At the beginning of October, Ballarat lost its last surviving WWII prisoner of war.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
William Alexander Wilkie, known by most as Bill, died on Monday 1 October at the age of 93.
Mr Wilkie was born at the Novar Hospital on Webster Street and spent his formative years at Dana Street Primary School and with his parents Olive and Edward in their bakery.
In 1943 Mr Wilkie applied to join the Air Force and journeyed from Ballarat to Melbourne to Sydney for his enlistment.
After being made a Sargent, Bill’s travelling didn’t stop.
He boarded a ship to sail to America before traveling across to Scotland with 16,000 other servicemen.
He eventually graduated to the Lancaster Bombers, manning the rear gun, a job which was thought to be the most dangerous in the Air Force.
After seven successful air raids, Mr Wilkie’s final flight came on the 28 January 1945, when his bomber was struck 23,000 feet up in the sky.
After ejecting, Bill was taken prisoner by the Germans.
He was eventually moved to a Luftwaffe P.O.W camp for airmen near Nuremberg.
As the Russians moved deeper into Germany, Bill along with thousands of other prisoners were sent on the long march to Munich, 40 kilometres away.
On 29 April 1945 American General George Patton arrived to liberate Mr Wilkie and his fellow prisoners.
After coming home to Ballarat, he returned to his old job at M.B. John Drawing Offices just prior to his 21st birthday.
Following his retirement in 1991 Mr Wilkie joined Legacy when he became close with Vietman War veteran John Dellaca.
Mr Dellaca spoke fondly of the time he got to spend with Bill.
“I first met Bill when I started working at M.B. Johns in 1962, but it would be some years before I really got to know him,” he said.
“He was an excellent Legatee, the care, compassion and support that he gave to widows and families that set such an example to all of us.”
Legacy Ballarat paid their respects to Bill is a statement.
“The president and members of the Legacy Club of Ballarat sincerely regret the passing of Bill and an esteemed Legatee. We extend our sympathy to his family.”
Mr Wilkie is survived by his children Robert and John, daughter-in-law Dianne and extended family.
Have you signed up to The Courier's variety of news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in Ballarat.
