Little is known of S/Ldr Bill Cave at this time. He was pilot when he and his crew failed to return from a convoy patrol mission, of the Queen Mary. In his memoirs, pilot Ernest Allan (captain of one of four a/c that set out) notes that Cave & crew were on their second tour when lost. view details

Cave was awarded the DFC for his actions in attacking a U-boat whilst with 502 (Ulster) Sqdn, Royal Auxillary Air Force. An article in the Glasgow Post dated 06.01.1942 notes the award and that the Uboat was attacked with DC's then heavily strafed by the aircraft.

The following was submitted by Ernie Cromie, of the Ulster Aviation Society. Thank you Ernie.

"I'm happy to confirm that Bill Cave was with 502 Squadron and flying Whitley Z9124 'YG-T' when he attacked U-563 on 1 December 1941 in the Bay of Biscay, at 47.00 North, 11.35 West. Having dropped six depth charges which caused severe damage to the submarine, the aircraft then repeatedly strafed it, eventually causing it to submerge despite the severe damage. Notwithstanding the severity of the damage, U-563 eventually reached Lorient on 3 December from whence it was taken to Germany to be rebuilt. It returned to service but was sunk on 31 May 1943 after being attacked by aircraft of 58 and 228 Squadrons of the RAF and 10 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force. For the specific attack on U-563, Cave was immediately awarded the DFC which he received from the King at Buckingham Palace.

He was born in Leicester and that he had been a professional footballer with Doncaster Rovers"

In January 1943, 502 Sqdn began conversion to the Halifax, beginning operations in March.