Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

"Australians in the Battle of Britain. 30 October 1940. Bill Millington

On 30 October 1940—during a day that Tom Neil would later recall as ‘a miserable, bitty and perfectly bloody day—23 year-old Pilot Officer William Henry Millington, Jr, DFC, took off on his last sortie.

The squadron was patrolling North Weald aerodrome at midday, at about 20,000 feet. Then, according to the squadron diarist:

‘8–10 Messerschmitt 109s [were] sighted at 28,000 feet. These enemy aircraft scattered and individual chases took place. Pilots noticed that groups of 109s repeatedly flew out to sea and then turned back again as if to entice others out to sea.’

It seems, according to squadron historian Brian Cull, that Bill succumbed to the enticement as, after ‘finding himself caught up in a series of sporadic actions...over the Channel...[h]is aircraft was last seen chasing a German fighter out to sea; it is believed Bill was the victim of Fw Bielefeldt of 3 Staffel [I/JG51] who claimed a Hurricane at about this time.’

The strange thing of it is, that Tom Neil, who had taken off on the same patrol but had to return to base with engine trouble, was not entirely convinced about the enticement scenario:

‘It was said on that fatal day that the Hun 109s enticed our squadron out into the Channel, and it may be so, although it is probably just conjecture. Much more certain is the fact that, if the Hurricanes were at 28,000 feet—which apparently they were—they were far above their best operating height and were fighting at a great disadvantage.’

Certainly, Tom did not recall anything of Bill forsaking normal fighter practice and ‘being particularly individualistic, or going off at dawn on special lone forays, as has been suggested. He may have done so but I can’t bring any such incidents to mind’.

On that sad day, ‘with the loss of Bill Millington especially upsetting’, Tom could barely believe that Bill was missing: ‘I always DID feel that he was sufficiently competent and experienced NOT to be shot down, so it came as something of a shock when he disappeared when over the Channel.’

Tom hoped that Bill would turn up but ‘the fact that he had been over the Channel seemed to reduce that possibility’.

Bill’s disappearance was felt by all. As Tich Palliser recalled it, ‘the whole squadron was sick when Bill was lost; he had been well liked, was a nice lad and had made a great impression on the squadron. He was very much missed.’

And indeed he was especially missed by his furred and feathered friends. According to Tom Neil: ‘In dispersal the little dog Pipsqueak and Wilfred the duck wandered about, mournful reminders of their absent master. If only they knew! But, perhaps they did.’

From his first victory on 9 July 1940, Bill had accumulated a total of 9 and 2 shared destroyed, 4 probables and 3 damaged. He had lived his life under the principles of Scout Law, in particular ‘Freedom, Honour and Fair Play’ and, since leaving his family to go to England to serve his mother land, he ‘had endeavoured to live up to those standards dictated by Honour and Chivalry’. He was sure that he had not failed his parents in living up to these ideals. In a final accolade from his squadron friend Tom Neil, it is clear he had not:

‘I knew him to be a brave and capable colleague and friend, who fought with distinction and was a credit to himself, to his parents, and to all who were close to him. He served both Britain and Australia well. He answered the call to arms and gave all he had to give—with good grace and with cheerful willingness. And as they might well be tempted to say in Australia, ‘G’d on yer, mate!’
 
Bill Millington, born in Newcastle UK and raised in Edwardstown South Australia disappeared without a trace. On this, the second last day of the Battle of Britain, and the last day of 249 Squadron’s operations in the Battle—there was bad weather and no activity on the 31st—Bill became the 13th Australian entitled to the Battle of Britain Clasp to die. He is remembered on Panel 9 of the Runnymede Memorial." - SOURCE (australiansinthebattleofbritain.blogspot.com.au)

Son of William Henry and Elizabeth Hay Millington, of Edwardstown, South Australia

S.A. Pilot's
Last Letter Home
The parents of Pilot-Officer W.H. Millington, DFC, of the RAF, Mr. and Mrs. W.H. Millington, of Stanton Street, Edwardstown recently received a letter from Miss Celia McDonald, of the Isles a sister of the  present Lord of the Isles, enclosing a letter from their son written before he was posted missing and later posted as presumed killed in action.
Miss McDonald wrote:—
Bill entrusted this letter (to his parents) to me a long time ago and I have not sent it to you sooner because I knew you had such a strong feeling that he would still turn up, and, like you, I hoped and  hoped. But now they tell me from the Air Ministry thot since so many months have passed without news of him we must presume that he was killed. . . . You, his mother can indeed be proud of him  and I, one of his many friends, can be grateful for his trust and affection and for the inspiration and help I gained from his greet unselfish spirit." In his letter to his parents, Pilot-Officer Millington, who  was also known as "Terrier," wrote:— 
My Dear Parents— 
I have asked Miss McDonald of the Isles, who has been a particularly good friend to me, to forward this short note, together with ony of my personal effects you may desire in the event of some untoward incident. The possibility of a hasty departure from this life is ever present. I have endeavored to adjust my personal affairs as well as possible under the circumstances. I go forth to battte,  light of heart, and determined to do my bit for the noble cause for which my country is fighting. Having studied the subject from all angles, I am certain that freedom, liberty and democracy will  eventually prove victorious whatever the cost. Being British I am proud of my country-and its people, proud to serve under the Union Jack, and regard it as an Englishman's privilege to fight for all  those things that make life worth living, freedom, honor and fair play—the things which have mode our Empire what it is today. 
Since leaving home, I have endeavored to live up to those standards dictated by honor and chivairy, one am sure that I have not failed you. For ony sorrow or suffering I may have caused, I sincerely
apologise, but please do not grieve over my passing. I would not have otherwise.
Flying has meant more to me than just a career or means of livelihood. The companionship of men and boys with similar interests, the intoxication of speed, the rush of air and the pulsating beat of the motor, awakes some answering chord deep down which is indescribable. 
Farewell,
Your loving son,
BILL.