A Scots Second World War veteran has come face-to-face with the modern version of the aircraft he
served in during the war.
Retired Warrant Officer Bill Shepherd, aged 99, was a very special guest at RAF Lossiemouth’s friends and
families day, Lossie Fest on Saturday (22 July). He witnessed an air display by an F-35 aircraft, which
conducts the precision bombing role similar to that delivered by No 156 Squadron and the Lancaster aircraft
Bill flew in during the war. He also took a salute from the RAF Falcon Display Team as they landed.
Air Gunner Bill was on his last of 40 war time missions over Essen in Germany when the aircraft’s oxygen
system failed. He singlehandedly revived the crew, including the pilot, while simultaneously defending the
Lancaster from attack by enemy fighters. His heroism saw him awarded the George Medal, given ‘for acts of
great bravery’.
Having lost his original, RAF Lossiemouth also presented a replica of this George Medal in a special
ceremony earlier in the week where he was awarded honorary membership of the Warrant Officers’ and
Sergeants’ Mess.
After the war Bill worked in agricultural sales. He has lived sheltered housing in Forres for the last 15 years
but his story only came to light after he was befriended by Scots SAS veteran Tommy McLeod and brought
to RAF Lossiemouth’s attention.
Bill said:
“I’ve had such a wonderful day. The RAF has changed a lot but there are still things that are
recognisable to me, and it has been nice to see how much the station has grown since I was here
during the war."
“It was wonderful to see the F-35 and the Typhoon flying displays – they both move very differently
to a Lancaster!”
Group Captain Jim Lee, Station Commander RAF Lossiemouth, paid tribute to Bill and his generation:
“The RAF of today, and the nation, owe a great deal of gratitude to the men and women of Bill’s
generation. The technology has changed but the most important thing of all is our people. That’s why
Bill’s exploits in the air continue to inspire us and are as relevant today as they were 80 years ago.
“It was RAF Lossiemouth’s honour to have him here.”
The incident that won Bill the George Medal wasn’t the first time he had cheated death. His aircraft was
badly shot up over France earlier in the war and exploded after landing at its Cambridgeshire base. Bill was
the only survivor.
