richard and Margaret, Bill Air made good use of his time posted to Bachelor’s Hall as he met his wife there. On 5 Aug 1944, shortly after the Stand Down of Special Duties was announced, he married Margaret Joan Percival from Helions Bumpstead, near Haverhill, Suffolk in St Andrews Church in that village.
He was recorded as being 5 foot 2 1/2 inches with fair hair, blue eyes and a fair complexion.
| Unit or location | Role | Posted from | until |
|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Signals Support | Royal Signals Support | 18 Jun 1941 | 19 Oct 1944 |
| Bachelor's Hall Instation | Royal Signals Support | May 1941 | April 1942 |
| Omagh, Area 15 | Royal Signals Support | May 1942 | Unknown |
| Osterley, Area 16 | Royal Signals Support | May 1942 | Unknown |
| Byfield, Area 15A | Royal Signals Support | May 1942 | Unknown |
Solicitor's clerk
Bill enlisted in 55th Divisional Signals 22 Nov 1939 and was posted to Broadgreen, Liverpool. He served until 22 Feb 1946.
Joined Auxiliary Units as Lance Corporal 18 June 1941. Recorded as Corporal 15 Oct 1942 and Sergeant 7 Feb 1944. Served until 19 Oct 1944.
He is recorded as working in the field until 30 June 1942, when he is promoted to Corporal and is stationed at Coleshill House. Alf Ellis's diary records Bill Air was working in his Area in May 1942.
A note in the December 1942 Edition of the RSGB Bulletin records that by this date Bill Air, with the rank of Corporal, was the Clerk in charge of the Orderly Room at Coleshill, and as a result was known as "Bumph" to his colleagues.
He served in France from 6 Nov 1944 to 6 July 1945.
Wireless amateur callsign G2FWX. The 1939 register records him being on the National Wireless Register.
He was awarded an MBE in 1976 as Secretary and Chief Executive of Leicester and District Hosiery Manufacturers Association Ltd, for services to export.
Royal Signals Stand Down Photo caption
RSGB Bulletin June 1941, RSGB Bulletin Dec 1942
Alf Ellis Diary
Newcastle Journal 14 Aug 1944
Service Record