Sgt T W Waugh
Pilot Officer - Thomas William Waugh 
Thomas William Waugh was born in March 1921 in the parish of Wapentake of Harthill, an ancient village 1 1/2 miles north of Hull in the East Riding of Yorkshire. 

Billy as he was known, lived with his father Thomas and the mother Emily Waugh at 1 Hardwick Street, Blenheim Street, Hull. His father was a merchant seaman and was often away from home. 

Billy's close friend, who lived in Perth Street, was Herbet Cooke and together they attended Middleton Street School. After leaving school Billy was employed as a joiner by Sandersons of Ella Street, Hull. 

During the summer, Billy and Herbert enjoyed cycling from their homes in Hull to the seaside at Flamborough Head, North Landing beach, some forty miles away.

In 1933, Billy and Herbert also enjoyed roller skating at the White City Rink, Anlaby Road, Hull and they often helped the manager during busy times, as floor staff. 
It was also at the rink where Billy met Joan Fussey and Herbert met his future wife, Peggy Lloyd. Joan and Billy married in Hull in 1942 with Herbert as their best man.

The last time Herbert was to see Billy, was when he visited him wearing his RAF uniform. Herbert was most distressed when he finally learnt that Billy had been lost in action. 

Joan remarried in April 1948 to Richard Parkin and they went on to have a daughter, Wendy, on 23rd November 1951. Joan died suddenly of a heart attack on 6th May 1983 at the age of 63 and sadly, she was never to see her two grandsons. 

Richard said that Joan had always cherished a handsome oak sideboard that Billy had made when he was working at Sandersons, and Joan made sure that it always took pride of place in every house she lived in. 

Richard said "I know she was completely devastated when Billy was lost and I don't think that she every really got over that. Although we had a very happy 35 years together. I don't think that I ever took his place". 


Thomas William Waugh completed his Pilot training in Canada, he would also have been required to fly one or two familiarisation or "second dickey" trips with a veteran crew in order to expose him to operational hazards and the German defences. Although the new Pilots did not take any of his crew with him on these trips, these trips usually counted towards the Pilot's tour of operations.

A crew was formed by the Pilot, picking out each crew member from those available at the Operational Training Unit (OTU). These units were one of the final steps in an aircrews' training period before they reached an operational squadron.  

Thomas William (Billy) Waugh was 22 years old when his climbed aboard ND 474. 
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